Fill Out PDF Version of Application

CERTIFICATION PROCESS

1st: Fill out application SEE LINK

2nd: Pay Fee

Healthcare professionals & lay persons wishing to join the CTNF must submit their application with $495.00 USD to cover registration and enrollment costs (DOWLOAD VERSION OF STUDY MATERIALS). $620.00 (FOR PRINTED VERSION). Once the application and fee are processed, applicants will receive a copy of the CTNF manual to guide them through the practice of colon hydrotherapy. This manual serves as the basis for certification testing with our organization. For more information regarding certification, follow our “certification” link.

Please mail in or fax your application, including nursing/medical credentials (all lay persons MUST supply proof of completion of college level Anatomy & Physiology I + II ) with enrollment fee to:

 

The Colon Therapist Nursing Foundation
174 Summit Avenue, Suite 203
Summit, NJ 07901

3rd: Receive Study Materials

Study Materials

Each applicant will receive the Colon Therapit Nursing Foundation’s manual. This manual contains information on everything from starting your own scolonic business to an encyclopedia of digestive diseases their causes, symptoms and treatments.

This manual serves as the basis for certification. The manual is approximately 700 pages long and you should give yourself ample time to study.

Each applicant will receive the Colon Therapist Nursing Foundation’s manual. This manual contains information on everything from starting your own colonic business to an encyclopedia of digestive diseases their causes, symptoms and treatments.

The foundation created a manual we believe contains “the basics;” information all colon therapists should know before treating patients. In no way is this “the final word” on education as a colon therapist. Before becoming fully certified by our organization assisting and observing licensed therapists, receiving colonics and other hands-on experiences are vital to creating a safe and successful colon therapist. Also, we encourage therapists to seek continuing education opportunities. The manual is a good place to start.

The following is the TABLE OF CONTENTS for the CTNF Training Manual:

1. Starting a Colon Therapy Business
2. Anatomy and Physiology of Digestion
3. Anatomy of the Immune System
4. Nutrition and Diet Counseling for the Patient
5. Exercise Counseling for the Patient
6. Patient Physical Assessment
7. Patient History Assessment
8. Teaching the Patient
9. Conducting a Colon Irrigation Session
10. Patient Consent Form
11. Code of Practice for the CTNF
12. Closed v. Open System Colonic Devices
13. Contraindications for Colon Irrigation
14. What can go wrong?
15. Colonic Device Manufacturers
16. Problems in the Industry
17. Standing Orders for Colon Irrigation
18. Pathophysiology of Digestive Diseases

The manual is the knowledge base for all applicants to receive certification. Thorough knowledge of the manual will increase your chances of passing the Foundation’s certification testing.

4th: Study for Exam

How to Study for the CTNF Exam

The manual contains an overwhelming amount of material. Those seeking certification status should thoroughly review the material and focus on information most important to the daily practice of colon hydrotherapy – this includes knowledge of digestive diseases and ailments.

The test is approximately 300 questions in length and contains both True/False and multiple-choice formatted questions. All of the questions come directly from materials contained in manual. Here is the breakdown of what the test questions cover:

5% - General Knowledge: colonics, laws & regulations relating to colonics
5% - The Diegestive System: how it works, organ function
4% - The Immune and Lymphatic System
5% - Diet and Exercise Assessment and general knowledge
26% - Patient Assessment
51% - Digestive Diseases: Causes, Symptoms and Treatments

As you can see, more than half of the questions relate to SECTION 18 – Pathophysiology of Digestive Diseases. Since more than half of the test requires you to know the definitions of, symptoms of and causes of different digestive diseases, flash cards are suggested as one way to prepare.

Over one quarter of the test questions relate to performing physical assessments of patients as outlined in the CTNF manual. One of the best memorization techniques is hands-on experience. Practice physical assessments, as they are outlined in the manual, on willing friends and family members to help study for the test.

 

5th: Take Test

Getting Proctored to take the Exam

The first step towards certification with the Colon Therapist Nursing Foundation is passing the certification test. The test is not an open book test and cannot be taken with a study guide or other materials. It can be taken practically anywhere.

Select a proctor at a site near your home or place of work. You can take the exam at an accredited college or university or at any public library. It is advisable to find a location close to your home or workplace so that you have easy access during the official test week.

• Contact your local college or university and find a full-time member of the testing office or a full-time professor or professional staff member. Adjunct and part-time professors do not qualify.

• Contact your local public library. A full-time librarian at a public library is acceptable as a proctor. Librarians at elementary and high schools, however, do not qualify.

• Active duty military should utilize the base Test Control Officer (TCO), and Education Services Officer (ESO) or any commissioned officer (CWO2 and above), serving on active duty, who is senior to the student in rank and not serving within the student’s direct chain of command.

• We do not send exams to employers, coworkers, corporate training offices, members of the clergy, family members, or friends. Be sure to verify that your proctor is available during the time period when you will be ready to take the exam. Once the proctor is approved, the exam will be mailed from CTNF two weeks before the official test week. Call your proctor the week before the official test week to confirm delivery of the examination(s) and to set up a specific test date.

