CAT™ Certification Due to Special Circumstances 

The Grandparent Option was designed for those who are not new to the accessibility/residential industry with a minimum of 6,000 hours (3 years) on the job training in the field. The Grandparent Option expired on December 31, 2005 but the Certification Board is accepting letters requesting to apply for the Grandparent option under Special Circumstances. In order to be considered for the Special Circumstances option, you must meet all the eligibility requirements of the Grandparent Option that was in effect for the respective certification program.

Must provide a detailed explanation on why he or she should be permitted to sit for a special circumstances examination. The specific permitted reasons for requesting a special circumstances examination must consist of at least one of the following:

1. Military Service
2. Out of the country for an extended amount of time of more than two years
3. Serious illness as documented by a licensed medical doctor
4. Having previously worked in the accessibility/residential industry but having been out of the industry for not more than five years
5. Change of employment when an individual's previous employer did not require certification
6. New or changed legislation that requires certification that did not previously require certification in the individual's respective home or state
7. Other special circumstances approved by the board.

To be considered for the Special Circumstances option send a letter addressed to the Certification Board to NAEC, 1298 Wellbrook Circle NE Conyers, GA 30012 with the following 3 questions answered in the letter:

1. Why you didn't apply for the Grandparent option before it expired 12/31/2005?
2. What has changed that you need the certification now?
3. If you had applied, would you have had the 6,000 hours in the accessibility/residential prior to 12/31/2005?

If you are approved by the Certification Board to take the Special Circumstances test, you will have 120 days to successfully complete the test.  

Special Circumstances Criteria

• 6,000 documented hours (3 years) of on-the-job training
• Approval of completed Application
• Application Fee: $500.00 NAEC Member, $900.00 Non-member
• Pass CAT™ Exam