NCCAOM Student Webinar

Transcription

1 NCCAOM Student Webinar Kory Ward-Cook, Ph.D. CAE NCCAOM CEO Mina Larson, M.S. NCCAOM Deputy Director May 23, 2012 Copyright 2012 NCCAOM. Any use of these materials, including reproduction, modification, distribution or republication, without the prior written consent of NCCAOM, is strictly prohibited. 1

2 Presentation Objectives At the end of the session the participant will be able to: Navigate through the NCCAOM certification process Prepare for certification exams using NCCAOM resources List benefits of becoming an NCCAOM Diplomate Understand the difference between maintaining certification through NCCAOM and joining the AAAOM membership association Appreciate the value of NCCAOM certification 2

3 NCCAOM Mission and Core Values To establish, assess, and promote recognized standards of competence and safety in acupuncture and Oriental medicine for the protection and benefit of the public. Testing Excellence Service Integrity Trust Leadership Community Support 3

4 How does NCCAOM meet its mission? Eligibility to sit for an examination and to become certified Develops and administers exams that can measure entry level competency Provides public protection through: NCCAOM Code of Ethics Adherence monitored through the Professional Ethics and Disciplinary Committee (PEDC) Recertification - competency maintenance Working closely with regulatory boards 4

5 NCCAOM Profile Founded in 1982 Currently over 15,000 active Diplomates worldwide 5

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7 NCCAOM Staff Serving You 7

8 NCCAOM Staff Serving You First Level Contact NCCAOM Staff and Contact Can Help You With Olga Cox, Customer Service Representative (904) Sheila Lusis, Manager of Certification Services Connie Heggood, Last Name A M and Gerri Beth Guzman, N - Z docs@thenccaom.org General Inquiries Candidate Hotline Application Processing Certification Assistance Recertification Assistance Document verification 8

9 NCCAOM Staff Serving You Exam Content and Exam Score Contacts NCCAOM Staff and Contact Jenilynn Weaver, Administrative Assistant Stephanie Mills, Regulatory Affairs and Research Specialist Pam Frommelt and Yvonne Sanders Can Help You With Report Verification for State Licensure ADA and Legal/Ethics Inquiries Test Development and Examination Content See the NCCAOM website at for staff contact information 9

10 Applying for NCCAOM Certification 10

11 Applying for NCCAOM Exams and Certification Online application process Click on Login button on upper right hand side of website Complete the NCCAOM Application for Certification with guidance from the NCCAOM Certification Handbook. Request school transcripts* be sent directly to NCCAOM *Transcripts received without an application on file are held for 6 months Request the CNT certificate be sent directly to NCCAOM from the CCAOM Demo Note: The school graduation transcript and the CNT certificate are not required to sit for a test; however, they are required for NCCAOM certification and should be requested as soon as possible. 11

12 NCCAOM Certification Programs Acupuncture Certification: Foundations of Oriental Medicine Acupuncture with Point Location Biomedicine* Chinese Herbology Certification: Foundations of Oriental Medicine Chinese Herbology Biomedicine* NCCAOM Service Marks Available to all Diplomates *NCCAOM recommends completing CNT course prior to taking the Biomedicine exam Applications for certification expire 4 years after received by NCCAOM 12

13 NCCAOM Certification Programs Con t. Oriental Medicine Certification: Foundations of Oriental Medicine Acupuncture with Point Location Chinese Herbology Biomedicine* *NCCAOM recommends completing CNT course prior to taking the Biomedicine exam The Oriental Medicine certification meets or exceeds the exam requirements for 43 states plus the District of Columbia. 13

14 NCCAOM Definition of Terms for the Certification Process Applicant Candidate Approved Candidate Pass-All Pre-Cert A person who has submitted an NCCAOM Application for Certification that has been received by NCCAOM An applicant whose application payment has been processed by NCCAOM A candidate who meets the requirements to sit for the exams and will/has received an Authorized to Test letter. Their status will appear as Approved to Test on the NCCAOM website and they are able to register with Pearson VUE, the testing vendor. An approved candidate who has passed all the required examinations but has not submitted all the required documents (school graduation transcript & CNT certificate) An approved candidate who has passed all the required examinations, has submitted all the required documents, and is awaiting final notice from NCCAOM 14

15 Completing the Application: Special Requests and Documentation ADA Requests and Documentation Must be made in advance Information required from school and doctor Documentation Needed for Yes Response to Legal or Health Question Requires submission of documentation regarding the circumstance and its outcome Request and Documentation Needed to Make Changes to Demographic Information After Application is Submitted Must be in writing Contact information change Name change 15

16 Completing the Application: Felony Convictions Reminder: An applicant with a prior criminal conviction must submit documentation relating to the incident to NCCAOM with their certification application. 16

