Certified Brain Injury Specialist

The Brain Injury Association of America's  Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) offers brain injury certification programs for direct care staff and professionals with three options:

• Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS)
• Certified Brain Injury Specialist Trainer (CBIST)
• Provisional Certified Brain Injury Specialist (PCBIS)

To become certified, you must demonstrate experience in the field and pass a written examination.

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 at many Brain Injury Association state affiliate conferences and events 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.