The diplomate examination is divided into two main parts: the written examination and the practical examination. The written examination consists of five 100-question tests. Based upon demand, the I.B.E. gives both portions at each International ICAK meeting and at various chapter meetings.
A diplomate candidate must submit a completed application for the written and the practical parts of the Diplomate exam, accompanied by the payment of the examination fee.
The written examination is composed of the following tests:
- Nutrition: Nutrition as it relates to Applied Kinesiology, general nutrition for specific conditions, use of supplements, etc.
- Acupuncture: Laws of acupuncture according to A.K., location of major points and meridians, A.K. applications of acupuncture.
- Respiratory: A.K. cranial and sacral techniques, TMJ, CNS anatomy, related conditions
- Reflex procedures: Neuro-lymphatic, neuro-vascular, stress centers, etc. Location and application.
- General Applied Kinesiology:History, definitions, techniques, myology, etc.
The candidate must pass all five tests with a minimum score of 75% on each test. If one or two tests are failed, they may be retaken. The fee for each test retaken is $150.00 US. If more than two written tests are failed, all five must be retaken ($600.00).
The written and the practical Diplomate exam can be taken immediately one after the other. Both parts can be passed or failed separately. If the candidate fails in either the written (as described above) or the practical part of the exam he/she may re-take that specific part(s). The fee for retaking the practical exam is $300.00 US.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRACTICAL EXAMINATION
The practical examination is designed to demonstrate the candidate’s competence in handling a clinical situation with a patient. A patient will be provided for you to demonstrate A.K. procedures. Please see the “IBE Practical Examination Guidelines for Candidates" for details of what to expect. The test will determine how well you can “think on your feet" but by no means will it be used to confuse or try to trick you.
REFERENCE MATERIAL TO PREPARE FOR THE EXAMINATIONS
Most candidates want to know what to study. The diplomate test is designed to evaluate the candidate’s command of the material which has been defined by ICAK as standard Applied Kinesiology, based on the teachings of Dr. Goodheart and others listed in the suggested reading (Standards of Reference) As there are always conflicting models to explain physiologic and therapeutic processes, for the purpose of this test, the candidate is advised to focus on the models and approaches which have been listed in the suggested reading.
The questions were all taken from broadly available A.K. texts such as those by:
Goodheart (contact JoAnn Goodheart, 313-882-4868),
Goodheart’s tape transcripts (contact Daniel Duffy, D.C., 1953 S. Broadway, Geneva, OH 44041, USA), 440-466-1186
Walther (ICAK-USA, 6405 Metcalf Ave. Suite 503,Shawnee Mission, KS 66202, USA) 913-384-5336
Walter Schmitt, D.C. (213 Providence Rd., Chapel Hill, NC 27514, USA) 919-419-9099
http://www.theuplink.com/Products%20and%20Forms/AKSP%20Product%20Order%20Form.pdf
David Leaf (159 Samoset St. Suite 4, Plymouth, MA, 02360 USA) 508-746-6441
Please see the current “Standards of Reference" document for details. In addition, consult the Board of Standards referenced list of approved A.K. procedures.
Excellent A.K. texts are also becoming available in non-English languages, notably German. (H. Garten, W. Gerz and others). Much of the material in the examinations is covered in these texts, but nothing replaces studying the Goodheart’s original work.
There is no limit to the number of Diplomates. Good Applied Kinesiologists come from good teachers and we need all we can certify by this method.