Certification | Announcements

Released September 15, 2009

Third Quarter 2009 Certification Newsletter (released September 2009)

Second Quarter 2009 Certification Newsletter (released May 2009)

First Quarter 2009 Certification Newsletter (released February 2009)

NEWS Flash!  February 7, 2009

Be sure to visit the new marketing and promotion page, which includes a media toolkit to help you promote your certification.

http://www.resna.org/content/index.php?pid=359

RELEASED December 1, 2008

The mechanism to convert your current ATP or ATS certification is now available online.  This no cost, administrative process will require you to follow a few steps to get your new certificate. Please read through all of the steps first before clicking on the link so that you have a good understanding of the process:

1. Request a temporary password by clicking on the link in Step 6.
2. NOTE: The login requires you to enter the e-mail address you provided us last in our database.  If you receive an error message that this e-mail is not found, please call the RESNA office at (703)524-6686 ext 314 or 311 for this to be updated so that you may log in.
3. The temporary password should be copied, and you will follow the link in the same e-mail that will  require you to log in with your e-mail and temporary password  to view your current record.
4. You will see your current contact information, which you may update as needed. Note that there are two new fields - primary professional background and a place for an electronic signature, attesting to abide by the RESNA Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice.
5. Hit "Change Details", and the request will be submitted to RESNA.  You will see a message stating your certification has been converted, and you will be mailed a new certificate with the Assistive Technology Professional designation (your term date will stay the same) in about a week
6. Click on http://www.resna.org/login/atp_request_password.php to begin.  Thanks!

RELEASED October 30, 2008

Press Release - sent to Industry Trade Publications

RELEASED OCTOBER 14, 2008

Certification Newsletter - premier issue  October 2008 (PDF)

RELEASED OCTOBER 9, 2008

Beginning January 1, 2009, the certification period will change to two years.  Three will be a minimum requirement of 1 approved CEU (from IACET provider or an accredited institution of higher learning) and up to 10 contact hours of AT-related training in order to fulfill the continuing education requirement for the two year period.There will be expanded opportunities to fulfill these requirements, including credit for teaching or presenting AT-related courses, up to 5 hours of credit for documented product inservices, and other courses awarded contact hours from various agencies.  Click here for more details.

RELEASED AUGUST 27, 2008

RESNA Announces Certification Program Changes

The Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) is a non-profit professional organization whose members serve people with disabilities seeking technology applications to maximize their ability to function in their environment.

Thirteen years ago, RESNA established a voluntary certification program administrated by the RESNA Professional Standards Board (PSB). The purpose of the certification program is to promote quality assurance for the consumer, and uphold standards for competent practice in the delivery of assistive technology (AT) services. The RESNA PSB has recently completed a comprehensive program evaluation to ensure the integrity and value of certification for professionals and to better serve those with disabilities.

After extensive research by the RESNA Professional Standards Board (PSB), input from stakeholders, consideration of alternatives, and discussions with certificants and members, a Certification Program comprised of a single AT certification is planned. Development of additional appropriate Specialty Certifications is planned, beginning with Seating and Mobility.

The RESNA PSB and Board of Directors (BOD) have approved the consolidation of the current Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP) and Assistive Technology Supplier (ATS) certifications into a single certification. For reasons of trademark protection/violation, marketing and branding, and intent for the designation to have relevance, the RESNA BOD and PSB have chosen to maintain the acronym ATP and assign the letters a new meaning. The new designation, Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) recognizes professionals who have reached an internationally accepted standard of knowledge in assistive technology and who adhere to RESNA’s code of ethics and standards of practice. Unlike the current ATP and ATS, the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) is not associated with the certificant’s role (evaluation or for-profit sale). Regulations, licensure, employment requirements, and policy of funding sources continue to dictate who may perform what service.

The RESNA Professional Standards Board and Board of Directors are committed to an aggressive time line for implementing program changes. Our next steps are:

1)      Announce a no-fee, no additional testing, administrative procedure and timeline current certificants will use to convert from the ATP and ATS designations to the Assistive Technology Professional;

2)      Ensure the appropriate changes are made in policy with funding sources, employers, and accrediting bodies;

3)      Move forward with strategic communications and marketing plans to increase the value of the certification and to provide materials for certificants to promote their certification;

4)      Develop and release an updated test instrument for January 2009;

5)      Implement computer-based testing in January 2009; and

6)      Develop and implement the first specialty certification in Seating and Mobility in mid 2009.

Working on behalf of the interests of RESNA certificants, the Professional Standards Board and Board of Directors are dedicated to upholding the integrity and value of the RESNA certification program. It is with this motivation that we move forward with the announced changes.