To become a certified Field Traumatologist, an individual must complete the Disaster Trauma course (classroom or distance learning) and the additional requirements as outlined below.  Any US citizen may enroll in the FEMA Independent Study courses. There is no charge. Individuals outside of the United States should contact Green Cross Academy of Traumatology for authorization of an alternative method of meeting this course requirement. Completion of a Green Cross Academy of Traumatology application is required.  Click here for links to the FEMA courses, the Green Cross application, and the certification checklist.

Alternatively, The Academy of Traumatology's Commission on Certification and Accreditation will approve Field Traumatologist Certification status to qualified applicants who have completed a course of study that includes educational and experiential content that results in the applicant being able to demonstrate:

1. Knowledge about the causes of trauma and the trauma response;

2. Knowledge about posttraumatic stress symptoms, their causes, and their purpose in healing;

3. Knowledge about the principles of emergency mental health;

4. Competence in conducting an initial trauma assessment;

5. Knowledge of the Four Waves of Intervention;

6. Competence in utilizing the six steps of the Individual Defusing Model (Assessment, Triage, and Stabilization & Referral);

7. Skill in applying psychological debriefing of various groups following a traumatic event;

8. Skill in applying psychological debriefing of various individuals following a traumatic event;

9. Knowledge about the rationale, use, and procedures for a program in crisis intervention and stress management;

10. Knowledge of the definition and related symptoms of work-related burnout and Compassion Fatigue and describe related symptoms;

11. Knowledge of and competence in applying work-related burnout and compassion fatigue prevention and self-care strategies

12. Completion of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency's web-based course* IS-100 (Incident Command System) and IS-700 (National Incident Management System)

13. Completion of the United States Federal Emergency Management Agency's web-based course IS-7 (Citizen's Guide to Disaster Assistance)

14. Knowledge of and adherence to the Academy of Traumatology Standards of Traumatology Practice that is located at http://www.traumatologyacademy.org/SOC.html