NDC
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Dysphagia Certified
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE?
Distinguish yourself through the only credentialing classification for NMES for Dysphagia therapists. Enhance your professional credibility and enjoy the personal accomplishment that comes from being Certified. These three credentialing letters will show your patients, physicians and employer your specialty skill, knowledge and dedication to the field. Click on the "Handbook" link below to view all of the program details and start your application!
5 STEPS TO GET CREDENTIALED
Click the image for each step to reveal more information.
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Eligibility
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Application
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Acceptance
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Exam Day
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Post Exam
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List of Requirements to Sit for the Test |
Forms, Pricing, Payment Options |
Notification to Schedule Test, Testing Partners, Dates, Deadlines |
Exam Overview, Sample Questions, Directions for Test Day, Testing Environment |
Grading Process, Test Results, Passing Standards, Issue of Credentials, Retesting |
Eligibility
Requirements to test for Initial Certification
By meeting the standards below, candidates demonstrate that they have applied the highest level of ethical standards in their practice. The expectation is that these applicants can demonstrate advanced clinical and professional skills. Only applicants who achieve high standards of excellence, display professionalism, are committed to continuous advanced learning, and display clinical skills and characteristics that reflect achievements above and beyond the standard practice are approved to sit for the credentialing exam.
- Candidates must successfully complete an NMES for Dysphagia competency training program or its renewal, accredited through ICE/NCCA within 5 years prior to application. To help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public, ICE created its accrediting body, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and set the first standards for professional certification programs developed by the industry.
- Candidates must pass competency trainings which include applications on the face and anterior portion of the neck and other placements shown to be effective in the treatment of Dysphagia.
- In order to avoid a conflict of interest, the course may not be provided by a manufacture or distributor of NMES for Dysphagia devices or electrodes.
- In addition, the training must:
- Include a minimum of 10 hours of anatomy/physiology
- Include a minimum of 10 hours of theory, safety, and application
- Include two or more channel electrode placements
- Assess and document competency in application and theory
- Must be an evidence based training to include instruction in current research in the use of NMES for Dysphagia
- Candidates must have 250 hrs. treating w NMES-D within 1 yr prior to the application.
- Candidates must have 5 hrs. continuing education within 1 yr prior to the application, on the topic of dysphagia (by an approved ASHA and/or AOTA provider) (teaching or attending) not including the certificate course.
- Candidates must have 2 hrs. continuing education within 1 yr prior to the application on the topic of NMES for dysphagia (approved by a professional board or provided by an approved provider of a professional board; can be a PT, OT or SLP modalities course) (teaching or attending) not including the certificate course.
- Candidate must have an active license or an international equivalent for 1 yr prior to the application.
- Candidates must be in good standing w professional boards.
- Candidates must agree to abide by practice standards and code of conduct (ASHA, AOTA or similar).
Application
Already eligible? It's time to apply.
You’ll breeze through the 10 minute application if you have the required documentation available.
Click above to choose your preferred method of application. (online or print it out)
There are four sections (Personal; Facility; Education; Documentation). Gather your documentation before you get started. You will need the following:
- NMES for Dysphagia competency course certificate
- Dysphagia continuing education certificate(s) (5 hours total)
- NMES for Dysphagia continuing education certificate(s) (2 hours total)
- A good understanding of your weekly evaluation and treatment hours for NMES for Dysphagia
- A copy of your current professional license
Having trouble finding your education certificates? We accept professional board transcripts too! Just attach an electronic copy to any one of the documentation pages in the application or email it to info@dysphagiau.org, and we’ll fill in the blanks for you. Need to mail something to us instead? No problem; you’ll find our mailing address in the contact section of the website. Contact us directly if you need any assistance.
Pricing
- $50 Application Fee (non refundable)
- $300 Testing Fee
Payment Options
- Visa/Master Card
- Check
After you apply:
- A personal DU account will be set up that will allow you to track the status of your application.
- Allow up to 5 business days from receipt of your completed application for a response.
- Accepted applicants will receive an Exam Authorization Letter (EAL) with instructions to schedule the exam).
- Applicants who do not meet the requirements yet will receive an e-mail outlining the results of the application assessment.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions or for assistance. We are here to help!
Acceptance
Candidates can choose the date and location that works best for them. Exams are live proctored at designated locations and dates. Check back frequently for exam schedules. Testing time 8:30 - 11:30 AM.
Exam Day
Test takers are allowed 3 hours (180 minutes) to take the exam. Arrive to the exam 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time you chose; the exam does not start until you or the proctor open the exam.
