FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Practitioners

1. Why is RESNA, after so many years, considering a change to the Certification Program?

With the Certification Program now in its 12th year, RESNA has had the opportunity to examine how well the current system works, if it addresses the current range of Assistive Technology 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 baseline certification covering core, entry level knowledge and skills common to all involved in Assistive Technology service delivery.

2. What is this new certification called?

The final decision has not been made, as there are strong arguments to keep one of the current designations for branding/name recognition, administrative changes in policy, etc,or to have a new designation for the new unified certification. Suggestions are hereby requested, and a final determination will be made once all feedback is considered.

3. What is the new certification?

The new certification shows that the person certified has demonstrated competency in the core assistive technology knowledge base. Competency in basic AT knowledge enables AT professionals with different educational and practice backgrounds to communicate with persons with a disability and with each other, using a common language and understanding of disability and technology. 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 upon the choices offered, and when to refer elsewhere

4. How is the public going to identify someone to perform what service without keeping the current ATP and ATS designations?

A defensible certification program should regularly monitor that its certifications are meeting the intended purpose. Sometimes that can mean restructuring as appropriate. The review of our current ATP and ATS designations indicated insufficient differentiation in core, entry level knowledge to support the continuation of both certifications. A voluntary certification should not be tied to specific roles. Our research and discussion with our consultants verifies that other programs use certification to identify competence in a core knowledge base, while other regulations, such as state licensure laws 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.

5. If I am certified with the new certification does it make me eligible to perform evaluations?

Certification is generally voluntary and nongovernmental, and it is different from licensure. Having the ATP certification does not give permission to do anything that was not permitted prior to certification. Certificants must still observe all applicable licensure laws. It is the employer and the funding sources that determine what qualifications are needed in order to perform or be paid for a service.

6. How does the new certification affect the CRTS™ from NRRTS™?

NRRTS™ can still keep the CRTS™ designation as being certified through RESNA and meeting NRRTS™ registry requirements qualifies them to be a CRTS™.

7. If I am certified with the new certification does this allow me to advertise as a RESNA-certified professional?

If you have just earned or are renewing your certification, you may identify yourself as being RESNA-certified. You should be careful not to create a title for yourself that causes confusion with existing, recognized titles. For example, if you are a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant and you earn your AT certification, calling yourself a Certified Occupational Therapy Practitioner may imply to someone that you are an Occupational Therapist. Individuals must accurately represent their credentials, competency, education, training and experience in both the field of assistive technology and the primary profession in which they are members.

8. Will it cost me anything to switch to the new certification?

There will be no increase in cost over the current re-certification fee. The RESNA Professional Standards Board will set up a mechanism for you to renew and convert your current certification and will issue a new certificate with no cost to you. These details will be sent to all current certificants by October 1, 2008.

9. I am an ATS now. Will I still be able to use this certification after the new certification has been released?

No. Once the new certification is in place, you will have a deadline by which to convert your ATS to the new designation. RESNA will be putting out various communications, such as e-mail, website announcements, listserves, etc. to inform current certificants. The ATS certification will not be valid after the deadline.

10. How will I know when to switch my initials?

RESNA will notify you of this in advance.

11. Does CMS accept the new certification in place of the ATS?

Yes. In the current Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for Power Mobility Devices, CMS already made a change to allow the supplier directly involved with the consumer in recommending the wheelchair to be either ATP or ATS-certified. In our discussions with the DME MAC Medical Directors for CMS, they have indicated that this change would be in line with their own future direction.

12. Will I have to retake the test to get the new certification?

No. Those who have already earned either the ATP or ATS designation and have kept it current will not have to retake the test in order to use the new designation. There will be a mechanism to transfer current ATPs and ATSs to the new certification which will involve some administrative paperwork, and perhaps a reaffirmation to follow the RESNA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics.

13. What are the plans for specialty certifications?

There is a plan to begin first with the Seating and Mobility specialty certification to be available July 1, 2009. Other advanced certifications will be considered as membership, current and potential certificants, funding sources, and the public identify the need.

14. Should I wait to renew my certification until the new one is in place?

No, as the current certifications (and any earned until the new ATP is in place) will be transferred to the new designation, there is no need to wait until the new process is implemented.

15. Should I postpone taking the test until the new certification is in place?

No. Any certifications for ATP or ATS earned until this new process is implemented will be transferred to the new designation, so there is no need to wait.

16. Will the eligibility requirements change for the new certification?

Eligibility requirements for the new certification will be inclusive of the current eligibility requirements for either ATP or ATS exam. Significant work experience will remain a core component of eligibility. Required academic background will be the current minimum for an ATS, which is the GED. However, as many certification programs look to “raise the bar” once they are well established, the Professional Standards Board reserves the right to periodically review and make changes to the qualifications for sitting for the examination.

17. Will the continuing education requirements change for the new certification?

No. The continuing education requirements will still be equivalent to 1 IACET-approved CEU related to assistive technology, one academic credit, or retake of the exam per year.

18. How does the new certification affect the value of the RET certification?

Since the RET is earned after first passing the current ATP exam and then the specialty RET exam, the RET will still be able to state they have demonstrated competency in the core AT knowledge base and in the specialized Rehabilitation Engineering Technology knowledge, just as they may do so now. It will open the RET test now for someone who also curently has an ATS certification.


Consumer

1.Why should I choose a provider with RESNA certification?

RESNA certification tells the consumer that certification helps to assure quality services. The certification lets the consumer know that this individual has demonstrated competency in a core knowledge base of assistive technology, and he or she agrees to abide by the standards of practice and code of ethics which promote the highest ethical standards. This gives added assurance that the consumer’s welfare is held paramount.

2. What if I need a provider with specialist knowledge in computer access or seating and mobility?

These individuals will be identified in the near future in the RESNA public directory by not only their certification but also by their key areas of practice. This step will let people know their area(s) of specialty. In the future as advanced certifications are developed, there will be an additional designation to identify professionals with added specialty expertise.

3. How will I know if a provider is a specialist in AT?

The certification identifies those with a general knowledge of AT. Certified individuals have a core knowledge base and practice within their specific scope of competence and adhere to all applicable licensure and regulatory laws and policies. The RESNA Standards of Practice asserts the need for certificants to refer elsewhere when the identified needs are outside their scope of practice and/or competence.

4.Will the new RESNA certification require the holders to adhere to a high standard of practice?

Yes. The current RESNA Standards of Practice and Code of Ethics will apply to the new certification. These requirements set forth the fundamental concepts and rules considered essential to promote the highest ethical standards.

5. How will I know if a certified provider represents or receives reimbursement from a manufacturer for selling their products?

The RESNA Standards of Practice require that the individual shall, at a minimum, inform consumers or their advocates of any employment affiliations, financial or professional interests that may be perceived to bias their recommendations or cause a conflict of interest. Violation of these ethical standards carry disciplinary action up to and including revocation of certification.