General Biofeedback

Prior Experience Certification

General Biofeedback Certification by Prior Experience

Certification Application (pdf)  

Sample Statement of Practice & Mentoring Letter

Blueprint of Knowledge

Ethical Principles

Exam Registration Form (Dates & Deadlines)

Special Exam Form

Site Search

Certification by Prior Experience for General Biofeedback Professionals 

- New More Stringent Requirements Announced!

This opportunity is reserved for a select group of licensed professionals who can demonstrate extensive education and experience and have been leaders through their various contributions to the field.  We recognize that these professionals have training that goes beyond entry level and should be expected to fulfill requirements that go far beyond our traditional certification process.  Applications for BCIA Certification by Prior Experience are only for those licensed health care professionals who can demonstrate all of the following:

1. License/Credential for independent practice:  a current license/credential issued by the state in which you practice is required.  This license/credential must be from one of the following clinical health care fields:  psychology, nursing, (including two-year registered nurses with license, not LVNs or LPNs), physical therapy, respiratory therapy, occupational therapy, social work, counseling, rehabilitation, chiropractic, recreational therapy, dental hygiene, physician's assistant (with certification or license), exercise physiology, speech pathology, or sports medicine.  The following fields require a Masters degree:  music therapy and counseling education (M.Ed. in counseling). Appropriately credentialed doctors of medicine and dentistry are also accepted. 
2. Accredited post professional education: a minimum of 100 hours is required with courses that completely cover the 48-hours of BCIA Blueprint of Knowledge Statements.  The remaining 52 hours may be completed by a BCIA-approved continuing education venue in any blueprint area(s). It is required that the majority of these hours be within the past 10 years.
3. 3,000 patient hours over at least 5 years: relevant experience using any of the following biofeedback modalities:  EMG, thermal, GSR, HRV, and/or respiration and must be substantiated with your written statement of clinical practice and letters of recommendation that support your statement. Please refer to the samples of a written statement of practice and recommendation letter.
4. Human anatomy/physiology course work or other submission that formally demonstrates understanding the relation and function of bodily systems used in your specific biofeedback applications. 
5. Mentoring with another professional for at least 25 contact hours that demonstrates a formal guidance in learning the application of clinical skills.

Applications must include the signed attestation that one agrees to abide by the BCIA Ethical Principles & Professional Standards and all policies and procedures of BCIA.

Accredited continuing education refers to: courses taken from regionally accredited academic institutions, courses accredited by the national body of a BCIA accepted health care profession (APA, AMA, etc.), or workshops given at the following recognized organization’s annual meetings:  AAPB, ISNR, FutureHealth. 

To be considered, applications must include: all documentation, a current CV, and a non-refundable $150 filing fee.  Upon approval, the remaining $245 must be submitted prior to final certification.  Applications will be reviewed by the Certification Committee and recommended to the BCIA Board of Directors for final approval.  Please provide all information as completely and accurately as possible.  Remember to use the same address on all correspondence.  Provide original signatures on the application and enclose the necessary documentation, keeping a copy for your files.