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Specialty certification draws near

Specialty certification draws near

ARLINGTON, Va.--RESNA is one step closer to having a specialty certification in seating and mobility.

The organization in May was analyzing the results of a survey it sent out to about 2,500 professionals to determine the tasks needed to provide seating and mobility equipment and how they should be prioritized. It received more than 500 responses.

“The work is ongoing,” said Anjali Weber, RESNA's director of certification.

The survey results will form the basis for RESNA's exam on seating and mobility.

RESNA expected members of its test validation committee to complete their analysis of the survey results in early June. They were then scheduled to meet with members of the item writing committee at RESNA's annual conference June 23-27.

“Writing the exam will be a four- to six-month process,” Weber said. “We're looking at having an exam ready early next year.”

Because the exam will be computer-based, questions may include photo and video

elements.

RESNA believes there's a need for a specialty credential that differentiates professionals who work in seating and mobility from those who work in communications and other areas. RESNA's assistive technology professional (ATP) certification represents only basic knowledge.

Those who seek to take the exam must already be ATPs.

'Instantaneous' results

Starting this summer, applicants for RESNA's ATP certification will receive exam results “instantaneously,” Weber said.

“We do have people right now who have been waiting for a number of weeks for their results,” she said. “But that's because there have been things that we and the testing centers have had to work out.”

RESNA transitioned to computer-based testing in February to speed up the process of applying for the ATP exam.

Already ATPs

RESNA believes the transition to its new ATP certification is about 90% complete. The ATP certification replaces the assistive technology practitioner (the old ATP) and assistive technology supplier (ATS) certifications.

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