
CNS CERTIFICATION
CERTIFIED NEURO SPECIALIST
The CNS (Certified Neuro Specialist) Certification Course is an advanced-level continuing education course that covers evidence-based interventions for the stroke and brain injury populations.
This is a hybrid course that takes place online (SELF-STUDY, 20 hours) and in-person (LAB, 10 hours). Course participants have indefinite access to the SELF-STUDY portion of the course.
CNS is an internationally-recognized certification available to healthcare professionals from all nations. Specialists are equipped with certifiable knowledge and skills to provide effective interventions based on current, high-level evidence. Participants of the course will receive hands-on education on treating multiple systems, including the physical, cognitive, perceptual, psychosocial, and environmental systems. Moreover, participants will be introduced to new technologies and devices in neurological rehabilitation such as EMG technology and virtual reality.
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COURSE CONTENT
The CNS Certification Course emphasizes current, evidence-based interventions and strategies for neurological rehabilitation.
Participants will engage in a variety of hands-on workshops. Topics include the following:
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Neurological Foundations
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Evaluation Tools, Clinical Measures, & Imaging
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The Physical System: Motor Control & Movement
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The Perceptual System: Sensation, Vision, & Communication
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The Cognitive System: Attention, Memory, & Executive Functions
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The Psychosocial System: Emotion, Social Cognition, & Mental Health
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The Environmental System: Home, Work, & Community Integration
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Technologies & Devices: Orthotics, EMG, & Virtual Reality
CERTIFICATION PROCESS
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Complete the CNS Certification Course:
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SELF-STUDY: 20-hours of online content (self-paced)
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LAB: 10-hours of hands-on learning activities (in-person)
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Complete the CNS Certification Exam (scheduled on your LAB date), and receive a passing score of 80%.
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The initial CNS Certification is granted for a five year period. Re-certification is required every five years.
After the initial five year certification period, a renewal application and application fee ($65.00) is required to maintain certification status every five years. Individuals must provide documentation of the following continuing education (CE) requirements (24 hours total):
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Minimum of 8 hours from any CNS Advanced Course.
Note: Practitioners who complete any CNS Advanced Course will earn the designation "CNS-Advanced." -
Remaining 16 hours of continuing education may be completed from any course related to neurological conditions or deficits.
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If audited, applicants must submit evidence of continuing education hours. Approved documentation may include continuing education transcripts, letters, or certificates from organizations, courses, seminars, workshops, etc.
CONTINUING EDUCATION INFORMATION
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
At the end of the certification course, participants will be able to:
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Evaluate the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of upper motor neuron conditions using standardized assessments.
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Develop best-practice intervention strategies across various systems: motor, sensation, cognition, language, psychosocial, and environment.
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Combine remedial and compensatory strategies to improve functional, biomechanical, and neurological outcomes.
- Design comprehensive treatment plans that utilize innovative technologies and devices in clinical practice.
HOURS/UNITS
(CEU)
30 contact hours for Physical Therapists and Physical Therapist Assistants through California Education Connection (Approval Number: CEC-1007) in the State of California and other states where course pre-approval is not required. Please verify with your individual State Board for CEU/PDU eligibility.
30 contact hours (3.0 AOTA CEUs) for Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants. Please verify with your individual State Board for CEU/PDU eligibility.
All national and international healthcare professionals are eligible to take the course and earn the certification. You may download our Course Brochure for CEU/PDU pre-approval. Please contact us at info@neurospecialist.org if you require additional documents.

TARGET
AUDIENCE
The certification course is intended as an advanced-level course for occupational therapists (OT), occupational therapy assistants (OTA), physical therapists (PT), and physical therapist assistants (PTA).
Other healthcare professionals interested in neuro-rehabilitation are welcome to attend and earn the certification (professional license and degree from an accredited college or university required). Please verify with your State or National Board for CEU eligibility.
COURSE SCHEDULE
2023
Los Angeles, CA
Course Fee: $865
Registration includes:
20 Hours of SELF-STUDY (Online, Indefinite Access)
10 Hours of LAB (In-Person)
Please sign up for one of the following LAB dates.
Please allow up to 48 hours to verify your license and process your registration; you will receive a confirmation e-mail.
Before registering and submitting payment, please review the following:
Important Information & Disclaimers, Terms & Conditions, and Privacy Policy.
By registering and submitting payment, you have agreed to all of the aforementioned items.
