ACBIS announces Advanced Practice in Neurorehabilitation Certification (CBIS/T-AP)

In keeping with both the ACBIS vision of providing a body of knowledge that strives to improve the quality of care for individuals with brain injury, as well as BIAA’s vision that everyone in the U.S. who sustains a brain injury is diagnosed, treated, and accepted, ACBIS is pleased to announce a new certification option for brain injury professionals.

Advanced Practice in Neurorehabilitation Certification (CBIS/T-AP) is an advanced certification concept that encompasses neurorehabilitation as a broader group of topics including cognitive rehabilitation, principles of motor learning, academic success, community reentry, return to work, community mobility, etc.

Acquiring the CBIS/T-AP is the next step in distinguishing your experience and training for any professional discipline who is actively involved in planning, designing, and providing neurorehabilitation interventions. This new advanced certification is designed for those who may already have their CBIS or CBIST, as well as for other advanced clinicians who are eligible and who want to distinguish their career by achieving the CBIS/T-AP. Learn more about this new certification by downloading our CBIS/T-AP handbook by entering your information below. 

The CBIS/T-AP Specialist demonstrates expertise in:

• Understanding and application of neurorehabilitation principles during any rehabilitation or education activity
• Assessment, development, and implementation of external and metacognitive interventions in the curriculum areas
• Teaching and supervising others providing these services
• Collaborating with the patient, family, and rehab team
• Coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating care required to meet an individual’s brain injury rehabilitation and health needs

Advanced Practice certification is intended for all practitioners in neurorehabilitation, including but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, music and art therapy, vocational staff, neuropsychologists, and educators.

Benefits for the CBIS/T-AP include:

• Increased knowledge and skills
• Nationally recognized credential indicating professional growth
• Participation in a career ladder
• Access to the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation for reduced pricing with renewal
• Access to the ACBIS Insider quarterly newsletter for certificants
• Early notice of BIAA webinars and other educational events
• Becoming a member of the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists
• Contributing to the advancement of the field by becoming an AP Scorer

Benefits for the Provider Organization include:

• Opportunity to maximize clinical outcomes and provide the best possible care
• Nationally recognized credential that reflects positively on the organization
• Seen as serious commitment to meeting best practices in neurorehabilitation
• Can help determine best practices throughout the organization
• Chance to upgrade staff skills and develop a transdisciplinary team
• Opportunity to attract new staff based on having staff with CBIS-AP
• Develops leadership potential within your organization

DETERMINATION OF ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY FOR ADVANCED PRACTICE

Advanced Practice certification is available to already Certified Brain Injury Specialists or those seeking certification. Current CBIS or CBIST certificants in good standing, or new applicants to Advanced Practice who are not currently CBIS certified but who meet Advanced Practice eligibility. Applicants must describe the education and experience that meets the AP eligibility criteria which will be reviewed by BIAA staff, and the Advanced Practice Committee as needed.

Applicants must provide supporting documentation as follows:

Education: Applicants must document the college or university issuing the degree, including dates. Transcripts (official or unofficial) are NOT required with the application. However, BIAA reserves the right to audit this information for verification in the future and candidates may be asked to provide evidence of the earned degree.

Experience: Qualifying experience, paid employment or residency/fellowship must have included formal supervision or have been conducted while the applicant operated under a professional license; volunteer work does not qualify. Applicant must be a member in good standing within any licensure boards that cover their profession to practice said discipline, if applicable. A current resume or curriculum vitae (CV) is required as part of the application.

Scenario Selection and Eligibility: Applicants will be required to identify a clinical field of expertise in which they have at least three years’ experience as it relates to neurorehabilitation. The field chosen will be used to determine which scenario will be administered to the candidate during the Scenario Exam.

The neurorehabilitation experience fields are:

• Academic/Pediatric Rehabilitation
• Inpatient Rehabilitation
• Post-Acute Residential Rehabilitation
• Outpatient Rehabilitation

CERTIFICATION FEES

Fees for the CBIS-AP and CBIST-AP certification programs are as follows:

Applications will be accepted in cohorts, the first being those who apply by March 1, 2024, the next being those who apply by May 1, 2024, and the next being those who apply by August 1, 2024.

For further information, please download the CBIS/T-AP Candidate Handbook. To find out how to apply, please contact ACBIS@biausa.org, subject line: Advanced Practice.