BCS-S Life Membership Status Policy
BCS-S Life Membership Status is awarded in recognition of previous specialty certification in swallowing and swallowing disorders. Eligible BCS-S clinicians are required to submit an application based on the standards listed below and, upon acceptance, an individual is awarded with a certificate of Life Membership Status by the ABSSD. Life Membership status indicates to consumers that the specialist has obtained a significant milestone in terms of clinical practice in the area of swallowing and swallowing disorders.
ABSSD Life Membership, Board Certified Members Requirements:
- Have BCS-S for a minimum of 10 consecutive years
- Must hold active BCS-S specialty certification at the time of application/request (for life membership)
- Have received, or be eligible to receive, Life Membership status from ASHA (65 years old, 25 consecutive years of ASHA membership or 35 years of cumulative ASHA membership immediately prior to attaining age 65) https://www.asha.org/Members/lifememFAQ
Prospective members will be required to complete an application (available on the ABSSD website) for approval for Life Membership, BCSS, remit the $30 fee (US Dollars), and renew every 5 years via renewal application available on the ABSSD website.
Application Request for Life Membership will be forwarded to the Applications Committee, BCS-S for approval (confirmation of ASHA membership, confirmation of ASHA Life membership, confirmation of 10 years and current active status of BCS-S)
CEU’s (dysphagia) will continue to be required once Life Membership is granted; CEU’s required will be 1.0 per year (5.0 for renewal of Life membership)
Life Members can continue clinical work and mentoring, editing, teaching, presenting at conferences, etc.
Life Members will have free access to CEU courses offered on the BCS-S website