Disclosure Guidelines for Certified Assistive Technology Professionals (Download PDF)
The certification, Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), recognizes individuals who have demonstrated an accepted standard of knowledge in the array of assistive technologies, and who adhere to RESNA’s Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice. The Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) designation is not associated with the role of the individual as regulations; licensure; employment requirements; and policy of funding sources continue to dictate who may perform what service.
To ensure all stakeholders understand the parameters with which the ATP and the SMS designations should be used the RESNA Professional Standards Board (PSB) would like to remind all RESNA certificants of the Standards of Practice concerning disclosure.
ATP is a registered certification mark, No. 3,059,937, of the Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The certification mark is authorized by the certifier and certifies the authorized individual has completed recognized, accepted levels of entry level knowledge and skill, and maintains annual RESNA continuing education requirements in the field of assistive technology and rehabilitation engineering with the goal to ensure consumer safeguards and increased consumer satisfaction.
Standard of Practice #1, Duties Owed to Consumers and the Public, #3 and 5: Certificants and candidates for certification shall not mispresent credentials, titles, role, responsibilities in the field of assistive technology; and, shall disclose to all stakeholders the role they serve in the provision of technology services and devices, any financial interests, or professional affiliations that may be perceived to bias recommendations and recuse themselves if the conflict is likely to impair judgment.
An Assistive Technology Professional is required to disclose their role, their employer, and the capacity in which they are engaging in the provision of assistive technology or assistive technology services irrespective of their formal education, license(s), or additional credential(s). Several examples are provided below to ensure a clear understanding of these Standards of Practice.
Example #1: Direct Communication
A Licensed/Certified Medical Professional (PT, OT, SLP), who has earned the ATP and SMS certification, employed by an Assistive Technology Supplier or Manufacturer introduces themselves at the evaluation with a consumer, their caregiver and/or advocate.
Criterion: If the ATP/SMS receives monetary compensation from the supplier or manufacturer of the product to be sold then the ATP/SMS’s employer or contractor must be disclosed as the supplier or manufacturer of the product; their role must be disclosed as the individual with the knowledge of the features and benefits of the equipment being recommended, and the capacity in which they are participating in the process must be disclosed as the company that will receive payment for the product.
Misleading by omission: My name is Mary Smith and I am Physical Therapist working for XYZ Medical. Today I will be evaluating you for a new wheelchair to see what works best for you.
Complete disclosure: My name is Mary Smith and I am a Seating and Mobility Specialist working for XYZ Medical. Although I am also a Physical Therapist I am here today to work with your therapists and physician as the supplier. My role is to match the features of the technology recommended by your medical team to specific products available. I will be ordering the equipment for you and seeking payment from your insurance company. Do you have any questions?
Example #2: Written Communication
A justification document is generated for submission to a third party payer.
Criterion: The ATP/SMS who is the author of the document must be listed first with any additional or subsequent signatures concurring with the information clearly listed below with a concurrence statement separating the signature lines. The document should either be written on company or facility letterhead or clearly disclose the company or facility which employs the author in the signature line such that NO false impression is given to the reader.
Complete disclosure #1:
Should you have any questions please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX. Thank you very much for your cooperation and assistance.
________________________________________ Date ______________________
Mary Smith, PT, ATP/SMS, CRTS®
ABC Medical
I have read and concur with the above stated recommendations submitted by XYZ Medical.
_________________________________________ Date ______________________
John Doe, M.D.
Complete disclosure #2:
Should you have any questions please contact me at XXX-XXX-XXXX. Thank you very much for your cooperation and assistance.
__________________________________________ Date _____________________
Suzie Q. Clinician, PhD, OTR/L, ATP/SMS
Acute Care General
I certify with my signature that I concur with the above-recommended equipment submitted by the treating therapist at Acute Care Medical. It is my opinion that these items are both necessary and reasonable for the patient’s well being in reference to the treatment of this patient’s medical condition and accepted standards of medical practice.
___________________________________________ Date ______________________
John Doe, M.D.
Example #3: Advertising, signatures, and other forms of identification
Criterion: If an ATP/SMS chooses to disclose their formal education, license(s), and/or credentials and registrations earned on their business cards, letterhead, email signature stamps, or legal signature the following order shall prevail unless otherwise precluded by prior license, certification, and/or registration rules from professional organizations.
Complete disclosure: Education, License, Certification(s), and/or Registration(s). The information> should also clearly indicate the individual’s employer whenever possible.
Criterion: If an ATP/SMS chooses to disclose their formal education, license(s), and/or credentials and registrations earned on their business cards, letterhead, email signature stamps, or legal signature the following order shall prevail unless otherwise precluded by prior license, certification, and/or registration rules from professional organizations.
Complete disclosure: Education, License, Certification(s), and/or Registration(s). The information should also clearly indicate the individual’s employer whenever possible.