The Certified Neonatal Therapist® (CNT®) certification was developed because AOTA, APTA, and ASHA do not offer specialty certifications specific to neonatal therapy. Despite recognizing the NICU as a specialized area of practice, these organizations have not established certification pathways tailored to the unique competencies required for practice in the NICU. This gap led to the creation of the Neonatal Therapy Certification Board® (NTCB®) in 2014, with the mission to define and validate the skills needed to care for medically fragile infants in the NICU. [neonatalth…apists.com]
The CNT® credential requires:
- A minimum of 3 years of professional experience
- 3,500 hours of NICU-specific clinical practice
- 40 hours of NICU-specific education
- 40 hours of mentored experience
- A passing score on a standardized certification exam administered by Pearson VUE
As of 2025, there are over 1,200 Certified Neonatal Therapists® across the U.S. and internationally. These professionals demonstrate a high level of competency and commitment to improving outcomes for medically fragile infants. [neonatalth…cation.com]
A 2019 survey of neonatal therapists found that 98% supported the creation of a national certification, citing the need for standardized training and accountability in NICU practice. Certified therapists report increased confidence, improved interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhanced developmental care for infants. [neonatalth…cation.com]
Importantly, several hospitals and healthcare systems recognize and reimburse for CNT certification, including:
- Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center
- Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
- Texas Children’s Hospital
- Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital Stanford
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- Nationwide Children’s Hospital
- UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals
- Duke Children’s Hospital and Health Center
- UNC Children’s Hospital
- Levine Children’s Hospital
- Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital
- Tampa General Hospital
Recognizing CNT certification for reimbursement would:
- Encourage professional growth and retention
- Support evidence-based care in our NICU
- Align with national standards for neonatal therapy excellence