AACBIS - Examiner Training

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)

Eligibility Requirements

1. Applicants must have worked or have had direct contact with one or more individuals with a brain injury, 10 hours per week (25% of a 40 hour work week) for a minimum of 12 months. Part-time employment must accomplish the same amount of required contact time within a two-year period.

2. Experience can be employment and/or academic internship.

3. The qualifying experience must have included formal supervision or have been conducted while the applicant operated under a professional license. Volunteer work does not qualify.

4. The qualifying experience must have been obtained within the three years prior to the application.

5. Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Training

Official AACBIS training is provided by Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers (CBIST) and is offered at many BIAA state affiliate conferences and events as well as at many service providers across the country. Contact the AACBIS office to find a training site in your area or to arrange for a training to occur at your own facility.

Certification Examination

Candidates must pass (80% or higher) a national written certification examination. This exam is based on The Essential Brain Injury Guide and can only be taken after all forms and fees have been submitted and processed. Applicants who have completed the training or self-study and are ready to take the National Written Examination must contact the AACBIS office. Many of our state affiliates offer AACBIS training and testing. Please contact your state affiliate for more information. The exam can also be offered to individuals as long as a CBIST or other approved individual proctors the exam. For those unable to take the exam at a test center, arrangements can be made for a proctored test. To arrange for individual testing, call AACBIS at (703) 761-0750 x636 or e-mail your request to aacbis@biausa.org. Please note: The certification fee does not include any expenses associated with proctoring an individually administered exam. The applicant is responsible for these costs.

Notification of Exam Score: Candidates will receive written notification of their exam score within 30 days after the test is received. Information about individual candidates and examination results will not be released to any party other than candidates, group administrators, or AACBIS board members. Candidate's scores are NOT released to anyone, including the candidate, by telephone.

Retakes: Candidates who do not pass the National Written Examination on the first administration may take one retest within one year of the initial test date at no additional charge. Candidates who wish to retake the exam a third or more times must pay a $50 fee. If more than 12 months have passed since the first examination, a new application must be submitted, or after three attempts to pass the exam.

Application Process

All Applicants must submit a completed application and payment to the AACBIS office. The application includes a candidate information sheet, employment verification form, and a resume or CV. If you are applying as part of a group, submit your application to your Group Administrator.

Accepted employment: See requirements listed above. All employment must be verified on the Employee Verification Form and must include a job title and description. If it has been more than six months since the initial application was submitted, the applicant must provide an updated Employment Verification Form.

An AACBIS representative reviews each file and, in some cases, contacts employers to assure that the applicant meets the established eligibility requirements.

Send applications and forms when completed to:

AACBIS
c/o Brain Injury Association of America

1608 Spring Hill Road, Suite 110

Vienna, VA 22182

703-761-0750 Ext. 636
FAX: 703-761-0755
Email: aacbis@biausa.org

The candidate's contact information that is provided on the application is used for all future correspondence. The candidate must notify AACBIS of changes in name and/or contact information.