17 Preparing for the NCCAOM Exams 17

18 Registering for NCCAOM Examinations Authorization to Test Letter (ATT) Information and instructions for scheduling exams through a Pearson VUE testing center Mailed via U.S. Postal Service to the address on record Includes the approved candidate s NCCAOM ID number and the list of approved exams Must be presented at the Pearson VUE testing center to be admitted to test Canceling or Rescheduling an Exam Contact Pearson VUE directly Secure a confirmation number ensures the transaction was completed guarantees a refund or rescheduled date 18

19 2012 NCCAOM Study Guides Features Narrative describing NCCAOM exam development and validation process Content Outlines for each examination (available separately on Chinese herbal formulas Bibliographies for each exam Nomenclature reference guide Frequently Asked Questions Information about the NCCAOM Online Practice Tests 19

20 2012 NCCAOM Study Guides Content Outlines Diplomate in Acupuncture Acupuncture with Point Location Exam Biomedicine Exam Foundations of Oriental Medicine Diplomate in Chinese Herbology Chinese Herbology Exam Biomedicine Exam Foundations of Oriental Medicine Diplomate in Oriental Medicine Acupuncture with Point Location Exam Biomedicine Exam Foundations of Oriental Medicine Chinese Herbology Exam Content Outlines are featured separately on the NCCAOM website 20

21 2012 Examination Administration All exams given year-round, except ABT which is offered for the last time in 2012 on: June 4 to 16 August 13 to 25 October 29 to November 10 Exams are 100 questions and take about 2.5 hours To sit for each examination, you must have the required hours of education be approved by your school official Note: The ability to register does not guarantee a seat. Some test centers are full 4 weeks prior to the test administration dates. Submit your application early to ensure a seat at the exam site. 21

22 2012 Examination Administration Foreign language exams dates for 2012 August 13 to 25 October 29 to November 10 Candidates applying from a foreign school: become familiar with Route 2: Formal Education, International Applicants found in the NCCAOM Certification Handbook. must first complete and submit a foreign education review form allow more time for approval Note: The ability to register does not guarantee a seat. Some test centers are full 4 weeks prior to the test administration dates. Submit your application early to ensure a seat at the exam site. 22

23 Testing Day What to Expect Arrive on Time Bring two forms of identification The name on the ID s must match the name on NCCAOM s ATT letter One ID must have a picture of the test taker Do not bring any study materials to the test center An erasable board and a marker will be provided The erasable board will be collected at the end of the exam A locker will be assigned for personal belongings 23

24 Important Exam Policies Pre-graduation U.S. Applicants Only Three Time Rule Five Time Rule School officials may approve students to sit for the examinations before graduation. After the third fail, the candidate must complete 15 PDA points and contact NCCAOM for a new Authorization To Test (ATT) letter. After the fifth unsuccessful attempt to pass an NCCAOM examination, the candidate has no subsequent opportunities to retest. Exam Waiting Period The candidate must wait 45 days before scheduling to retake the same exam at Pearson Vue 24

25 NCCAOM Exam Policy Reminders Non-Disclosure Agreement Read and accept before the exam begins If not accepted: the session ends Candidate is required to reapply Candidate must pay the full exam fee to register again Examination Results Valid for eight years toward NCCAOM certification 25

26 Exam Information Con t. Exam Reports Exam results received at Pearson VUE are preliminary results Official notification via NCCAOM letter Mailed via U.S. Postal Service Approximately 20 days after taking the exam No exam scores for pass results Diagnostic report given for those who fail assist in areas to study Candidates can log into their NCCAOM account and check for their exam results NOTE: If the examination is not completed, a preliminary status report will not be provided. Candidates must wait for the official exam results letter. Exam Complaints Cover areas of: Incidents at the exam administration Problems with the exam content Must be submitted to the NCCAOM Testing Department (examcontent@thenccaom.org) in writing and within 30 days of testing date. 26

27 Achieving NCCAOM Certification 27

28 Important Timelines Application Review Process Allow 6-8 weeks from the receipt of the completed application. Track Application Online Requires you to log into your NCCAOM online account. Certification Allow 4-6 weeks from the date that all documentation and examination requirements are fulfilled. Allow an additional 2-3 weeks to receive the official certificate. Applications Good for 4 years from the date received at NCCAOM 28

29 The Top Three Suggestions to Schools from the Certification Department Encourage faculty, counselors and students to read the NCCAOM Certification Handbook Urge students to achieve full NCCAOM certification, especially in states which only require the NCCAOM exams for licensure Urge students to use personal addresses and keep contact information current. Also keep school liaison contact information current. 29

