Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialist (CDBIS)

CDBIS Description

Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialists are highly trained professionals who work with individuals who are deafblind and those identified as having a dual sensory loss. Intervenors are narrators, informers, guides, communicators, and generally a link to the world for someone who is deafblind. They act as a "bridge not a barrier" and subscribe to the philosophy "Do with NOT for".

A CDBIS will recertify every four years.

CDBIS Certification Handbook

Microsoft Word iconClick here to download the CDBIS Certification Handbook in Microsoft Word format

Steps to CDBIS Certification - There are 4 Steps to become certified listed below. Make sure to complete all 4 of the steps.

1. Create an Account

Create an account on the ACVREP website.


2. Apply for Eligibility

  1. Category 1 Applicants you must upload the following documents with your application:
    • Applied Competency Evaluation Form
    • Letterof Recommendation from employment supervisor and, in addition, have an official transcript mailed directly to ACVREP offices
  2. Category 2 Applicants you must upload the following documents with your application:
    • Core Knowledge Domain Area Checklist evidencing how the Body of Knowledge Domain learning has been met to include any online course completion certifications if online training was included
    • Applied Competency Evaluation Form
    • Letter of Recommendation from employment supervisor and, in addition, have an official transcript (s) verifying Category 2 qualifying education mailed directly to ACVREP offices
  3. Category 3 Applicants you must upload the following documents with your application:
    • Core Knowledge Domain Area Checklist Form evidencing how the Body of Knowledge Domain learning has been met to include any online course completion certifications if online training was included
    • Employer Letter of Verification of the 30 hours of mentoring/job shadowing
    • Applied Competency Evaluation Form
    • Letter of Recommendation from employment supervisor
  4. Category 4 Applicants you must upload the following documents with your application:
    • Core Knowledge Domain Area Checklist Form evidencing how the Body of Knowledge Domain learning has been met to include any online course completion certifications if online training was included
    • Employer Letter of Verification of the 30 hours of mentoring/job shadowing
    • Applied Competency Evaluation Form
    • Letter of Recommendation from employment supervisor

Allow 5 days for ACVREP to review your application to determine it is complete. If there is missing documentation you will be notified by email that we are requesting missing information. Once you have been declared Eligible you will receive a notification that your status has changed.


3. Schedule Your Exam

In order to facilitate a scheduling process that is efficient and fair to all candidates, ACVREP has implemented a scheduling procedure that allows all candidates to sit for the certification examination following a mandatory 30 calendar day waiting period (or any business day thereafter based on candidate preference).

  1. Log into your online ACVREP account
  2. Select the "Schedule Your Exam" link to the right of the page. This will take you to the examination options. Select the appropriate certification exam that you are applying for.
  3. Once you have selected the appropriate exam, fill in the requested Exam Registration Form.

    1. If You Do Not Require Accommodations or Private Proctoring

      If you do not require accommodations or a privately proctored exam, on the Payment Confirmation page you will be provided a link to create/log into your account on the Webassessor test taker platform. The payment page will also include the Exam Scheduling Voucher Code that you will need to use to schedule your exam.

      Please note that if you schedule an exam date and then want to change that date you will be required by the system to wait another 30 days. You will receive an automatic email confirmation of your scheduled date, time and location. Review the information carefully and let ACVREP know if there are any problems.

    2. If You Require Accommodations or Private Proctoring

      If you check the box on the Exam Registration form indicating that you either need accommodations or a privately proctored exam you will be asked to provide three (3) preferred dates, times and locations.

      You will also need to create a Test Taker Account. Please click on the link. ACVREP will not be able to schedule your exam until you create this account.

      The Certificate Services Specialist will then contact you to make arrangements for scheduling your exam.

      Currently, if you need to have the exam delivered using ASL or LSQ, please select Privately Proctored exam. Additionally, if you wish to take the French version of the exam, until that option can be added to the list of accommodations, contact via email css@acvrep.org to schedule the French exam. Please allow seven business days for ACVREP to process your request and provide you with a confirmation of location, date and time.

      If you need special accommodations for your exam, please upload the appropriate required document from a physician or school counselor as to your need for accommodations. ACVREP cannot schedule you for the exam until all supporting documents have been received. Upon review of your accommodations request, ACVREP will notify you of the accommodated exam procedures.

If you do not pass the exam the first time you are allowed one free retake of the exam. As soon as you have been notified that you failed the exam, you will be able to schedule an Exam Retake by logging into your account and clicking on Schedule your Exam. The database will recognize that this is your second and free retake of the exam and you will not be charged a fee.


4. Apply For Certification

Once you have been notified that you have passed the exam you will be able to log into your online account with ACVREP and apply for certification using the Apply for Certification link.

Allow 5 business days for ACVREP to review your application to determine it is complete.

If there is missing documentation you will be notified by email that we are requesting missing information. Once you have been Certified you will receive a notification that your status has changed.

Once you have been certified a digital copy of your certificate will be placed in the My Documents section of your account. Allow up to 14 days from Certification to receive your original certificate through the mail.


Other Important Information

The fees for the Certified Deafblind Intervenor Specialist (CDBIS) Certification:

Eligibility Fee: $130.00
Exam Fee: $490.00
Certification Fee: $115.00

A full or parital scholarship may be available to assist you with the payment of the exam fee.


Apply

Create your account in the ACVREP database and complete the online application.

Register/Apply For Eligibility