Biofeedback Certification Blueprint for Technicians

The candidate for certification in biofeedback as a Certified Biofeedback Technician will meet all of these requirements of the Biofeedback Blueprint for the Preparation of Certified Biofeedback Technicians and must have a qualified supervisor. 

The requirement for 75 CEU of instruction includes a minimum for 24 CEU under the direct supervision of the instructor in a face-to-face setting including hands-on training with biofeedback devices. To assist and help prepare you for testing, please download the Basics of Biofeedback Study Guide.

NOTE: Biofeedback technicians have one year to complete their requirements to become Biofeedback Specialists.

I. Basics of Biofeedback (10 CEU required)

1. Definition of Biofeedback - biofeedback is a process for teaching clients how to relax and re-educate their muscles in order to manage their stress, manage their pain and improve the quality of their life.

2. Objective and Goals of Biofeedback - the objective and goals of biofeedback are to teach clients how to relax and re-educate their muscles so they can manage their stress, pain and suffering, and improve the quality of their life.  Licensed healthcare professionals may use biofeedback to accomplish any objective or goal permitted by the scope of their practice as defined by their license.

3. History and Development of Biofeedback - be familiar with the pioneers in biofeedback and their contributions to the science and practice of biofeedback.

4. Research - be familiar with the seminal studies in biofeedback as reported in peer-reviewed journals.
   

II. Professional Conduct (20 CEU Required)

1. Professional Code of Ethics
1. Know and adhere to the NTCB Code of Ethics
2. Study other codes of ethics used in the biofeedback profession
3. Write your own professional code of ethics and submit to the NTCB
    
2. Scope of Practice
1. Know what you can and cannot legally do in your biofeedback practice
2. Write an acceptable description of your scope of practice
3. Write an acceptable waiver and disclosure form for clients to sign
    
3. Writing Informed Consent Forms

1. Identify the services you do not provide
2. Identify the services you do provide
3. State any requirements clients must satisfy
4. Offer to make referrals
5. Have client print their name, address and contact information
6. Require client signature (keep this form in your file)
7. Make a copy for your client
    
3. Networking with Other Professionals
   1. Know what services are available from other professionals
   2. Know when and to whom to make referrals for medical care
   3. Know when and to whom to make referrals for psychotherapy
   4. Know when to ask for expert advice from other professionals
   5. Know when and how to ask for expert biofeedback advice

III. Clinical Skills (45 CEU Required)

1. Client Intake Skills
1. Know how to motivate client compliance with your training strategy
2. Know how your client can be expected to relate to biofeedback training indications
3. Make certain your client reads and understands your Informed Consent Form
4. Know how to encourage your client to sign this form
5. Have your client sign a copy of your Informed Consent Form
6. Place this signed copy of the Informed Consent Form in your client file (retain)
7. Give your client a copy of your Informed Consent Form
8. Give your client a copy of your Professional Code of Ethics (optional)
9. Know how to help your client relax so biofeedback training is more effective
    
2. Initial Assessment
1. Know how to prepare the client for a biofeedback training session
2. Know how to collect sufficient artifact-free data
3. Determine the location type of training to be used in each session
4. Know how to find the stress probably causing the condition
    
3. Training Protocols
1. Know how to develop biofeedback training protocols
2. Know and be able to implement several training protocols for relaxation and stress management
3. Know and be able to implement several training protocols for muscle re-education and pain management
4. Know and be able to implement several training protocols for peak performance training 
5. Know and be able to implement several training protocols for quality of life enhancement
6. Know how to adjust training procedures to improve outcome
    
4. Complementary Therapies
1. Know how to implement relaxation and autogenic training
2. Know how to use deep breathing techniques
3. Know how to use affirmations
4. Know how to use visualization and guided imagery techniques
5. Know how to use other selected techniques
    
5. Computers in Biofeedback
1. Know how to use a computer with at least one computerized biofeedback system
2. Know how to use at least one biofeedback software package with a computer
3. Know how computer speed affects the speed of biofeedback
4. Know how to transfer data over the Internet
    
6. Practicum in Biofeedback
1. Shadowing (5 sessions minimum)
2. Constant supervision (10 sessions minimum)
3. The practicum must be accomplished with the instructor or supervisor present at all times.

SPECIAL NOTE:  If you have already taken Basic Skills but did not apply for certification in class, you may complete the biofeedback technician application and mail it to the NTCB along with the certification fee and a copy of your Basic Skills Certificate of Completion.

IV. Applying for Specialist Certification

After having accomplished technician certification, candidates may prepare for the certification exam. Candidates are advised review requirements for biofeedback specialist certification and contact headquarters to arrange a test time, date and test proctor.  No examination is required for reciprocal certification for those certified by a nationally recognized certification board. To further assist you, an example of a biofeedback test is provided.

VI. Pain or Stress Management Certification

The Biofeedback Technician Blueprint includes all the necessary requirements to become certified as a Pain and/or Stress Management Technician. Please visit pain and/or stress management for certification procedures and details.

VI. Certification in Biofeedback Specialty Areas

Biofeedback specialists may certify in biofeedback equipment such as Bioresonance Specialist, Bioenergetics Specialist, Biofrequency Specialist and/or Quantum Biofeedback Specialist. Please visit Biofeedback Specialty for details about the certification process.