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Becoming Certified (ATP, SMS, RET)

ATP Certification  

In order to become certified as an Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), you must pass a 200 item multiple choice exam that tests competency in the broad field of assistive technology practice (see exam content outline, eligibility requirements, and application below). The exam is given on an as-needed basis through contracted computer-based testing centers (there are over 700 in the US and around the world).  The following steps are needed:

  1. Completion of ATP application and submission to RESNA, along with $500 payment.
  2. Review by RESNA office to verify eligibility.  Applications that are incomplete or ineligible will be notified.
  3. Upon approval, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with your test ID# and instructions on scheduling your exam at a convenient testing center.  RESNA has contracted with Prometric, Inc. to administer the RESNA exams on an as-needed basis exclusively via computer-based testing centers.  To search for a list of centers near you, click HERE.
  4. The preliminary results are given immediately following completion of the exam.  A certificate to successful candidates will follow in approximately 7 - 10 days.

Several resources to prepare for the ATP exam are listed at the bottom of this page in an expandable section.  For further questions, you may contact the RESNA office at (703)524-6686 ext 314.

 

Complete Candidate Information Bulletin

 ATP Exam Outline 

 Download outline

ATP Eligibility Requirements

 Download Requirements

ATP Exam Application 

 Download Application

SMS Certification

A new specialty certification for seating, positioning, and wheeled mobility is available starting March 2010. The Seating & Mobility Specialist (SMS) certification exam will consist of 165 multiple choice questions that also incorporate photographs and videos, and the cost is $250.

The ATP certification will be a prerequisite to sit for the new specialty exam.  The new designation, upon having earned the certification, will be ATP/SMS.  A detailed table of the eligibility requirements and evidence needed can be found by clicking below.  Applications are now being accepted.

Download application/instructions

Download exam content outline

Download references for study

RET Exam

The Rehabilitation Technologist Exam (RET) was developed to offer engineers and engineering technologists an additional specialty certification beyond the ATP exam to demonstrate knowledge in engineering applications.  In order to sit for the RET exam, you must earn your ATP certification first.  The RET exam covers the fundamental areas of practice in the application of engineering principles to the design, modification, customization and/or fabrication of assistive technology for persons with disabilities.

Download Information Packet

Download Application

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Resources

Each candidate’s level of professional knowledge, AT experience, education, learning and test-taking styles varies. Therefore you are in the best position to structure preparation activities to meet your needs. Suggested resources noted here should serve as a starting point to plan your preparation activities. Other resources not listed may be of more help to you. RESNA’s provision of suggested resources does not assure success on the examination nor does it imply an endorsement of the resources listed. The resources listed merely reflect information gathered from AT industry sources, other organization, and RESNA members and certificants.

Online Practice Exams: RESNA provides a 50-question online practice exam for the ATP.  For a $75 fee payable by credit card, you will have 60 minutes to complete the practice exam. When you complete the exam or at the end of the 60-minute session, you will be provided a raw score. However, you will not be able to see the questions you answered incorrectly, or an answer key. Go to ATP practice exam.

Reference Books from RESNA Press: The following reference books are available for purchase from RESNA Press. Note that these books are general reference texts for the assistive technology field which many certificants have found helpful for general review of AT topics, but they are not endorsed by RESNA as an exam study guide, as the questions on the exams are not drawn directly from these books. A form for ordering these books and other publications is available on the RESNA website store.

  1. Fundamentals in Assistive Technology, 4th Edition: This is the resource manual designed specifically to be used in conjunction with the Fundamentals in Assistive Technology course offered by RESNA at various times and locations. It contains twelve modules written by experts in the field along with course handouts, references, and other information presented in the Fundamentals course.

  2. Cook & Hussey’s Assistive Technologies: Principles & Practice – 3rd Edition, by A. Cook & J. Miller Polgar: This is a basic textbook for training individuals to become assistive technology practitioners (written at graduate student level), articulating the principles underlying the practice of assistive technology service provision and is highly recommended for practitioners and suppliers in the field. Used as a study guide, ask yourself:
    - Can you answer the questions at the end of the chapters?
    - Have you successfully synthesized the information?
    - Can you apply the information to your daily AT service provision, to other areas of assistive technology, to the overall needs of a client who    would use various forms of assistive technology?

ATP Review Courses, Seminars, Workshops: As the certifying organization, it would be a conflict of interest for RESNA to provide review courses specifically designed to prepare for a certification exam. However, there are additional opportunities offered by other organizations which may be helpful when preparing for the ATP exams. RESNA attempts to gather information on these structured learning opportunities as it becomes available. RESNA does not intend the list to imply endorsement of specific courses, seminars, or workshops. If you have information on learning opportunities not yet on the RESNA list, please contact the Certification department at (703)524-6686 ext. 314 so that new opportunities could be added.  Click on the program below to be redirected to the appropriate website to search for review courses and materials that may be of interest:

  1. Pride Mobility Review Courses
  2. US Rehab 2 day in-person course
  3. US Rehab ATP Training Course
  4. U of Pitt online course
  5. Mobility University ATP Flash Cards