Helpful facts about Continuing Education Credits for Neurodiagnostics

On a daily basis I get phone calls and e-mails from technologists around the country who are trying to sort out continuing education requirements for recertification of an ABRET credential, and for the ABRET eligibility requirements for taking the R. EEG T exam.  I would say this is the most frequent topic of all, coming into my office!
Who does what?

ABRET administers the EEG, E.P. CNIM and CLTM exams. 
ASET offers education and study resources.
ASET does not send your CEU transcripts to ABRET or participate in your recertification process in any way!  We can provide YOU with a transcript.  If you do not complete your recertification paperwork and file it with ABRET before your credential expires, you will lose that credential and must re-take the exam.  Please note that ABRET has application fees for recertification.

It is important to understand that ASET and ABRET are totally separate organizations, and that ASET does not set policies for exam qualifications or recertification criteria.    I always tell people with questions about rules and exceptions to these rules to check directly with ABRET for clarification.  I want to avoid any misunderstanding that would lead to a technologist losing a credential due to lack of sufficient CEUs to recertify.

ASET’s role is to provide educational resources that have approved ASET CEUs to help technologists obtain the required educational contact hours.  We approve education provided by regional societies at meetings, in-house staff education in the NDT lab and other providers of education.  In addition we have a host of resources available via our website, from webinars to on-line courses to our seminars and annual conference.

I will provide an overview of ABRET policies and how to find the information you need on their website.

Facts:

·        ABRET specifies that the topics you apply toward recertification of a credential must be appropriate for that credential, which means that it applies directly to the skills and knowledge  related to practice of that modality.

·        ABRET does not sort out the ASET annual conference CEUs when applying them to recertification of a credential.  All sessions attended will be accepted, because they understand that attendees may choose from a wide variety of topics throughout the three days.

·        ABRET has set limits on how many CEUs may be included from “in-house” education to no more than 50% of total hours required. 

·        ABRET has set limits on how many CEUs may be included from taking ASET Journal quizzes to no more than 50% of total hours required.

·        CEUs from events that occurred prior to passing an ABRET exam do not qualify as CEUs for recertification of that credential.

·        College courses do not count as CEUs.

·        ABRET will accept appropriate educational events that do not have ASET CEUs, such as the American Epilepsy Society meeting.

Where to go for information:

ABRET website: www.abret.org

 “Acceptable Continuing Education” http://abret.org/recertification/acceptable-continuing-education/

“Credential Manager”: to report your CEU information for recertification

 https://i7lp.integral7.com/durango/do/login?ownername=abret&channel=abret&basechannel=integral7

ABRET recertification forms http://abret.org/resources/exam-applications-forms/

ASET website for educational events to earn CEUs

And ASET has a free webinar that we recorded with ABRET staff and officers that describes the credential manager on their website:  http://aset-edu.org/pluginfile.php/27605/mod_resource/content/0/ABRETCredentialManagerLowerTreble.mov

The 2014 ASET Outstanding Educator Award: What makes an outstanding educator in the field of Neurodiagnostics?

We have extended the deadline for nominations for this prestigious award so that we may collect a sufficient number of candidates to allow for a fair selection process.  I encourage anyone working in the field of neurodiagnostics, whose life has been changed by a technologist or physician devoted to improving skills and knowledge for all, to submit a nomination for that person to receive this award. 

The ASET website has an announcement about this award right on our home page, with a link to a full explanation of the award and how to submit a nomination.  The eligibility criteria states:

The educator may be a technologist or physician with the following:

• A minimum of five years’ experience in neurodiagnostics

• Professional contributions in the area of publications, teaching/training, and/or educational development

• Demonstration of educational expertise in both national and regional society involvement, such as directing programs, providing instruction, and creating training materials

• Teaching experience in a formal neurodiagnostic program is desirable

Please note that while teaching in a formal program is “desirable” this award has gone to other worthy candidates in the past, who have not been involved in a formal education program.  So, please do not exclude a worthy person because of this criteria. 

Many of us have been very fortunate to have the support and mentoring of one special person when we began working in the field of Neurodiagnostics.  These special people are always willing to answer questions, review your records, stay after work to coach you through difficult concepts such as polarity.  These special people can be found at regional society meetings and at ASET conferences and seminars, giving presentations almost every year, to help others learn more about techniques and clinical conditions. 

If you have had such good fortune in your past, you can show your appreciation by sending in a nomination!  Here is a helpful link to get you started:
  http://www.aset.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3374