30 Changing Your Application to a Different Certification Program Acupuncture (Ac) to Oriental Medicine (OM) Chinese Herbology (CH) to Oriental Medicine (OM) Fees $220 for all Candidates with an open application This action will permanently void the original certification application (Acupuncture or Chinese Herbology) 30

31 Changing Your Application to a Different Certification Program Fee Oriental Medicine (OM) to Acupuncture (Ac) and Oriental Medicine (OM) Chinese Herbology (CH) $100 for all Candidates with an open application This action will not void the Oriental Medicine certification application. An administrative fee of $100 will apply to resume and complete the OM certification. This option is only available as long as the original OM application has not expired. 31

32 Obtaining State Licensure 32

33 State Licensing vs. Certification NCCAOM exams and certification confirm you are competent to practice. NCCAOM Certification does not give you the legal right to practice. The acupuncture board gives you the legal right to practice in your state. State requirements vary! Check your state acupuncture board for specific licensure requirements. NCCAOM exam results can be submitted directly to your state. Submit an NCCAOM Exam Results and Certification Verification Form. For information regarding your state licensing requirements, see the NCCAOM state licensure table on the Regulatory Affairs page at 33

34 Exam Results and Certification Verification Form Required by states to become licensed to practice Complete form at time of completion of all required exams form to thenccaom.org Takes 7 to 10 business days to process 34

35 NCCAOM & State Licensure Requirements 35

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38 NCCAOM Professional Ethics Standards NCCAOM Code of Ethics NCCAOM Grounds for Professional Discipline NCCAOM Procedures for Upholding Professional Conduct Sanctions may be imposed on NCCAOM applicants, candidates and Diplomates NCCAOM Code of Ethics available 38

39 Professional Ethics and Students A prior conviction does not disqualify a student from obtaining NCCAOM certification. However, applicants with a record of criminal activity may encounter barriers to obtaining NCCAOM certification and/or state licensure. A student s disciplinary information is reviewed by the Professional Ethics and Disciplinary Committee (PEDC) A student may be approved by the PEDC. This approval allows the student to sit for the exams and be NCCAOM certified. Acupuncture licensure is the decision of the respective state regulatory agency. 39

40 NCCAOM and You Helping You Achieve Success Through NCCAOM Certification 40

41 NCCAOM: Partnership with State Regulators and State Associations Advocating for the AOM Profession AAAOM Promote and Advocate AOM at Nat l Level Testimony regarding profession State Legislature AOM Practice Act Advocacy, support at state level AOM State Associations Promote and Advocate AOM at State Level State Regulatory Boards Licensing, Scope of Practice, Title Sends exam results and certification verification Exchange of disciplinary actions Testimony regarding national standards NCCAOM Testing and Certification 41

42 Utilizing NCCAOM Credentials As a Means to Promote the AOM Profession Diplomate of Acupuncture (NCCAOM) Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM) Diplomate of Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM) Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM) Diplomate of Chinese Herbology (NCCAOM) Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM) Diplomate of Asian Bodywork Therapy (NCCAOM) Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM) NCCAOM Service Marks available to Diplomates 42

43 NCCAOM Benefits of Diplomate Status Listing in the NCCAOM Find a Practitioner directory Use of the NCCAOM Service Marks and credential designations Access to a free personal website Timely information regarding AOM news and legislation Listing in the NCCAOM Registry for direct verification of certification status to insurance companies and third-party payers Consideration to serve on NCCAOM committees, panels and task forces 43

44 NCCAOM Services for New Graduates Promoting National Standards Testimony before state boards and legislative bodies regarding NCCAOM certification standards Letters of support for legislation Provide current information on national and international use of NCCAOM examinations and certifications Provide demographic and clinical practice information on AOM practitioners 44

45 NCCAOM Services for New Graduates NCCAOM Diplomate Website Design Brochures 45

46 Maintaining Your NCCAOM Certification NCCAOM Certification demonstrates entry-level core competencies NCCAOM Recertification maintains core competencies and demonstrates professional growth and development Shows continued competency Gives portability for state licensing 46

47 NCCAOM s Find a Practitioner Directory Used by the public to find an NCCAOM practitioner Dipl. Ac. (NCCAOM) Dipl. C.H. (NCCAOM) Dipl. O.M. (NCCAOM) Dipl. ABT (NCCAOM) Note: Directory is voluntary - not all certified Diplomates are listed Demo 47

48 NCCAOM Registry A listing of all certified NCCAOM Diplomates Used by state licensing agencies, insurance companies and the general public to verify certification by the NCCAOM NCCAOM Registry meets accreditation compliance requirements Demo 48

49 Thank You! We Welcome Your Feedback Copyright 2012 NCCAOM Any use of these materials, including reproduction, modification, distribution or republication, without the prior written consent of NCCAOM, is strictly prohibited. 49