What the Course Entails and Exam Details

To even reach the point of taking the final competency exam, candidates must first complete extensive educational and clinical prerequisites.

The "course" for the highest level, CALT, involves a Master’s degree (or equivalent pathway), 200+ hours of dedicated MSLE coursework, and over 700 hours of supervised clinical practicum, including ten satisfactory lesson demonstrations.

The ALTA Competency Exam is a comprehensive assessment that evaluates knowledge across eight core domains essential for effective therapy.

These domains include, but are not limited to, language development, structural linguistics, knowledge of dyslexia, assessment, and diagnostic-prescriptive MSLE strategies.

The practice exam mirrors this structure, allowing you to identify your strengths and weaknesses before the final test.

What to Expect in the Final Exam

The final ALTA Competency Exam, the gateway to your national registration, is a formal computer-based assessment.

It consists of 75 multiple-choice questions designed to test your knowledge and its practical application.

You will have a maximum of 2 hours to complete the entire exam.

To pass and earn your national registration as a CALT or CALP, you must achieve a score of at least 76%.

You can expect immediate scoring upon completion of the exam.

If you are not successful on your first attempt, ALTA allows unlimited retakes within a one-year eligibility window.

How to Study and Exam Centers

Effective preparation for this high-stakes exam requires a systematic approach.

First, take the ALTA National Registration Practice Exam multiple times to get a feel for the question style and content.

Treat your initial attempts as diagnostic, carefully reviewing the detailed explanations for every question to understand the "why" behind correct and incorrect answers.

Return to your primary coursework and the training materials provided by your ICALP or CALT-Qualified Instructor, focusing on the domains where you scored lower.

The final, formal ALTA Competency Exam is administered in a secure, proctored environment, available at specific physical testing centers or via a remote proctoring option, allowing you to take the exam from the comfort of your home.

You will register for your formal exam window through your member portal on the official ALTA website.

Job Opportunities from the Course

Earning national registration through ALTA as a CALT or CALP opens a diverse range of rewarding career opportunities in the field of education and literacy intervention.

Job titles and career paths available include:

• School District CALT

• Private Practice Dyslexia Therapist

• Clinic-Based Therapist

• Educational Consultant

• Dyslexia Specialist

• Reading Specialist

• Special Education Teacher with specialized expertise

• Clinic Director or Learning Center Administrator

This certification confirms you as a qualified expert, enabling you to make a profound difference in the academic success of students across public, private, and therapeutic settings.