Becoming Certified - DBSM
As the complexities of patient care expand, specialization has become increasingly important to all aspects of medical practice. Over the past several decades, evidence has clearly shown that behavioral sleep medicine interventions are highly effective and an important part of multidisciplinary approach to treating sleep disorders.As the complexities of patient care expand, specialization has become increasingly important to all aspects of medical practice. Over the past several decades, evidence has clearly shown that behavioral sleep medicine interventions are highly effective and an important part of multidisciplinary approach to treating sleep disorders.
BBSM specialty certification is designed to demonstrate competency and qualifications in delivering quality behavioral sleep medicine care. Documentation of specialized experience and skills yields the additional benefits of professional satisfaction and recognition by health care organizations and insurers.
For patients, improved outcomes in patient care are the primary purpose of specialization in any health care profession. The patient’s standard is straight-forward — “How can I know which provider is uniquely qualified to deliver effective BSM services?” As complex health care issues continue to demand a multidisciplinary approach, patients increasingly will recognize and expect the critical role of the specialty-certified providers in providing the care they need.
When a BBSM specialty certified provider applies for a position, employers can feel secure that the knowledge base and skill levels of the certified specialist they hire has been thoroughly tested. Many organizations report preferential hiring for certified specialists. Hospitals and health care organizations increasingly require specialty certification for practice credentialing and privileges. A BBSM specialty certification in BSM brings an extra measure of quality to the hiring process demonstrating initiative and a commitment to professional excellence.
Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM)
The Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine offers a Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine or DBSM to applicants who meet eligibility requirements and pass a specialty BSM certification examination. Candidates who pass the certification examination may use the DBSM (Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine) designation after their name and will receive certificates from the BBSM. The DBSM represents a standard of specialty competence in behavioral sleep medicine by which the public, government and regulatory agencies, and health care organizations can identify skill and expertise.
Credentialing by the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine does not in itself sanction the authority to practice beyond the licensing statute granted by a state that issues a license to practice.
The DBSM designation must not be interpreted to mean that the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine designation supersedes any state or federal law with regard to license requirements for the BSM treatment of patients. Those who have successfully passed the exam are responsible for any and all stipulations within their practice act and must not practice outside of their legal limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credential associated with the new BSM certification?
The Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BBSM) oversees BSM certification and grants a Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine or DBSM.
What is the recommended reference for the DBSM credential?
Who is eligible to apply for DBSM Certification?
In general, applicants must hold a graduate degree in a health-related field, meet either Standard or Alternate Track training requirements as outlined in the eligibility criteria, and hold a current valid license to practice in their field of specialt. Individuals with a temporary license or whose practice is restricted by board sanction are not eligible to apply.
For a period of two years ending July 31, 2020, individuals holding a CBSM are also eligible to apply to obtain a DBSM without taking the BSM examination provided they have completed 40 continuing education hours in behavioral sleep medicine within the past five years. Thereafter CBSM holders will be required to apply through either Standard or Alternative Tracks and sit for examination.
What is covered in the BSM examination?
Applicants should be prepared to answer questions that encompass BSM scope of practice as outlined in the Content section of the BSM Certification Exam Handbook. The handbook and information about exam content can be found in the Candidate Guide of the BBSM.
What is the difference between a consultant and a supervisor?
The BSM certification eligibility criteria and application outline the difference between a consultant and a supervisor.
Clinical experience completed after an applicant has become a licensed clinician requires ongoing consultation. Consultation as defined by BSM certification eligibility criteria refers to the provision of clinical practice guidance to a licensed clinician by an individual board-certified in BSM or Sleep Medicine. Supervision refers to the direct clinical oversight and responsibility of a supervisor for the clinical activities of an unlicensed student or trainee.
What if I am unable to contact my previous consultant or supervisor?
The eligibility criteria anticipate this possibility for Alternate Track applicants. In cases in which a consultant or supervisor is unavailable to verify clinical training experience, a current BSM consultant or supervisor may sign the required Alternate Track Attestation Form if they are sufficiently satisfied that the applicant has completed the training outlined in the attestation form.
What is an Attestation Form?
An Attestation Form is an application document verifying completion of certain training requirements.
Alternate Track applicants are required to complete an Alternate Track Attestation Form which to document how specific clinical experience requirements were met. The form needs to be signed by a qualified BSM consultant or supervisor defined as an individual boarded in Behavioral Sleep Medicine or Sleep Medicine.
Standard Track applicants who complete a SBSM-accredited training program are required to complete a Standard Track Attestation Form to be signed by their training program director verifying satisfactory completion of the BSM training program.
Is there an approved BSM exam reading list?
