What is a CF

Most people are surprised to learn that in order to become a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP), there is still one more step after graduate school before becoming a licensed/certified SLP who can practice independently. That last step is completing a CF. Now, you may be asking yourself “What is a CF?”.

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) states that ” the CF experience is a minimum of 1,260 hours and a minimum of 36 weeks of full-time experience or its part-time equivalent.” ASHA goes on to state that 80% of the CF experience must be in direct client contact and 20% may be spent doing other activities such as in services. CFs have 4 years (48 months) to complete the CF experience. Most people are able to complete their CF within the 9-month time frame, and after 5 semesters of grad school (2.5 years), this will fly by!

How do I find a CF

In addition to ASHA’s hour requirement (see above), CFs must be supervised (mentored) by an SLP who meets the following criteria:

• hold a current CCC-SLP;
• have a minimum of 9 months of full-time (or its part-time equivalent) clinical experience after earning the CCC-SLP; and
• have completed a minimum of 2 hours of professional development in the area of supervision after earning the CCC-SLP.

In terms of supervision, SLPs must provide 6 hours of in-person direct supervision and 6 hours of indirect supervision activities during each third of the CF experience. This equates to 18 hours of direct and 18 hours of indirect supervision during the full CF experience. Some states may require more supervision and some populations may require more supervision (i.e., trach/vent patients, NICU).

CFs can work in any setting. Although the guidelines about CFs working in telepractice vs. in-person are changing frequently. So, be sure to double-check the guidelines before accepting a telepractice position! CF positions are paid, if someone tells you that the position is not paid- RUN!

Choosing a CF

First, consider the setting in which you want to work after your CF. If you are interested in working in a school, then look for CFs in school systems. If you are interested in a medical setting, consider CFs in those settings. Now, that being said, your CF will not determine the trajectory of your career. I did home health for my CF and said I would never work in a school. Throughout my 15-year career, I have spent most of it working in the schools. You can’t beat the schedule 😀

Second, consider what your options really are. If you are limited to a specific location, you may have fewer options. Even if you are not limited by location or other factors, there may be fewer CF options than you expected. The job market is constantly changing and while the career outlook for SLPs is great, there are fewer options for a CF. A lot of employers want someone who is licensed and can hit the ground running independently. It’s easier (and cheaper) for them.

Your CF is a chance for you to spread your wings and become more independent. It’s also a time to learn more about yourself and what you are comfortable with and what you are not. You may get your dream job only to discover that you hate it. That is O.K.! You may accept the first job offer you get and find a different setting after obtaining your Cs. That is O.K. too! You may find that there aren’t as many options for a CF as you expected. It will be O.K. The best thing about our profession is that there is a big demand for us and there is flexibility to move around settings.

During the interview, make sure you confirm that there is an SLP who can meet ASHA requirements for supervision. Also, ask what their expectations for you are and what the caseload is like. Some settings are harder than others! Make sure you know what to expect so there are no surprises. For interview tips, check out my post on SLP Clinical Practicum Interview Questions.

Negative Experiences

Unfortunately, negative experiences do happen. These may range from personality differences to unethical behavior. I had the CF from hell. Seriously, my supervisor was so mean. Her expectations were not realistic and she had some serious professional issues. Looking back, I should not have stayed, but at the time, I was worried about losing all of my hours and having to start over. So, I toughed it out and learned a lot about how not to treat people.

I mention my experience, to let you know that not everything goes as expected BUT it will be o.k. In the event that your CF is unbearable (or unethical), you can leave. It’s a personal decision because there are many factors to consider. For example, the supervisor should be signing off on your hours during each third segment of the CF. If they have not, you may lose those hours if they choose to retaliate and not sign off on them. If you are in this position, reach out to ASHA to talk about what your options are and then make the best decision for yourself.

What questions do you have about a CF? Let us know in the comments below. ⬇️