April 8, 2023 Lab
08:00 AM to 06:30 PM (Pacific Time)
sold out
Los Angeles, CA
$865
Venue: Holiday Inn Express/Suites
Pasadena/Los Angeles
3500 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
April 15, 2023 Lab
08:00 AM to 06:30 PM (Pacific Time)
sold out
Los Angeles, CA
$865
Venue: Holiday Inn Express/Suites
Pasadena/Los Angeles
3500 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
April 22, 2023 Lab
08:00 AM to 06:30 PM (Pacific Time)
sold out
Los Angeles, CA
$865
Venue: Holiday Inn Express/Suites
Pasadena/Los Angeles
3500 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
May 20, 2023 Lab
08:00 AM to 06:30 PM (Pacific Time)
sold out
Los Angeles, CA
$865
Venue: Holiday Inn Express/Suites
Pasadena/Los Angeles
3500 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
May 27, 2023 Lab
08:00 AM to 06:30 PM (Pacific Time)
sold out
Los Angeles, CA
$865
Venue: Holiday Inn Express/Suites
Pasadena/Los Angeles
3500 E Colorado Blvd
Pasadena, CA 91107
IMPORTANT INFORMATION & DISCLAIMERS
COURSE EXPECTATIONS
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Full course attendance (SELF-STUDY & LAB) is required to earn the CNS designation.
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Participants must complete the SELF-STUDY (20 hours) before the In-Person LAB (10 hours).
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Labs must be completed in-person and may not be completed remotely. Participants must sign in and out each day.
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Hands-on participation is required for all labs. Participants must demonstrate proficiency in all labs (as measured by a competency checklist) to meet the CNS certification standards.
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Participants must complete a final assessment (CNS Certification Exam) at the end of their lab date.
CERTIFICATION EXAM
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There are NO extra fees for the CNS Certification Exam.
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Participants must receive a passing score of 80% to obtain the CNS designation and earn continuing education credits.
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Participants must complete the certification exam in-person on their scheduled lab date.
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Participants who do not pass the exam on the first attempt will have an opportunity to remediate on the same day.
COVID-19 PROTOCOLS & ACCOMMODATIONS
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The Neuro Specialist Institute is adhering to all Federal, State, and County regulations for hygiene and social distancing.
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To attend our in-person course/labs, participants must adhere to all Federal/State/County rules; comply with safety regulations set by the venue; and sign a liability waiver (see sample).
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Due to Covid-19, the course location is subject to change in order to meet evolving regulations. Alternative locations will remain in the Greater Los Angeles area or Orange County.
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The Neuro Specialist is not responsible for any attendee expenses including, but not limited to, travel and lodging.
CANCELLATION & POSTPONEMENT POLICY
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Participants will have immediate access to digital content for the SELF-STUDY component of the course. Therefore, all sales are final and participants are not eligible for any refund.
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Postponement: If participants wish to postpone their scheduled LAB date due to any reason, they must notify The Neuro Specialist Institute at least 60 days prior to postponing. A $150 postponement fee will apply. We may not be able to accommodate postponement requests after the 60-day period.
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No-Shows: Registrants who do not attend their scheduled LAB will have 3 calendar days to contact The Neuro Specialist Institute to reschedule. At that time, registrants will have the option to postpone their lab to a future date, but a postponement fee of $150 will apply. Registrants who do not contact The Neuro Specialist Institute will forfeit their initial registration fee, and will not be able to complete the certification process.
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To initiate the postponement process, please contact us directly at info@neurospecialist.org or (323) 325-5244 (text).
LEGAL DISCLAIMERS
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The "CNS" designation indicates that a healthcare professional has completed advanced training in neurological rehabilitation through a series of workshops/seminars, and has successfully passed a certification examination on that material.
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Certification indicates that a person has met specific requirements of the certification process, but is not a guarantee of any individual's competency, accuracy, or expertise in any particular treatment or outcome.
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The "CNS" designation does not expand a professional’s scope of practice. It does not qualify a healthcare professional to offer or provide services without appropriate licensure or credentials.
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CNS is a certification mark that is federally registered and protected by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). All rights reserved.
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The Neuro Specialist Institute shall not be liable for any loss, damage, injury, claim, or otherwise, whether an action in contract or tort and shall further not be liable for any lost profits, or direct, indirect, special, punitive, or consequential damages of any kind (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees and expenses).
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The Neuro Specialist Institute reserves the right to screen applicants during the registration process. Only applicants in good standing (not subject to any sanction, suspension, or disciplinary censures) and without history of any legal/ethical/academic disciplinary actions will be given consideration to take any course by The Neuro Specialist Institute.
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The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA or indicate AOTA approval of a certification or other professional recognition.
CNS WAITLIST
Los Angeles 2023
