The Neonatal Therapist Certification was developed because no national professional organizations currently offer specialty certifications specific to neonatal therapy. Although the NICU is widely recognized as a highly specialized area of practice, there has not been a formal certification pathway tailored to the unique competencies required to work in this setting. This gap led to the creation of the Neonatal Therapy Certification Board (NTCB) in 2014, with the mission to define and validate the skills necessary to care for medically fragile infants in the NICU.
Certified Neonatal Therapists (CNTs) are clinicians who exemplify advanced expertise and a strong dedication to optimizing outcomes for medically fragile infants.
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.
Importantly, several hospitals and healthcare systems recognize and reimburse for CNT certification, including:
Recognizing CNT certification for reimbursement would: