PMDB Entry Level

PELVIC MUSCLE DYSFUNCTION BIOFEEDBACK CERTIFICAITON

Entry-Level Certification

Please be sure to read this information carefully and consider the expense of each item and exactly how you will be able to document completion.  This will assure you that you have accurately evaluated all costs and time commitments. 

Professional Entry Level Certification is designed for the licensed professional from a health care field such as medicine, nursing, physician’s assistant, or occupational and physical therapy and who has less than 5 years of experience using biofeedback clinically to treat elimination disorders and chronic pelvic pain syndromes. **All International applicants for BCIA certification programs, outside of the US and Canada, must carry a valid government-issued license/credential that regulates clinical health care practice. For additional information, please see our International Welcome tab.**

A complete description of this program is found in our Brochure.

Requirements

Candidates must file an application and demonstrate completion or proof of:

Current license/credential for independent practice in a health care field such a nursing, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician's assistant.

A 28-hour didactic education program, that includes a 4-hour practicum, specifically covering all topics as listed in the BCIA Blueprint of Knowledge taken from a BCIA Accredited Didactic Training Program. 

2.  Mentoring

A 4-hour practicum/personal training session (if not included in the didactic program as described above), 12 contact hours spent with a BCIA-approved mentor to learn to apply the clinical biofeedback skills through 30 patient/client sessions and case conference presentations, with an additional 6 hours spent with your mentor to enhance the clinical skills designed as needed for each candidate for total of 22 mentoring hours is required.  Please become familiar with the PMDB Mentoring Handbook.  Lists of BCIA certified providers who may serve as mentors are posted on this website through Find a Practitioner.

3.  Filing an Application

Fees include:

• $150 filing fee which must be paid at the time the application is submitted.  

• $300 certification fee prior to seating for the exam.  If this is your second BCIA certification (in addition to either BCIA Neurofeedback, HRV or PMDB), the filing fee is the same, but certification fee is reduced to $100).

All fees are non-refundable and must be in US funds and paid by check, money order, or credit card.  

4. Certification Exam

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

The certification exam may only be taken using our online proctoring service which allows you to test on your own computer with no travel required.  This service employs cameras and artificial intelligence to monitor exam security. 

• Language:  The examination is offered in English only and is based on the Blueprint of Knowledge Statements for Board Certification in Pelvic Muscle Dysfunction Biofeedback.

• Exam Construction:  The exam consists of approximately 64 multiple-choice items with only one correct answer.  No penalty for guessing.  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.  For more information, please refer to PMDB Exam 101.

• How Much time Will It Take?  There is a 3-hour time limit for the exam.  If you need more time due to identified special needs or English is not your first language, please write to BCIA at [email protected] to request consideration.

• How to Study:  Please use the Core Reading List to aid in preparation for the exam and to reinforce the learning of the science, history, and theory of neurofeedback. Additional information regarding the exam can be found here Exam FAQ.

• 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. 

• When is the exam available?  The exam may be available 24/7; however, keep in mind that the exam is specifically opened for each client with a start time and a stop time that is approximately 3 hours later. That is why it is imperative to communicate any schedule changes.

• Our proctoring service can provide assistance in different languages to aid you during the exam.  When you register, please ask if they have proctors available who speak your language. The exam is currently offered in English or European Spanish only.

• Exam Security: 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 may 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.  The exam must be administered by BCIA-approved staff or proctoring service.

To schedule the exam, you must:

• File your Exam Registration Form and we will connect you with our online proctor to register in their system. This service allows you to take your exam from anywhere, including your own computer with no travel required. 

• Pay your fees:  $300 certification exam fee. In addition, there is a $20 fee paid directly to the proctor.  **APPLICATION FOR EXAM AND ALL FEES MUST BE PAID AT LEAST 1 WEEK PRIOR TO PREFERRED EXAM DATE**

All candidates must agree to abide by the Professional Standards and Ethical Principles of Biofeedback and follow the appropriate rules and regulations of their profession and their state.

Certification is valid for four years. To recertify, the candidate must demonstrate completion of 48 hours of blueprint-related continuing education, must attest that their license/credential has not been suspended, investigated, or revoked, and submit a $225 recertification fee.

Click here to complete PMDB Entry Level Professional Certification Application