Starting or Continuing Your DME or CRT Technician Career
A career as a durable medical equipment (DME) or complex rehab technology (CRT) repair technician has big potential! There are many opportunities for individuals with a basic mechanical aptitude to find new careers within the growing DME/CRT field. The industry currently has approximately 11,000 technicians, and there is an expected increase in the wheelchair user population of 25% due to population increases and retiring baby boomers.
The DME/CRT industry is relatively new in terms of the advancement and development of standards and requirements.
Level 1 Certification
Basic medical equipment from walkers and manual wheelchairs to hospital beds, scooters and Group 2 consumer power chairs.
Level 2 Certification
CRT manual wheelchairs, Group 3 power chairs and basic seating adjustments and installation.
Level 3 Certification
Technician trainer able to teach in community colleges or any other approved training venue. DMERT- approved.
Certification Renewal
DMERT recertification requirements are intended to keep certified technicians on the leading edge of industry repair demands.
Certification Value
There is value in having DMERT Certified Technicians on your team.
- A DMERT Certified Technician is trained to troubleshoot an equipment repair more accurately, resulting in fewer field trips, saving fleet expenses and man-hours.
- DMERT Certification shows dedication to knowledgeable, quality client services, setting your business apart from the competition.
- A DMERT Certified Technician can improve client safety through quality work and repair, potentially decreasing your company's liability.
- The DMERT Certification program provides improved ability to determine a career path for potential technicians seeking employment.
Technician Training and Education
Multiple training opportunities and training options for the fulfillment of CEU/CEC certification requirements.
U.S. Rehab Tech Training:
Four times a year, U.S. Rehab travels throughout the United States providing a two-day, hands-on intensive tech training program led by multiple major manufacturer instructors and offering up to 16 CECs (1.6 CEUs). Click here to learn more.DMERT-Approved Accelerated Courses:
U.S. Rehab offers a Rehab Tech Training Level 1 - Course Bundle and a Rehab Tech Training Level 2 - Course Bundle, both of which are dedicated to standardized training guidelines and are DMERT-Approved Accelerated Education. Click here to learn more.DMERT-APPROVED Education:
U.S. Rehab and the major rehab equipment manufacturers offer courses meeting this qualification. If you're not sure if a course or educational opportunity qualifies, please contact us.
For more information on training and education requirements, download the Certification Packet.
DMERT Certification
DMERT Group is dedicated to the development and management of standards throughout the DME/CRT industry, with governance over DME/CRT repair technicians. The DMERT certification is a standard and benchmark in the DME/CRT industry. There are three levels of DMERT certification.
Level 1 Certification
DMERT Level 1 Certification ensures a technician has a thorough understanding of basic medical equipment, from walkers and manual wheelchairs to hospital beds, scooters and Group 2 consumer power chairs.
- Batteries: Theory and Troubleshooting
- Electronics Theory
- Joysticks and Programming
- Lift Chairs
- Manual Equipment Foundations
- Manual Wheelchairs
- Motors
- Patient Lifts, Standing Frames and Hospital Beds
- Power Chairs
- Rollators, Walkers and Aids to Daily Living (ADLs)
- Scooters: Components and Troubleshooting
- Tilt-In-Space Manual Wheelchairs
Technician Certification Exam Requirements:
- High school diploma or GED
- 2,000 hours of work experience, within 3 years, as a repair technician in the DME/HME (home medical equipment) industry
- 10 hours of CECs/CEUs from rehab industry DMERT-approved course(s) within prior 2 years
- DMERT Level 1 Online Theory Exam with a score of 70% or higher
OR
- High school diploma or GED
- DMERT-Approved Accelerated Education or training, meeting the Level 1 focus standards. For current qualifying option(s), click here.
- 1,000 hours of work experience, within 3 years, as a repair technician in the DME/HME industry
- 10 hours of CECs/CEUs from rehab industry DMERT-Approved Education within prior 2 years
- DMERT Level 1 Online Theory Exam with a score of 70% or higher
For more information on training and education requirements, download the Certification Packet.
Level 2 Certification
DMERT Level 2 Certification ensures a technician has a thorough understanding of complex rehab manual and power wheelchair elements, including basic seating and basic seating adjustments and installation.
- Curtis (Q-Logic) Programming and Specialty Controls
- Dynamic (LiNX) Programming and Specialty Controls
- Manual Wheelchairs Advanced
- R-Net (PG Drives) Programming and Specialty Controls
- Seating Basics
- Seating Adjustments
- Powerchair Powered Seating Repair
Technician Certification Exam Requirements:
- DMERT Level 1 Certification
- 2,000 hours of work experience, within 3 years, as a repair technician in the DME/CRT industry (Hours must be unique from those submitted for DMERT Level 1)
- 10 hours of CECs/CEUs from rehab industry DMERT-approved course(s) within prior 2 years (CECs/CEUs must be unique from those submitted for DMERT Level 1)
- DMERT Level 2 Online Theory Exam with a score of 70% or higher
OR
- DMERT Level 1 Certification
- DMERT-Approved Accelerated Education or training, meeting the Level 2 focus standards. For current qualifying option(s), click here.
- 1,000 hours of work experience, within 3 years, as a repair technician in the DME/CRT industry (Hours must be unique from those submitted for DMERT Level 1)
- 10 hours of CECs/CEUs from rehab industry DMERT-Approved Education within prior 2 years (CECs/CEUs must be unique from those submitted for DMERT Level 1)
- DMERT Level 2 Online Theory Exam with a score of 70% or higher
For more information on training and education requirements, download the Certification Packet.
Level 3 Certification
DMERT Level 3 Certification is intended for technicians seeking the ability to audit DMERT Level 1 and DMERT Level 2 Certification Exams for DMERT Group. Please contact us for more information prior to submitting for DMERT Level 3 Certification.
Technician Certification Exam Requirements:
- DMERT Level 2 Certification
- 4,000 hours of work experience, within 3 years, as a repair technician in the DME/CRT industry (Hours must be unique from those submitted for DMERT Level 1 and DMERT Level 2)
- 20 hours of CECs/CEUs from rehab industry DMERT-Approved Education within prior 2 years (CECs/CEUs must be unique from those submitted for DMERT Level 1 and DMERT Level 2)
RECertification
DMERT recertification requirements are intended to keep certified technicians on the leading edge of industry repair demands.
DMERT Certification is valid for 2 years. Technicians wishing to renew their certification need to meet the following requirements*:
- Only need to renew at the highest level of DMERT Certification achieved
- 20 hours of documented rehab industry DMERT-Approved Education in the form of CECs, CEUs or a combination of CECs & CEUs.
- Submit a $150.00 DMERT Recertification fee with a completed DMERT Recertification Packet
*DMERT Recertification requirements are prorated for technicians whose highest certification expires August 2022-September 2024. Contact info@dmertgroup.com for information.
For more information on renewal requirements, download the Renewal Packet.
DMERT-Approved Accelerated Education
DMERT-Approved Accelerated Education is currently two online education programs that provide effective, consistent training of new and existing repair technicians. This education, offered by U.S. Rehab, VGM Education, and FIOS DME Repair Training, provides the knowledge needed at each respective DMERT level:
- Rehab Tech Training Level 1 - Basic medical equipment, walkers and manual wheelchairs to hospital beds, scooters and Group 2 consumer power chairs.
- Rehab Tech Training - Level 2 - CRT manual wheelchairs, Group 3 power chairs and basic seating and basic seating adjustments and installation.
To learn more about these DMERT-Approved Accelerated Education opportunities, click the button below.