Eligibility Qualifications

Certification eligibility criteria is usually based on experience and/or formal education and the successful passing of some form of examination. As both the CDMP and CRTWC designations continue to gain international recognition, maintaining consistent and current DM/RTW educational competency standards ensures that applicants’ knowledge aligns with evolving developments in disability management and return to work coordination. The Occupational Standards in Disability Management (DM) identified that formal educational resources in DM have been limited in the past and it is therefore essential that experience and supervision standards emphasize workplace-based DM activities. The following chart identifies the education and experience required in order to be eligible to apply for the certification examinations.

The Certification Council will only accept full-time paid employment (FTE) or its equivalent as a valid fulfillment of the employment criteria. Roles and responsibilities of employment must have been in the direct provision of disability management / return to work services for workers with disabilities encompassing the domain areas identified. A letter of attestation completed by the supervisor must be included in the application package.

Given the developmental process currently in DM services, it is recognized that supervision (direct/indirect) by a RTWC or a DMP may not be feasible. Provision is made for management representatives involved in the institutionalizing of DM services in a given setting or professional educational mentors to provide attestation to roles and responsibilities assumed by the applicant. It is expected that internships will become a requirement of future formal educational programs in DM.

In order to verify educational backgrounds, official transcripts are required to be sent directly to the Certification Council C/O NIDMAR. To be considered valid, official transcripts from educational institutions must bear the official seal of the institution, the signature of the institution’s registrar, and the seal on the envelope bearing the transcript cannot be broken. International credential evaluation reports must accompany credentials granted outside of Canada. Electronic transcripts are acceptable provided they come directly from the issuing post-secondary institution or from a secure digital credential platform used by post-secondary institutions.

updated Spring 2026

Education

official transcripts required for post-secondary education and DM competency coursework

Employment

letter of attestation required from current employer and previous employer if applicant has been in their current role for less time than the minimum requirement
Pathway 1 Masters degree in a health related field (nursing, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic, MD) or MA in DM

AND

Diploma, certificate, or short course equivalents in DM (minimum 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, signed by an official of the institution offering the course)

 and Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM

 

Letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead required
Pathway 2 Bachelor of Disability Management

and

 Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM

Letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead required
Pathway 3 Bachelors degree in a health related field (nursing, occupational health nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, kinesiology, chiropractic)

AND

Diploma, certificate or short course equivalents in DM (minimum 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, and signed by an official of the institution offering the course)

and

 Minimum of 1 year performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM

 

Letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead required
Pathway 4 Diploma or certificate program in Disability Management that addresses ALL DM/RTW competency domain areas

Note: if program was completed more than 5 years prior to year of application, 50 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses completed within the last 5 years are required – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, signed by an official of the institution offering the course)

and

 Minimum of 2 years performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM

 

Letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead required
Pathway 5 Other educational experiences, credentials and short courses in DM program principles and delivery (minimum 100 hours of DM/RTW competency related courses during the last 5 years – proof of attendance with details of courses including course description, date course took place, number of course hours, and signed by an official of the institution offering the course)

and

 Minimum of 3 years performing roles and responsibilities during the last 5 years with at least 50% or more of time in the delivery of DM services, supervised by qualified DM supervisor or management representative responsible for DM

Letter of attestation from supervisor on employer letterhead required

For further information regarding eligibility criteria, please contact the National Institute of Disability Management and Research (NIDMAR) at:

Telephone: (778) 421-0821 ext 210
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.nidmar.ca

or use our AI CDMP GoldStandard for you questions- https://cdmpgoldstandardguide.nidmar.ca/

Requisite Disability Management Education Component

Some people who are looking to enter into the field of disability management and want to get their certification have asked where can they get the requisite disability management education component – especially if they have not taken any disability management education. Please go to this page for more information.

Disability Management education activities must fall under the occupational standards identified in the nine domain areas that are the core skills and competencies that are required for effective disability management practice.

The certification examination is based on the domain areas of knowledge identified in the Occupational Standards in Disability Management.