Resources for earning CEUs
There are many options for continuing education resources. These can be in-person or online as long as they meet guidelines for acceptable CEUs as listed in the renewal application.
Certification Renewal
RESNA certifications are time-limited credentials that have a two-year renewal cycle. Renewing the SMS or RET credential are done at the same time as renewing the ATP credential, as the term dates for each are linked. Renewal requires commitment to continuous professional development by accumulating specified continuing education and/or academic credits during each certification period, and relevant work experience.
CEU Requirement
20 hours of approved training in AT related topics are required to renew your ATP certification. These must be earned within the previous certification period, and they may be a combination of CEUs, academic credit and approved contact hours. A minimum of 1 approved CEU (see definition below), and up to 10 approved contact hours, or two academic credits will fulfill your continuing education requirement.
Examples: 2 CEUs, 2 academic credits, 1 CEU and 1 academic credit, or 1 CEU and 10 contact hours are acceptable, while 0.8 CEUs and 12 contact hours are not.
Renewal Processing
The recertification application should be received by the RESNA office by your certification term date (a grace period of 30 days following the term date will be extended to complete missing documentation and allow review and approval by RESNA). Applications not received and approved within the grace period must follow the Reinstatement Policy (see below).
Certification can also be put on Inactive Status prior to the term date to allow for family or medical leave, employment changes.etc. and can be reinstated without penalty. To put certification on inactive status, please send a written request to certification@resna.org along with $25 payment.
Assistive Technology Training Requirement
You will need to submit a total of 20 hours of AT related training, of which a minimum of 1 CEU from an approved CEU provider is needed. Half of the requirement, or up to 10 contact hours are allowed for other AT-related training as indicated on the application that doesn't have approved IACET or University approved CEUs. Two AT-related academic credits will also fulfill the requirement. A number of online continuing education resources can also be used if they meet the CEU criteria outlined in the applciation.
Renewing Multiple Certifications
Renewing two certification, such as ATP and SMS or RET does not have additional continuing education requirement as long as at least 50% of the trainings are relevant to both certifications. Also, the term dates are the same for all certification earned for ease of renewal. Please read the full details in the application and instructions below.
ATP/SMS/RET Renewal Application
Reinstatement Policy and Application
If a certification renewal application is not submitted or approved within 30 days of the term date, it is considered lapsed, and the ATP designation can no longer be used until the certification is reinstated by either retaking the certification exam or filing a reinstatement application, which involves a payment of $250 and penalty of 0.25 CEUs for each 3 month period following the term date.
The CEUs used must follow the same guidelines as for ATP renewal (see Appendix O)The first three month period begins immediately after the term date, so a 0.25 CEU penalty is assessed from the first day certification has lapsed. The ATP designation may not be used in any communication until you have received official notification that your certification is satisfactorily reinstated.
When the reinstatement application is received by the office, the ATP certification will be renewed for a two year period, beginning on the date of approval.
Download reinstatement application