No. However, the SBSM Accreditation Committee has posted a BSM Training Program Reading List, which is available on the SBSM website:
https://www.behavioralsleep.
This reading list is only one identified resource, and in no way is intended to be a recommended or exclusive reading list for study. Applicants are expected to seek information as indicated by the published BSM Exam content areas by review of evidence-based peer reviewed science and literature.
What disciplines are included as eligible to obtain a BSM certification?
The current BSM certification reflects an interdisciplinary vision for the field of BSM. The BSM certification eligibility criteria indicate applicants must hold a master’s or doctorate degree in a health-related field who meet the educational and clinical experience necessary to demonstrate competency in Behavioral Sleep Medicine. Such fields include but are not limited to psychology, clinical social work, medicine, counseling, advanced practice nursing, education, and dentistry.
Once I obtain my BSM certification will I need to renew it?
Yes. You will need to renew your DBSM certification every five years. The renewal application will involve updating your practice information, verifying you currently license to practice, and documenting that within the past five years you have completed a minimum of 40 continuing education (CE) hours in behavioral sleep medicine. These hours may include areas such as normal and abnormal sleep, basic sleep science, differential diagnosis of sleep conditions, diagnostic monitoring tools in sleep medicine, psychological factors affecting sleep and behavioral treatments of sleep disorders.
If you do not meet CE requirements at the time of renewal you would need to take and pass the current BSM examination in order to renew your certification.
If I have a CBSM am I eligible to apply for the Diplomate in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (DBSM)?
Yes. If you have a CBSM you may apply to the Board of Behavioral Sleep Medicine to be granted a DBSM. There has been an extension for you to apply without sitting for the DBSM certification examination provided you have completed 40 continuing education hours in behavioral sleep medicine within the past five years.
You will need to complete a CBSM holder application, provide a copy of your CBSM certificate, diploma and current license to practice in your field of specialty. You will also need to provide CE certificates verifying you have completed the required continuing education hours in a behavioral sleep medicine. These hours may include areas such as normal and abnormal sleep, basic sleep science, differential diagnosis of sleep conditions, diagnostic monitoring tools in sleep medicine, psychological factors affecting sleep and behavioral treatments of sleep disorders. You will need to complete a CBSM holder application, provide a copy of your CBSM certificate, diploma and current license to practice in your field of specialty. You will also need to provide CE certificates verifying you have completed the required continuing education hours in a behavioral sleep medicine. These hours may include areas such as normal and abnormal sleep, basic sleep science, differential diagnosis of sleep conditions, diagnostic monitoring tools in sleep medicine, psychological factors affecting sleep and behavioral treatments of sleep disorders.
If you do not have sufficient continuing education hours to apply for the DBSM now, you have two years to accumulate the hours needed to allow you to apply through the CBSM holder path and be exempted from taking the DBSM examination. If you miss the two year CBSM holder eligibility window you will continue to be eligible to apply through the general Standard or Alternate Track application which will require you take the DBSM examination. Additionally, if you present a behavioral sleep medicine workshop that offers CE hours, you are eligible to receive a CE certificate for the workshop making these hours countable towards your DBSM.
If I obtain a DBSM does it replace my CBSM?
No. The CBSM certification was granted in the past by the American Board of Sleep Medicine (ABSM) but ceased offering the certification in 2014. The CBSM is entirely separate from the DBSM granted by the BBSM. If an individual with a CBSM applies for and attains a DBSM from the BBSM, the new credential has no bearing on the status of their CBSM credential.
Does the BBSM sponsor continuing education courses?
No. The BBSM is an independent non-profit organization whose mission is to promote excellence in the multidisciplinary field of Behavioral Sleep Medicine through administering and granting credentials that are recognized as signifying a high level of competence within health-related fields for the practice of behavioral sleep medicine. It is typically the role of professional societies such as the SBSM or AASM along with dedicated CE sponsoring organization to sponsor continuing education programs.
Do CE/CME hours obtained at international conferences count toward DBSM continuing education requirements?
Yes. Provided you obtain a CE/CME sponsoring certification verifying your participation.
Do I need to take the BSM exam to obtain a DBSM if I am already credentialed in Sleep Medicine or Sleep Dentistry?
Yes, if you do not also hold the CBSM (administered between 2003-2014 by the AASM/ABSM). For those with a CBSM credential representing specialty BSM expertise, the BBSM is offering a time-limited CBSM Holder Application until July 31, 2020 that exempts applicants with a CBSM from taking the currrent BSM examination who otherwise meet DBSM eligibility requirements.
Who can I contact to get my questions answered about the BSM exam?
For additional information to answer your specific questions, please contact