PMDB Certification by Prior Experience

CERTIFICATION BY PRIOR EXPERIENCE IN PELVIC MUSCLE DYSFUNCTION BIOFEEDBACK

Upon completion of these requirements, one earns the designation BCB-PMD™.

**ALL APPLICANTS FOR CERTIFICATION BY PRIOR EXPERIENCE MUST BE LICENSED**

Certification is open to licensed professionals from medicine, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician’s assistant who hold a degree from a regionally accredited academic institution (an Accredited Institution of Postsecondary Education as determined by the American Council on Education). 

Candidates must file an application and demonstrate proof of:

• relevant didactic education/training from any/all the following areas: 72 hours of post professional education; 2,000 hours of on-the-job training; professional teaching; research and/or publications in the field.

• clinical practice of at least 3,000 hours of direct patient care using biofeedback-assisted behavior interventions to treat pelvic muscle dysfunction over at least 5 years.  This requirement must be documented by a written statement of clinical practice.

• 3 letters of recommendation from other health care professionals who have read the applicant’s statement of clinical practice and can attest to its veracity.  Please see the sample statement of clinical practice and sample recommendation letter for more information.

• An attestation of the completion of a minimum of 15 hours of formal clinical training to learn the application of biofeedback skills to treat elimination disorders and pelvic pain syndrome.

• A signed attestation that the applicant can comfortably demonstrate the practical skills list.

• a “no fail” certification exam which may be take through a special exam option that allows you to take your exam on your own computer using our online proctoring service.

• payment of certification fees.

Filing an PMDB Application 

Candidates may file an application at any time during the certification process.  The signature area includes your agreement to abide by the BCIA Professional Standards and Ethical Principles of Biofeedback and follow the appropriate rules and regulations of your profession and state.  To be accepted, applications must include: the signature, proof of current license to practice in a health care field in accordance with BCIA standards, and payment of the $150 filing fee.

Fees

Fees include $150 filing fee which must be paid at the time the application is submitted, plus a $300 certification fee, a total of $450.  The filing fee will be reduced to $50 if an applicant can document current enrollment in an advanced degree program at a regionally accredited academic institution in a BCIA-approved health care field. Total fees for current students in this category amount to $350. If this is your second BCIA certification (in addition to either BCIA Biofeedback, Neurofeedback, or PMDB), the total fees for dual certification are $250 ($150 filing fee + $100 certification fee).

The PMDB Validation Exam for CPE Applicants

**YOU MUST HAVE A VALID APPLICATION ON FILE BEFORE REGISTERING FOR THE EXAM!**

The examination is offered in English only and is based on the PMDB Blueprint of Knowledge Statements. The exam consists of approximately 100 multiple-choice items sourced from the Core Reading List.  The number of exam items from a blueprint area correspond to the number of hours in that rubric; the smaller the rubric, the fewer questions will be in the exam from that content area.  There is a 3 -hour time limit for the exam.  For more information, please refer to PMDB Exam 101.

You must complete the exam; however, because you are considered to be an expert, we are not asking you to take the exam with an anticipated passing score.  You are considered a validator and we are using your expertise to validate current and new exam items. 

• Currently, the certification exam may be taken only using the online proctoring service who employs cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor exam security.  For more information on how to plan for a special exam, please refer to Exam FAQ.

• Should you need additional time or special accommodation due to language or other circumstance, please contact the office at [email protected].

• Upon confirmation of observed cheating behavior, the candidate will be disqualified. The disqualified candidate will be so notified, and the respective score(s) disregarded. Readmission for examination will be considered after a period of two years when the candidate will have to reapply, pay all fees, and acceptance will be contingent upon review of credentials and requirements using criteria for admission applicable at the time of review.

• What if I need to reschedule? You are required to contact both the proctoring service and BCIA to let us know of your change of plans. Once your situation is resolved, you must reconnect with the proctoring service to find a new date and send that information to BCIA to ensure that we will have the exam open on that date and time. Should cancellation become habitual, we will charge a $25 cancellation fee. 

• You may register for the exam using the  Exam Registration Form  **APPLICATION FOR EXAM AND ALL FEES MUST BE PAID AT LEAST 1 WEEK PRIOR TO PREFERRED EXAM DATE**

Click here to complete PMDB Certification by Prior Experience Application