ARCB :: Hand Certification

From the 2007 job analysis survey sent to ARCB Certified Reflexologists, we know that 52% of the respondents reported that they do work with hands – we want to offer all those professionals currently using hand reflexology the opportunity to become certified in Hand Reflexology.

From the 2008 ARCB School survey we know that the majority of school respondents offer a combined (foot/hand or foot/hand/ear) program with a range of 5 to 60 hours dedicated to Hand Reflexology. Therefore, we feel that it is important to initially require a smaller number of in-class hours to accommodate a broader range of schools and students.

Also, ARCB can require a smaller number of in-class Hand Reflexology hours because general Anatomy & Physiology, ethics, (overall) history, business practice have already been addressed and tested in the ARCB Foot exam.

2. How was the requirement for 50 hours, including 30 in-class hours and 20 ARCB documentations determined?

The goal was to arrive at a number that meets three criteria of reasonableness:

· Reasonable and manageable for schools/teachers to accommodate the in-class requirement. Some may need to increase the number of hours, some can meet the requirement with their current hours and a very few offer a greater number of in-class hours. Of the schools/teachers that responded to the ARCB survey, there are only two that offer a stand-alone Hand Reflexology course (both include 100 or more hours). Of the remaining respondents all offered hand reflexology as a component of either a combined Foot/Hand/Ear program or a combined Foot/Hand program. The number of hours dedicated to hand reflexology in the combined programs ranged from five (5) to thirty (30).

· Reasonable for applicants to demonstrate their knowledge of documenting hand reflexology. The difference between foot and hand terminology and identifying anatomical landmarks of the hand and is not so great that it discourages certification.

· Reasonable as an overall professional requirement to demonstrate a minimum level of competence. The mission of the ARCB is to promote the advancement of the field through the recognition of as many Reflexologists as possible who practice on a professional basis and whose core competencies meet national standards.

3. If I learned hand reflexology from a Schools/Teacher that teaches a combined (Foot/Hand or Foot/Hand/Ear) Program, how will they provide evidence to the ARCB that I have completed the required number of in-class hours (30 hours)?

The School/Teacher must supply the ARCB with an ARCB verification form that states that the Program is a Combined Program that covers the required components to prepare the student for the ARCB Hand Certification exam and has provided 30 (or more) hours of in-class training dedicated to Hand Reflexology.

4. What if the Combined Program offered 110 in-class hours that was applied to the requirement for my Foot Reflexology Certification?

Upon initiation of the ARCB Hand Certification Examination, hours dedicated to Hand Reflexology that were applied towards your Foot Certification may also be applied to the in-class hour requirement for Hand Certification. This may be considered “double-dipping”. However, it will be permitted for an initial period of one to two years in order to allow teachers to adjust their programs, accommodate ARCB certificants who meet the minimum criteria from past courses and allow the ARCB to assess the initial results with teachers and Hand certificants.

5. What if the School/Teacher program I completed prior to my ARCB certification did not offer at least 30 in-class hour of hand reflexology?

You will need to provide the ARCB of completion of a (minimum of) 30 hour Hand Reflexology class. Therefore you may need to take additional course in Hand Reflexology to make up the required number of hours.

6. How Can I find Schools/Teachers that provide 30 hours (or more) of in-class Hand Reflexology?

The ARCB website will be updated as teachers/schools provide us information on their hand program or component of combined program.

7. What do I need to know to be prepared to take the ARCB Hand Reflexology Exam?

The new Hand Study Outline will define what you need to know including: Anatomy/Physiology/Kinesiology:

· Biomechanics and kinesiology of the wrist, hand and fingers

· Basic anatomical terminology (bones, joints, muscles, tendons, ligaments)

· Pathology related to hand and wrist

Hand Reflexology

Reflex chart/location of reflexes
Guidelines
Techniques
Relaxation techniques
Working techniques
Areas of emphasis

Teachers will be required to provide verification that their course has included the above requirements (as they are required to do so for foot reflexology requirements).

8. Can I take a Hand Certification class and also apply it towards Continuing Education (CE) requirements?

No, effective 2009, you cannot take a class to qualify for the hand certification exam and also apply it towards your next CE requirements.

However, If you completed a separate hand reflexology class (30 or more hours in length) prior to 2009 and it was applied towards your past CE requirements, you may use it to qualify for the hand certification exam provided it meets that teaching requirements.

9. Bill has a course of Basic Hand Reflexology that offers 7 CE hours. Can one use that towards the Foot CE?

You cannot apply in-class hours for hand reflexology certification towards fulfillment of ARCB CEs. If you apply Bill’s basic towards your 30 in-class hours of hand reflexology training – you cannot also use it towards CEs.

10. Will the ARCB hand certification change or impact the Continuing Education (CE) requirement?

The current CE requirement will remain the same – CE Units required in 24 months on a subject(s) that contribute to the personal and/or professional growth of the practitioner. There is no plan for CEs specific to Foot or Hand training once the hand certification program is offered.

11. Can I take the foot certification exam and the hand certification exam on the same weekend if they are both offered?

No, you must receive your ARCB foot certification first.

12. Will the ARCB offer a combined test or a standalone test that does not require ARCB certification on foot reflexology in the future?

We have been asked these questions and thought about them ourselves. Our plan is to evaluate the current hand certification process and then to evaluate what any future course of action. In order to implement a different variation of hand or foot examination, the ARCB must first conduct another job analysis followed by a school survey and the development of a different exam by a qualified educational psychometric professional.