How to Get Your CTAA Wheelchair Securement Certification: A Step by Step Guide for NEMT Providers

NEMT Standard Consultants
May 30
6 min read

If you have been searching for how to get your CTAA Wheelchair Securement certification, you are in the right place. This is one of the most commonly asked questions among new and experienced NEMT providers alike, and the process is not always clearly explained in one place. This guide breaks down exactly what is required, how to complete each step, what to watch out for, and where to get trained.

What Is the CTAA Wheelchair Securement Certification?

The Community Transportation Association of America, known as CTAA, is one of the most recognized credentialing bodies in the non-emergency medical transportation industry. Their Wheelchair Securement certification is a nationally recognized credential that demonstrates a provider or driver has been properly trained in the hands on techniques required to safely transport passengers who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

This certification is required or strongly recommended by many Medicaid broker contracts, facility partnerships, and state level compliance standards. Beyond what any contract requires, it is a foundational credential that reflects the level of professionalism and safety your company brings to every trip.

What Are the Two Components of This Certification?

There are two separate and required steps to completing this certification. Both must be completed and one cannot substitute for the other.

Step 1: CTAA PASS Basic Certificate

PASS stands for Passenger Assistance Safety and Sensitivity. This is the prerequisite for your Wheelchair Securement training and it must be completed before you can move forward. The PASS Basic course is self-paced and completed entirely online through CTAA directly. It consists of several hours of video content covering passenger assistance techniques, sensitivity training, disability awareness, and safety fundamentals.

Upon completion you will receive your CTAA PASS Basic certificate. This certificate is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, meaning your in person Wheelchair Securement training must be completed within that 90 day window.

You can register for the CTAA PASS Basic course directly through CTAA at ctaa.org/pass-online. Budget adequate time before you begin. This is not a course you want to rush through.

Step 2: In Person CTAA Wheelchair Securement Training

Once you have your PASS Basic certificate in hand, you are eligible to complete the in person Wheelchair Securement training with a CTAA authorized and certified instructor. This component cannot be completed online. There is no virtual option and there is no shortcut. This hands on training covers the physical techniques of properly securing a wheelchair inside a vehicle, four point and eight point tie down systems, passenger safety protocols, safe loading and unloading procedures, and the proper handling of various mobility devices. You must be physically present, actively participating, and demonstrating competency under the guidance of a certified instructor.

Once both components are complete, you will hold your full CTAA Wheelchair Securement certification and can submit it to any broker, contract, or facility partner that requires it.

How Do You Find a CTAA Certified Wheelchair Securement Instructor?

This is where many NEMT providers hit a wall. CTAA maintains a list of certified Wheelchair Securement instructors and you can contact them directly to request a list of trainers in your state. The reality is that list can be longer than you expect and still leave you without a viable option. Many instructors on that list hold the credential but are no longer actively training the public. Some conducted training at one point and have since stopped. Others do not open their sessions to providers outside of their own organization.

Holding a certification and actively offering training to the public are two very different things. It is one of the most consistent frustrations NEMT providers across the country run into when trying to get this credential completed.

If you find yourself in that position and cannot locate an active instructor near you, My Elite Courses offers this course biweekly in the Tampa, Florida area. We also offer on-site and group travel options for teams and companies that cannot make it to Tampa. You should not have to put your certification on hold because availability is limited in your market. We built this program specifically to close that gap.

A Note on Online Wheelchair Securement Courses

This is worth addressing directly because there is a growing number of fully online Wheelchair Securement courses available that will hand you a certificate after completing a video module. NEMT Standard does not approve or recommend any online Wheelchair Securement training outside of CTAA or NEMTAC.

Wheelchair securement is a physical, hands on skill. It requires real equipment, real wheelchairs, real tie down systems, and a certified instructor who can observe and correct your technique in real time. Watching a video online and clicking through a quiz does not prepare you for what this work actually demands. It does not make you safer. It does not make your passengers safer. It simply checks a box.

The passengers you transport are trusting you and your team with their safety. That trust deserves more than a certificate earned through a screen.

NEMTAC, the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Accreditation Commission, is an emerging accreditation body that is gaining significant recognition across the NEMT industry. Their standards are worth following and aligning with alongside CTAA. Outside of CTAA and NEMTAC, proceed with caution when evaluating any training program claiming to certify you in Wheelchair Securement.

In Person CTAA Wheelchair Securement Training in Tampa, Florida

MyEliteCourses offers in person CTAA Wheelchair Securement training biweekly in the Tampa, Florida area. Current pricing is $150 per student, making this the lowest priced option on the market for this certification.

To be clear MyEliteCourses is not CTAA. We are a CTAA certified instructor authorized to deliver CTAA Wheelchair Securement training. The certification your drivers and team members receive upon completing our session is issued through CTAA. We are simply the authorized instructors facilitating the hands on training on their behalf. When you train with us, you are training with a CTAA certified instructor and walking away with a legitimate CTAA credential.

Every session is designed to put you through the full hands on experience this credential requires. The time, preparation, and quality of instruction invested into every class reflects the standard we believe every NEMT provider should bring to this industry. This is not about checking a box. It is about putting properly trained professionals on the road who represent the safety and professionalism this community deserves.

Upcoming sessions are posted and registration is available at myelitecourses.com/ctaawheelchairsecurement. Spots fill up, so do not wait until the last minute.

Training Outside of Tampa — On-Site and Group Options

If you are not able to travel to Tampa, NEMT Standard offers on-site and group training options. We can travel to your location and conduct the training for your team directly as CTAA certified instructors. A minimum of six participants is required for travel sessions. Pricing for on-site and travel sessions is subject to change based on trainer travel fees, so reach out before booking to confirm your group size and get accurate pricing.

If you are an owner operator and want to bring other providers in your area together for a shared session, we can open a preregistration and coordinate the session once the minimum is met. This is a great option for small operators who want to get their team certified without bearing the full cost of a travel session alone.

Attending the Industry Conference in August?

We have an upcoming session in August for providers attending the industry conference. If you are planning to be there, this is a convenient opportunity to knock out your certification while you are already traveling. Register in advance as space is limited.

Quick Reference — What You Need to Get Started

Complete your PASS Basic prerequisite first directly through CTAA at ctaa.org/pass-online

Your PASS Basic certificate must be issued within 90 days of your scheduled in person class date

In person training must be completed with a CTAA authorized instructor

NEMT Standard and MyEliteCourses are CTAA certified instructors, not CTAA itself

Current pricing for our Tampa sessions is $150 per student

On-site and group travel options are available for a minimum of six participants

The Bottom Line

Getting your CTAA Wheelchair Securement certification is a two step process that requires real commitment and real participation. Start with your PASS Basic directly through CTAA at ctaa.org/pass-online. Complete your in person training with a CTAA certified instructor within 90 days. Do not substitute a fully online course for the hands on component. And if you are having trouble finding an active instructor in your area, we are here.

This credential matters. The way you earn it matters just as much.

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