EVOLUTION OF RESNA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

With the Certification Program now in its 12th year, RESNA took the opportunity to examine how well the current system works, if it addresses the current range of Assistive Technology (AT) service delivery avenues, and how it may need to evolve to stay true to its original purpose – to help ensure the delivery of quality Assistive Technology services.

After extensive discussion and research by the Professional Standards Board (PSB), a Certification Program comprised of a single certification covering core, entry-level knowledge and skills common to all involved in Assistive Technology service delivery is more reflective of the profession that focuses on disability and the use of technology.

Competency in basic AT knowledge enables AT professionals with different educational and practice backgrounds to communicate with persons with a disability and each other, using a common language and understanding. Regardless of the area of practice, each individual involved in the recommendation of any assistive technology needs to be aware of other AT needs that impact the choices offered, and when to refer elsewhere.

Why is this change being considered?

A defensible certification program should regularly monitor that its certifications are meeting the intended purpose. Sometimes that can mean restructuring or elimination as appropriate. Tying our certifications to specific roles (practitioner and supplier) has caused confusion as people change employment and roles, though the original intent was to help the public identify who could provide what services. A voluntary certification should not be tied to specific roles, and our research and discussion with our consultants verifies that other programs use certification to identify competence in a core knowledge base, while regulations define who can perform what role. This is why in other fields, once a certification is earned, it can still be retained if the eligibility requirements are still met for renewal (i.e. continuing education), even when the person is not practicing or changes employment.

When the Certification Program was implemented in 1996, AT was an emerging profession, and it was recognized as a specialty area that was being practiced by professionals from various backgrounds and practice settings. There was a need to help the public to identify individuals to provide AT services, ensuring consumer safeguards and providing quality service. At that time, it was felt that two separate certifications were needed because of different roles and skills of the practitioner vs. the supplier, though the core knowledge base of AT was the same.

As the field evolves, and as practice settings, service delivery, funding sources, and roles change, it has become evident that tying an individual’s role to their certification implies that they do/do not have permission to perform and bill for certain services or products. This is not the role of certification, but rather licensure.

What are the benefits of a single entry-level certification?

The entry-level exam tests a candidate on command of the foundation knowledge in AT. This single certification has the following advantages:

 Clear definition of what is being tested (assistive technology knowledge base – Functional implications of disabling conditions, application of AT, legislation and funding, standards and ethics)
 Stronger, professional identification that all successful candidates have demonstrated the foundation knowledge core to the practice of AT, without trying to distinguish roles in service delivery;
 The problem of having the same eligibility requirements and 75% content in common but two distinct certifications is eliminated;
 Licensure or state regulations, and funding sources, will continue to make the determination as to professional requirements for which activities are within or outside of Practice Acts, defined by state law;
 There are no blurred lines. All certificants are professionals who have demonstrated command of the core knowledge base and a commitment to uphold RESNA’s Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics;
 It opens the door for specialty exams in various areas as prioritized.
 The RET certification will remain unchanged. The RET is the existing certification for engineers and technologists. The eligibility requirement to earn the RET includes successful completion of the entry-level exam, this requirement will not change.
 Easier name/certification recognition with one designation.

What are the plans for Advanced Certification?

As RESNA consolidates the entry-level certification, specialty areas are the next logical step in identifying specific areas of practice.

The Board of Directors have voted to support the development of the specialty Certifications. The PSB has chosen to focus on Seating and Wheeled Mobility as the first specialty certification. Development of the specialty exam will take place in late 2008 with a new advanced certification in seating and mobility available July 1, 2009.

Future areas of specialty exams can be considered to include specialties such as Job Accommodation and Computer Access.

What is the difference between Credentials, Certifications, and Licensure?

Credential refers to the act of occupational licensure or certification – it is inclusive of these as well as academic achievement.

Licensure is defined as the granting of licensed practice to a profession by a governmental body. A license is a property right of an individual and is backed by the laws of the state in which it is granted. Licensure is understood as the permission to do something as given by an authority, with the implication that one would not be permitted to do this thing without such permission.

Certification is the recognition by the private sector of voluntarily achieved standards and is usually bestowed by a private sector nonprofit professional association. It is generally nongovernmental and voluntary, and it is a statement of qualification. Certification is intended to recognize core competence in an identified knowledge base. The primary purpose of certification activities is to promote the common business interests of those so certified, although public protection is a stated mission of many certification programs. Many certification organizations emphasize that the goal of their certification programs is to measure competence, and that this identification of competent professionals will promote the public welfare.