Eligibility Qualifications

Certification eligibility criteria is usually based on experience and/or formal education and the successful passing of some form of examination. The Occupational Standards in Disability Management (DM) identified that formal educational resources in DM have been limited in the past and it is therefore essential that experience and supervision standards emphasize workplace-based DM activities. The following charts identify the education and experience required in order to be eligible to apply for the certification examinations.

The Certification Council will only accept full-time paid employment (FTE) or its equivalent as a valid fulfillment of the employment criteria. Roles and responsibilities of employment must have been in the direct provision of disability management / return to work services for workers with disabilities encompassing the domain areas identified. A letter of attestation completed by the supervisor must be included in the application package.

Given the developmental process currently in DM services, it is recognized that supervision (direct/indirect) by a RTWC or a DMP may not be feasible. Provision is made for management representatives involved in the institutionalizing of DM services in a given setting or professional educational mentors to provide attestation to roles and responsibilities assumed by the applicant. It is expected that internships will become a requirement of future formal educational programs in DM.

In order to verify educational backgrounds, official transcripts are required. To be considered valid, official transcripts from educational institutions must bear the official seal of the institution, the signature of the institution’s registrar, and the seal on the envelope bearing the transcript cannot be broken.

Education

Employment
Post graduate degree in health related field (nursing, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic, MD) or MA in DM, official transcript required + diploma, certificate or short course equivalents in DM (minimum 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, signed by an official of the institution offering the course) Minimum of 900 FTE hours performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead
Bachelor of Disability Management degree, official transcripts are required.
 Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead
Bachelors degree in health related field (nursing, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic), official transcript required + diploma, certificate or short course equivalents in DM (minimum 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, and signed by an official of the institution offering the course) Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead
Diploma or certificate program in DM
Official transcript required (if program was completed more than 5 years prior to year of application, 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses completed within the last 5 years are required – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, signed by an official of the institution offering the course) 		Minimum of 2 years performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead
Other educational experiences, credentials + short courses in DM program principles and delivery (minimum 100 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, and signed by an official of the institution offering the course) Minimum of 3 years performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM + letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead

For further information regarding eligibility criteria, please contact the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) at:

Telephone: (778) 421-0821
Email: certification@nidmar.ca
Web: www.nidmar.ca

Requisite Disability Management Education Component

Some people who are looking to enter into the field of disability management and want to get their certification have asked where can they get the requisite disability management education component – especially if they have not taken any disability management education. Please go to this page for more information.

Disability Management education activities must fall under the occupational standards identified in the nine domain areas that are the core skills and competencies that are required for effective disability management practice.

The certification examination is based on the domain areas of knowledge identified in the Occupational Standards in Disability Management.