Introduction

The Mutual Recognition of Credentials Agreement (MRA) was established in 2004 by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), the Canadian Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (CASLPA), the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), and the Speech Pathology Association of Australia (SPA). In 2008 the New Zealand Speech-language Therapists' Association (NZSTA) and the Irish Association of Speech and Language Therapists (IASLT) were included in this agreement, producing a new document. 

It is an agreement which allows members of signatory associations to apply for mutual recognition of their credentials from another signatory association. The premise of substantial equivalence underlies the agreement, i.e. under certain terms and conditions an individual’s credentials are deemed substantially equivalent (MRA Agreement 2008).  This is not equality or reciprocity, as each of the signatory associations has specific requirements for applicants.

Who can apply under the MRA:

• ASHA certificate holders
• certified members of CASLPA
• certified members of RCSLT
• certified members of Speech Pathology Australia
• full members of IASLT

There are additional requirements and these can can be downloaded here.

Overseas applicants seeking additional information on applying for membership with the NZSTA under the MRA should follow the link here.

To view the Guide to Evidence of Dysphagia Competency follow the link here.

For further additional information on the MRA please refer to the Frequently Asked Questions section.

Overseas-trained therapists who do not belong to one of the signatory associations listed above or who do not meet the specific criteria under MRA and who wish to become a member of the NZSTA may still be able to apply but under a separate process called the Qualifications Approval Process.

Application for NZSTA Membership under the MRA (2008) 

To apply for membership of the NZSTA under the MRA, download the MRA Application Form.

Speech-language therapists trained in New Zealand who wish to rejoin or become a member of the NZSTA should refer to the Membership Categories section.