In your test package you will receive a notification of proctor form which needs to be filled out and returned to us (fax & email are acceptable).

Here is how taking the test works:

1. After the foundation receives your application, including copies of your current certification, licensure or education, the librarian you have selected will receive a large sealed envelope marked TESTING MATERIALS with your name on it.

2. YOU CANNOT SELF-ADMINSITER THE EXAM. PROOF OF PROCTOR IS REQUIRED TO PASS.

3. When the exam is completed, the test proctor will place it in the pre-addressed stamped envelope provided, seal and sign it for the applicant to mail.

4. Once received by the Foundation, the test will be scored, and results will be kept on file with your application. Notification of passing, as well as areas of weakness will be sent to applicant.

IMPORTANT: DO NOT MAKE COPIES OF TESTING MATERIALS THEY MUST BE RETURNED TO CTNF. The test proctor is the only person authorized to open the test materials envelope. The testing materials must be returned within 30 days of when they were sent.

6th: Receive Open & Closed Colonics

Being a Patient

There are two categories of colonic equipment available for your practice, open or closed systems. Each applicant is required to receive a minimum of three treatments on each type of colonic system and provide proof of treatment for the foundation’s records. Experience will help applicants to decide which procedure they believe to be more effective.

It is also important for applicants to sympathize with their patients and gain first hand experience with each type of colonic procedure. The differences between receiving and administering open and closed system colonics should be experienced as well studied. Applicants should take this opportunity to visit with as many different physicians performing colonics to discover what healthcare practitioners believe are the benefits of colonics, and why they chose the device they use. Also, once this process is completed applicants will need to briefly mentor with a licensed colon therapist – find one who is willing to let you work with them and share their experience and knowledge.

The terms open and closed refer to how waste from the procedure is disposed. In a closed system, water for cleansing flows into the patient through the same tube through which waste is extracted. Once the therapist inserts the speculum, water flowing into the patient and waste flowing out of the patient is closed off from open air and contained within the unit. Administering a closed system requires the therapist’s constant attention to fill the patients colon with water and extract waste in controlled cycles. Water pressure, water temperature and pressure within the colon must be monitored constantly to avoid leakage or colon perforation. Extra care is required to administer a closed system because closed systems deliver a pressurized stream of water into the colon.

In an open system, the filling of the colon is accomplished using a gravity created, low-pressure stream; waste extraction occurs naturally as the patient’s bowels contract to excrete waste. Once the speculum is inserted, water flowing into the patient is closed to the open air; however, waste is excreted into a collection basin and then into a closed view tube. Hence, waste is exposed to open air temporarily before disposal. Because waste removal is natural, and risk of colon perforation minimized, open systems typically allow for greater patient privacy, depending on the therapist.

7th: Receive CTNF PROBATIONARY STATUS

CTNF Probationary Status

Once an applicant has

1) submitted their application and credentials

2) taken and passed the CTNF certification exam

3) received a minimum of six colonic treatments (3 closed and 3 open-unless receiving such sessions are medically contraindicated-in which case the applicant must provide physician proof of such)

the applicant will attain probationary status.

 

8th: Monitor & Assist colonic sessions

Probationary status allows the applicant to work with a certified colon therapist to help observe and administer colonics to patients. This experience is invaluable, and can be most helpful in learning about both the medical and business side of colon hydrotherapy. Certified colon therapist my be certified by CTNF or I-ACT or have been a colon therapist that has performed in excess of 1000 colon hydrotherapy sessions.

Upon completion of ten mentored sessions during probationary status where applicant has assisted and/or observed TEN open or closed sessions, and submited proof of mentorship and a letter of recommendation from their mentor; applicant achieves full CTNF certification status.

 

9th: CTNF CERTIFIED STATUS

CTNF Certified Status

 

Only Nursing/Medical & Lay persons that have received CTNF certification and adhere to CTNF policies and procedures that comply with Federal, State & Local Regulations are permitted to perform Colon Irrigation under the auspicies of the CTNF:

THESE PROTOCALS MUST BE ADHERED TO:

• “CODE OF PRACTICE FOR COLON HYDROTHERAPISTS”
• “COLON THERAPY Tx PROTOCOL”
• “CLIENT CONSCENT FORM”
• “CLIENT INTAKE EVALUATION”

SEE MANUAL FOR DETAILS

 

10th: Renewal of Certification

Applicant will be required to perform 50 Colonic sessions per year and provide proof of purchase for supplies from Colon Hydrotherapy manufacturer that will indicate such sessions were completed. Fees for certification renewal are $49.00 every three years.

In the event that applicant fails to renew within the prescribed time period and subsequent 90 day grace period; applicant will be required to pay a late fee of $25.00. In the event that applicant fails to renew within 1 year of expiration the applicant will be required to retest and pay a $200.00 retesting fee.

 

Fill Out PDF Version of Application

 

 

HOME