Become Certified in the Interpretation
of Swallowing X-Ray Studies

****NEW STUDY MATERIALS NOW AVAILABLE****

1. Interpretation of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies of INFANTS & CHILDREN: Manual & DVD
2. Interpretation of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies of ADULTS: Manual & DVD

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this certification is to recognize those individuals who consider the Modified Barium Swallow Study as a rehabilitative study and not simply as a pass/fail or feed/don't feed study.

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Swallowing Disorders
• Treatment Planning

SKILLS TO BE ASSESSED:

1. Identification of swallow anatomy in the oral cavity, pharynx and cervical esophagus.
2. Identification of oral and pharyngeal swallow disorders.
3. Knowledge of evidence-based treatments for specific oral and pharyngeal swallow disorders.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION:

1. Master's Degree in Speech-Language Pathology.
2. Certificate of Clinical Competence from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
3. Two years of professional experience with major focus in swallowing and swallowing disorders following awarding of Certificate of Clinical Competence.

CERTIFICATION PROCESS:

Application


1. Application form can be downloaded on this website. We expect the registration and application forms to be available soon. Please check back periodically for updates...
2. Mail application form, copy of Master's Degree diploma, copy of Certificate of Clinical Competence, and proof of two years clinical experience to NSS, PO Box 1247, Gaylord, MI 49734.

Examination


1. Upon approval of above paperwork, NSS contacts applicant and provides an access code to take the certification examination via this website.
2. Participant completes three separate examinations that can be taken at 3 different times: (a) Identification of swallow anatomy visualized radiographically, (b) Identification of oral and pharyngeal swallow disorders radiographically, and (c) evidence-based treatment planning following examination of videofluoroscopic studies.
3. Participant will be given three hours to complete each section of the three-section examination. The participant can log in to take one of the examinations and log out when that examination is completed.
4. While the three sections do not need to be completed back-to-back-to-back, the participant will need to complete all three sections within a 48-hour period.
5. Participants are required to score 80% or higher on each examination section to be granted certification.
6. NSS then notifies participant of examination scores for each examination section and status of certification within 30 days of test completion.
7. Participants passing all three examinations then receive their certificate in the mail from NSS. Awardee names will be posted on this website in a section marked "Certified Members in X-Ray Reading."

Participants who fail certification examination


1. Participants who fail to score 80% on a specific examination will be given the opportunity to re-take this examination.
2. Participants are only required to re-take the examination section in which they fail to score 80% or higher.
3. Participants will be given the opportunity to re-take a specific examination section two additional times within one year from the day they completed the initial examination. When participants decide to re-take an examination they notify NSS and access to the examination will be granted.
4. Participants who fail an examination section three times can re-take the entire examination one year from the day they took the examination the third time. When this occurs participants are essentially starting over and will need to pay a second certification fee. Pass/fail requirements remain the same.
5. NSS will notify participants who re-take an examination section of their scores and certification status within 30 days.

RECERTIFICATION:

Participants who are granted certification will be required to renew their certification status every five years.

CERTIFICATION COSTS:

• Certification fee: $475
• Examination re-take fee regardless of how many examinations taken: $50
• Recertification fee: $299

CERTIFICATE STATEMENT:

"The Department of Swallowing Certification and Recognition at Northern Speech Services, Inc grants [participant name] the Certificate in the Identification and Treatment of Swallow Disorders From Videofluorographic Studies of Swallow."

1. To recognize aspiration as a symptom/sign of an underlying anatomic and/or physiologic abnormality of swallowing.
2. To distinguish symptoms or signs of Dysphagia as they indicate specific anatomic and/or physiologic abnormalities of swallowing.
3. To match swallowing disorders with evidence-based treatments in the planning of treatment for individuals (or persons) with swallowing disorders.

CONTENT CONTRIBUTORS:

Dr. Jeri A. Logemann, Ph.D., is the Ralph and Jean Sundin Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, and Professor of Otolaryngology and Maxillofacial Surgery and Neurology at Northwestern University Medical School – Chicago, Illinois. She directs the Voice, Speech and Language Service and Swallowing Center at Northwestern University Medical School/Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Dr. Logemann received all of her degrees at Northwestern, including a two-year postdoctoral appointment. Dr. Logemann's research interests include the management of voice disorders, normal swallowing physiology, the assessment and treatment of speech and swallowing dysfunction in treated head and neck cancer patients and neurologically impaired individuals, and in the development of randomized clinical trials.

She has received NIH funding for her research in the area of normal swallowing physiology and speech and swallowing disorders for the past 20 years. She is co-author of Fisher-Logemann Test of Articulation Competence, author of Evaluation and Treatment of Swallowing Disorders and Manual for the Videofluorographic Study of Swallowing, and is a Fellow of the American Speech-Language Association (ASHA) and the Chicago Medical Society. Dr. Logemann was also President of ASHA in 1994 and in 2000. Dr. Logemann was also the recipient of Honors of the Association from ASHA in November, 2003.

Joan C. Arvedson, PhD, BC-NCD, BRS-S, is Program Coordinator of Feeding and Swallowing Services at the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin - Milwaukee. She is Clinical Professor in the Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Pediatrics, Medical College of Wisconsin. Dr. Arvedson received her BS, MS, and PhD degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has two books in publication: Pediatric Swallowing and Feeding: Assessment and Management, 2nd edition (with L. Brodsky, MD) and Pediatric Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies: A Professional Manual with Caregiver Guidelines (with M. Lefton-Greif, PhD). She has given workshops and seminars on the topic of swallowing and feeding disorders in infants and children throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia and South America. Her patient care, teaching and research are focused in these areas.

MATERIALS TO HELP YOU PREPARE FOR TESTING:

1. Interpretation of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies of INFANTS & CHILDREN: Manual & DVD
2. Interpretation of Videofluoroscopic Swallow Studies of ADULTS: Manual & DVD
3. Onsite Seminars by Dr. Jeri Logemann

NSS will post more information, including the date application process will begin, on this website soon. Please check back periodically.