Getting Started

Tasks Accomplished so far:

1. Certification:
• A bank of test questions has been completed.
• Exam Components, both for a written exam and performance exam, have been developed.
• Prerequisites for taking the exam have been identified.
• Certification Categories have been defined which elaborate the body of knowledge each examinee needs to know to pass both the written and oral components of the exam.
• The specific principles and practices of DBT over which the examinees will be tested have been identified.
• A “Tool Kit” of exam preparation materials is in its final stage of preparation. It is intended to insure that examinees will have access to all the necessary educational content necessary not only for passing the exam, but also to improve his or her abilities as a DBT clinician.
• A draft Application for the exam has been created.
2. Accreditation:
• A pilot Program Fidelity Scale has been developed.
• A draft process by which surveyors will determine if a program meets standards for accreditation has been developed. 
• A list of established DBT programs has been identified. They have agreed to serve as pilots to finalize the accreditation process.
• Relationship with ABCT: The Association for Behavior and Cognitive Therapies has begun a discussion with our task force to become the scientific oversight of the process of certification and accreditation. 

Next Steps:

1. Web-administered written exam has been pilot tested.
2. Using data gathered from the pilot, we will finalize the certification written exam.
3. Web-administered written CBT general exam has been pilot tested.
4. Using data gathered from the pilot, finalize the CBT written exam.
5. Oral exam pilot to be tested.
6. Using data gathered from the oral exam pilot, we will finalize and give the first oral exams for certification.
7. Pilot the accreditation of programs by testing volunteer sites.
8. Using data gathered from the pilot programs, survey the first programs for actual accreditation.

What you can do now:

1. Review this web site to begin preparation!
2. Start a study group using the Domains and Key Points to study: use the “tool kit” in addition to the text and Skills Manual. Questions for the exam will be generated only from these sources.
3. Review the draft accreditation fidelity scale and begin to assess your own program for fidelity.
4. If you do not have a strong background in behavior therapy, start studying this to update and improve your skills.