Post Exam
Scores are totaled by designated proctor and reviewed by Dysphagia-U's Program Director. Results are available within 1 week of testing and will be visible on the candidate's Dysphagia U's account. Candidates receive email notice when the results are posted.
- PASS! You will receive your official NDC certificate and credentialing letter in the mail and will be added to the database to recognize your advancement in the field. The database will be searchable for physician, recruiters and families looking for credentialed specialists.
- Re-Examination. There is no waiting period to retest, however, NDC strongly encourages NDC candidates who have failed the exam to review their score reports carefully and focus their study efforts before retesting. Candidates ready to retest must meet current eligibility criteria and resubmit an application with the required fee. Candidates may re-take the exam once.
About Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation for Dysphagia Commission
The Commission develops, manages and maintains national accreditation values and competencies set forth by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), in its certification program.
The NMES for Dysphagia certification and credentialing program was developed and designed by the NDC for the individual who completes a standard of education and experience in the treatment aspects of NMES for Dysphagia. Individuals who achieve certification will be granted the credentialing letters of "NDC" (NMES for Dysphagia Certified).
Want to learn more or participate on the commission? Contact us at info@dysphagiau.org!
Recertification
By meeting the standards below, candidates demonstrate that they continue to apply the highest level of ethical standards in their practice. The expectation is that these renewing applicants demonstrate advanced clinical and professional skills. Only applicants who achieve high standards of excellence, display professionalism, are committed to continuous advanced learning, and display clinical skills and characteristics that reflect achievements above and beyond the standard practice are approved to recertification.
- Good standing with professional boards.
- Agree to abide by practice standards and code of conduct (ASHA, AOTA or similar).
- 150 hours treating with NMES-D within 3 years prior to recertification.
- 15 hours continuing education within 3 years prior to recertification on the topic of dysphagia (by an approved ASHA and/or AOTA provider) (teaching or attending).
- 5 hours continuing education within 3 years prior to recertification on the topic of NMES for dysphagia (approved by a professional board or provided by an approved provider of a professional board; can be a PT, OT or SLP modalities course) (teaching or attending).
- $125.00
- $75.00 late fee There is no late fee for NDCs who recertify after the NDC issue date yet prior to the end of the expiration calendar year.
- Credentials are active for a period of 3 years from the NDC issue date. This date may be found at the top of the applicant's letter of notification and certificate.
- Those who do not renew certification by the end of the calendar year of expiration, may not continue to use the credentials NDC.
- Professionals whose credentials lapse beyond the end of the calendar year of expiration may not use the credentials, but may recertify with a late fee at any time during the following calendar year.
Pricing
Credentialed Term
Professional who do recertify in the calendar year following the year of expiration, will be considered initial candidates, and must meet the eligibility criteria for initial certification should they re-apply to receive the NDC credentials in subsequent years.
Requirements to test for Initial Certification
By meeting the standards below, candidates demonstrate that they have applied the highest level of ethical standards in their practice. The expectation is that these applicants can demonstrate advanced clinical and professional skills. Only applicants who achieve high standards of excellence, display professionalism, are committed to continuous advanced learning, and display clinical skills and characteristics that reflect achievements above and beyond the standard practice are approved to sit for the credentialing exam.
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Candidates must successfully complete an NMES for Dysphagia competency training course or its renewal, accredited through ICE/NCCA within 5 years prior to application. To help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public, ICE created its accrediting body, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and set the first standards for professional certification programs developed by the industry.
- That training course will include applications on the face and anterior portion of the neck and other placements shown to be effective in the treatment of Dysphagia.
- In order to avoid a conflict of interest, the course may not be provided by a manufacture or distributor of NMES for Dysphagia devices or electrodes.
- Include a minimum of 10 hours of anatomy/physiology
- Include a minimum of 10 hours of theory, safety, and application
- Include two or more channel electrode placements
- Assess and document competency in application and theory
- Be an evidence based training to include instruction in current research in the use of NMES for Dysphagia
- Candidates must have 250 hours of treating with NMES-D within 1 year prior to the application.
- Candidates must have 5 hours of continuing education within 1 year prior to the application, on the topic of dysphagia (by an approved ASHA and/or AOTA provider) (teaching or attending) not including the certificate course.
- Candidates must have 2 hours of continuing education within 1 year prior to the application on the topic of NMES for dysphagia (approved by a professional board or provided by an approved provider of a professional board; can be a PT, OT or SLP modalities course) (teaching or attending) not including the certificate course.
- Candidate must have an active license or an international equivalent for 1 year prior to the application.
- Candidates must be in good standing with professional boards.
- Candidates must agree to abide by practice standards and code of conduct (ASHA, AOTA or similar).
That competency training course must: