Certification Requirements

1. Complete an approved 28-hour introductory course or an approved 28-hour internship.
2. Be a member of good standing for a minimum of one year of the IAOM.
3. Pass the take home IAOM Proficiency Examination.
4. Pass the IAOM On-site Evaluation.

RATIONALE:

An individual who has been an active member of the IAOM for the recommended time of one year is eligible for the benefits and privileges of certified status. Certification establishes a professional baseline of competency and provides legitimacy for interaction with other licensed/certified members of the health care team and with insurance companies.

Download the IAOM Certification Application (PDF) below.

CERTIFICATION STEPS:

• The applicant is required to have attended a minimum of an IAOM approved 28-hour introductory course in Orofacial Malfunctions Disorders and/or completed a minimum of an IAOM approved intership with an IAOM Certified Orofacial Myologist. Other relevant courses may be submitted for review. A list of approved internships and courses can be found on the Continuing Education page.
• The applicant contacts the Executive Coordinator of IAOM for an "application for certification form". The completed form accompanying by a fee and documentation of the pre-requisite course/internship is returned to the Executive Coordinator who in turn sends the information to the Board of Examiners Chairperson for approval or disapproval.
• An open-book examination, along with helpful, supplementary information, is sent to the approved applicant who has six months to complete the test. Extensions can be arranged if necessary.
• Upon completion of the exam, two copies of the test are returned to the BOE chairperson, who forwards the copies to two anonymous members from the Board of Examiners for grading. A passing grade of 80% is required before going on to the on-site evaluation, the next and final step of the process.
• The on-site clinical examination supplements the didactic portion of the evaluation just successfully completed. For this final step, a member of the Board of Examiners is chosen by the applicant to come to the applicants clinical setting and evaluate clinical techniques and client inter-action. The applicant is responsible for paying the expenses incurred by the examiner as well as a standard on-site evaluation fee, which is paid to the association. Successful completion of this final step results in certification and privileges that certification entails.