Requirements

Education hours applied toward certification are not required to be pre-approved continuing education units (CEUs). For all educational activities, whether completed online or in person, applicants must be able to demonstrate how the content is relevant to their NICU practice.

For each course, the number of professional education hours accepted will correspond to the hours documented on the certificate of completion.

A variety of options are available for obtaining education hours through online webinars, which may be attended live or, in many cases, accessed later via recorded sessions. Organizations such as NANT, along with several neonatal-focused vendors, offer relevant online learning opportunities. All or a portion of the certification’s educational requirements may be fulfilled through online education.

Applicants are encouraged to tailor their educational activities to best fit their individual circumstances, including location, financial considerations, and time constraints.

For a comprehensive list of continuing education opportunities related to NICU practice, please visit: /certification/resources/nicu-specific-education/

Archived webinars must have originally been presented within 3 years of the application date. When archived webinars are accessed, the applicant may be asked to provide a short summary about what was learned and provide a screen shot of the last slide of the webinar as proof of attendance.

All mentoring hours accumulated since the start of your professional practice as a therapist may be applied toward this requirement, provided they involve guidance from another clinician in NICU practice. Mentoring may include a range of learning experiences, such as:

• Observing another therapist during your transition into NICU practice

• Discussing patient cases with NICU clinicians, including participation in multidisciplinary rounds or disposition planning with professionals who contribute to comprehensive patient care

• Receiving bedside instruction or guidance from another therapist or healthcare provider (e.g., learning a specific intervention technique or observing care practices demonstrated by nursing staff)

• Engaging in professional discussions related to NICU care via phone or email

• Participating in online professional communities or social media platforms that support NICU-focused learning

• Accessing remote mentorship opportunities, which can provide exposure to diverse practice approaches and connect you with mentors beyond your immediate geographic area

• Listening to NANT Inner Circle Mentoring Calls or similar educational sessions

• Learning from other NICU team members—such as physicians, respiratory therapists, nurses, or social workers—on topics related to neonatal care (e.g., understanding types of neonatal brain injury and their functional implications)

These varied experiences collectively contribute to the development of clinical competence in neonatal therapy.