Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS)
Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialist
The Brain Injury Association of America’s Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (CBIS) offers a brain injury certification program as well as certificate program with several options:
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist
- Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer
- Provisional Certified Brain Injury Specialist
- Certified Brain Injury Professional Advanced Practice
- Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate Course
- Understanding Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches Certificate Course
To become certified and/or receive a certificate, you must demonstrate experience in the field and pass a written examination.
Certified Brain Injury Specialist
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must have had 500 hours of currently verifiable direct contact experience with an individual or individuals with brain injury (includes stroke)
- Experience can be paid employment and/or academic internship
- 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
- Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Official ACBIS training is provided by Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers (CBIST) and is offered by Brain Injury Association of Indiana Professionals and through many service providers across the country. Training is not required to sit for the examination; you may complete self-study if you wish.
Contact Brain Injury Association of Indiana for more information on this certification: biassociationofindiana@gmail.com or 317.410.3532
Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer
Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers (CBISTs) are approved to provide official ACBIS training to CBIS candidates. CBISTs demonstrate advanced skills in the field of brain injury and maintain their skills through continuing education.
There are two ways to become a CBIST:
- Transition from current CBIS in good standing; or
- Apply directly, meeting the following requirements
Education
CBISTs must have received a minimum of a bachelors degree from an accredited four-year institution
Experience
CBISTs are required to demonstrate a minimum of five (5) years’ experience in the field of brain injury in one or more of the following ways:
- Direct clinical experience in brain injury
- Research experience in the science, medicine and/or rehabilitation of brain injury
- Services integral to brain injury and brain injury rehabilitation (education, case and care management, vocational rehabilitation, etc.)
- Development or implementation of brain injury programming in hospital, residential, school, or community-based settings
Each applicant must be a member in good standing within any licensing boards or bodies that oversee his/her profession, if applicable.
Professional Skills
Applicants must demonstrate skills in the areas of (1) training and/or teaching and (2) community service and/or professional dissemination, both within the brain injury field, and must provide approved documentation (see below), including a CV or resume that reflects how the applicant meets each requirement.
Contact Brain Injury Association of Indiana for more information on this certification: biassociationofindiana@gmail.com or 317.410.3532
Provisional Certified Brain Injury Specialist
ACBIS opened the certification process to students with the intent of providing in-depth training for those who intend to develop a career working with individuals who have sustained an acquired brain injury. As a PCBIS, pre-professionals have the opportunity to develop a strong foundation in the field of brain injury rehabilitation and services.
ACBIS hopes the provisional certification will provide opportunities for in-depth training for the many pre-professionals who intend to develop a career working with individuals who have an acquired or traumatic brain injury. Candidates who go on to complete 500-hours of verified clinical employment and/or supervised academic internship experience* working with individuals who have a brain injury within a 3-year period from the date of original PCBIS certification will receive their full certification.
Eligibility Requirements
PCBIS candidates are required to be enrolled in a graduate degree program at an accredited university in one of the following areas:
- Allied Health
- Psychology
- Pre-Medical
- Special Education
- Neuroscience
- Behavior Analysis
Training
Provisional CBIS training is provided by Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers (CBIST) and is offered at many conferences, events, and service providers across the country. If you would like participate or host and arrange a training to occur at your own facility, you are welcome to contact any of the Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainers located on this map. Participation in an official training with allied disciplines is strongly recommended, but not required. You may complete self-study to prepare for the examination if you wish.
Contact Brain Injury Association of Indiana for more information on this certification: biassociationofindiana@gmail.com or 317.410.3532
Certified Brain Injury Specialist- Advanced Practice
The CBIS/T-AP Specialist demonstrates expertise in understanding and application of cognitive rehabilitation principles; teaching and supervising others providing these services; collaborating with the patient, family, and rehab team; assessing, planning, implementing, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating care required to meet an individual’s brain injury rehabilitation and health needs as permitted by practice setting.
The advanced certification concept encompasses neurorehabilitation as a broader group of topics including cognitive rehabilitation, principles of motor learning, academic success, community reentry, return to work, community mobility, etc. Advanced Practice certification is intended for all practitioners in neurorehabilitation, to include but not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, music and art therapy, vocational staff, and educators. Advanced certification would be appropriate for graduate-degreed (or equivalent) clinicians and therapists with more experience than required for CBIS. CBIS/T-AP would serve as an important part of the career ladder in neurorehabilitation.
Contact Brain Injury Association of Indiana for more information on this certification: biassociationofindiana@gmail.com or 317.410.3532
Brain Injury Fundamentals Certificate
Developed by experienced clinicians and rehabilitation professionals, Brain Injury Fundamentals is a training and certificate program designed to address the unique needs and challenges of those who care for or encounter individuals with brain injury.
Who is it for?
Anyone who cares for or interacts with individuals with brain injuries, including:
- Non-licensed direct care staff
- Facility staff
- Family members and friends
- First responders
- Community members
No prior experience or education required
What does it cover?
Essential topics on brain injury, including:
- Cognition
- Interaction and rapport building
- Brain injury and behavior
- Medical complications
- Safe medication management
- Families coping with brain injury
Interactive learning format with real-life scenarios.
Benefits:
- Understand different types of behavior
- Manage medication safely
- Provide support to individuals and families
- Receive a valid certificate for 3 years (with renewal option)
Contact Brain Injury Association of Indiana for more information on this certificate course: biassociationofindiana@gmail.com or 317.410.3532
Understanding Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches Certificate Course
Understanding Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches is a new certificate course offered through the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists. Designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their understanding of concussion-related issues, this course identifies core topics associated with concussion identification, treatment, and management. It offers an overview of concussion symptoms, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment approaches and is designed for healthcare professionals seeking to enhance their foundational understanding of concussion-related issues.
The American Academy for Family Physicians (AAFP) has reviewed Understanding Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches and deemed it acceptable for up to 5.00 Enduring Materials, Self-Study AAFP Elective credit(s). Term of Approval is from 06/01/2024 to 06/01/2025. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Understanding Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment Approaches is asynchronous with a virtual recording and assessment, with a digital format course manual.
Contact Brain Injury Association of Indiana for more information on this certificate course: biassociationofindiana@gmail.com or 317.410.3532