How Do I Get BCIA Certified?

Requirements for Neurofeedback Certification

For additional information please visit BCIA Neurofeedback Certification

Prerequisite Education
Candidates are required to hold a bachelor degree or higher from a regionally accredited academic institution, in a BCIA approved health care field. Licensed RNs are accepted with an A.A. degree. BCIA approved health care fields include: psychology, nursing, (including two-year registered nurses with license, not LVNs or LPNs), physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, counseling, rehabilitation, chiropractic, recreational therapy, physician’s assistant (with certification or license), exercise physiology, speech pathology, and sports medicine. The following fields require a master’s degree: music therapy and counseling education (MEd in counseling). Appropriately credentialed doctors of medicine are also accepted. Credentialed special education teachers may be certified to work in educational environments. Degrees in health care fields other than those listed above must be submitted to the Certification Review
Committee.

Didactic Neurofeedback Education – 36 Hours
Candidates can meet this requirement by
1) completing a three semester-hour university course or its equivalent,
2) completing a BCIA accredited training program
3) earning thirty-six hours of BCIA approved workshop credits.
Didactic education must cover the following BCIA Blueprint of Knowledge areas:

Required Hours

  1. Orientation to Neurofeedback – 4 hours
  2. Basic Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy – 4 hours
  3. Instrumentation and Electronics – 4 hours
  4. Research – 2 hours
  5. Psychopharmacological Considerations – 2 hours
  6. Treatment Protocols – 6 hours
  7. Treatment Implementation – 6 hours
  8. Professional Conduct – 2 hours
  9. Current Trends in Neurofeedback – 2 hours
  10. Patient Client Assessment – 4 hours

Practical Neurofeedback Training – 25 contact hours with a BCIA approved mentor to review:
*sessions are a minimum of 20 minutes.

  • 10 sessions of personal neurofeedback, demonstrating selfregulation
  • 100 sessions of patient/client treatment
  • 10 case conference presentations.

Human Anatomy/Physiology Course
A comprehensive course in human anatomy, physiology or human biology, or neuroanatomy from a BCIA accredited program or a regionally accredited academic institution fulfills this requirement.

License/Credential for Independent Practice
When treating a medical or psychological disorder, you are required to hold a current health care license in a BCIA approved health care field, issued by the state in which you practice or agree to work under the supervision of an appropriately credentialed health care professional.

Written Examination
A three-hour objective examination covering the Blueprint areas is required of all candidates. Examinations are offered in various locations or by special exam using a proctor for an additional fee.

Sequence for Meeting Certification Requirements
An individual becomes a candidate for certification by submitting an application with documentation of the educational prerequisite and payment of a filing fee. BCIA recommends, but does not require, that candidates complete the remaining requirements in the order:

  1. anatomy/physiology course
  2. didactic neurofeedback education
  3. mentored clinical neurofeedback training
  4. written exam

Certification by Prior Experience
Appropriately licensed health care professionals who can demonstrate at least 100 ce hours and 3,000 patient/client hours may apply for this option.

Academic & Technician Certifications – New in 2010!
Academic certification is for those who use neurofeedback in educational, research or supervisory settings.

Technician certification
Technician certification is for those who are working under a BCIA certificant or other legal supervision to treat medical/psychological disorders.