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No big changes to ATP planned, new manager says

No big changes to ATP planned, new manager says

ARLINGTON, Va. - Eric Nepomuceno may be just weeks into his new job as RESNA's certification and education manager, but he's sure of one thing already--the Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) credential is fine just the way it is.

"I don't see any changes in the immediate future," he said. "We're in a maintenance cycle right now for that exam."

Nepomuceno started his new position in early February. He is in charge of the ATP and Seating and Mobility Specialist (SMS) credentials, including maintaining their accreditation. He's also in charge of educational offerings.

Nepomuceno does plan to increase marketing efforts for the year-old SMS exam, but he says he's happy with that credential's progress so far.

"I think in terms of its performance in being a new credential or certification, it's performing like we would expect," he said. "You have the early adopters and then more people will come into the program as time goes on."

Nepomuceno comes to RESNA with seven years of experience in developing, managing and delivering certification programs. Although his last job was in the construction industry, he said his work at RESNA is very similar.

"The processes are the same in terms of developing tests and publishing exams," he said. "What's different is the content area, and that's not my domain."

Credentialing is important in a field where public safety is a major factor, said Nepomuceno. It assures the public that the professionals with those credentials have a certain level of knowledge.

"The credential offers a benchmark for performance," he said. "Having a vehicle for customers to know that certain providers have met this benchmark for quality is something that offers value to people."

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