Hyperbaric Technologist Certification (CHT): Paths, Requirements & Options
If you have searched for “CHT certification,” you have probably found two different things that share the same letters. The Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) is a clinical credential issued by the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT). O₂ Pro Academy's Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) is a private wellness-practice training credential. This guide explains each one clearly so you can choose the right path.
By Randall Chesnutt, O₂ Pro Academy · Last updated
Two credentials, same letters
The abbreviation is the only thing these two credentials have in common. They are issued by different organizations, prepare people for different settings and have different requirements.
The NBDHMT Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) is the recognized credential for technologists who operate hyperbaric chambers in clinical hyperbaric medicine — hospital and outpatient wound-care or hyperbaric departments working under physician supervision.
O₂ Pro Academy's Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) is a private professional training credential for wellness practitioners who offer mild hyperbaric sessions (typically soft chambers) in gyms, recovery studios and wellness clinics. It is not affiliated with the NBDHMT and does not replace or qualify anyone for the NBDHMT credential.
The NBDHMT Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT)
The NBDHMT has certified hyperbaric technologists for decades and is the credential most clinical hyperbaric employers look for. The CHT focuses on safe chamber operation in a medical setting: patient monitoring, pressurization and decompression, emergency procedures, fire safety, equipment and the approved indications for clinical hyperbaric oxygen therapy.
Requirements are set and updated by the NBDHMT, so always check its website for the current rules. In general terms, candidates are expected to:
- Hold a qualifying background, typically an existing healthcare credential or relevant experience, as defined by the NBDHMT.
- Complete an NBDHMT-approved introductory course in hyperbaric medicine.
- Complete a period of supervised clinical hyperbaric experience.
- Pass the NBDHMT certification exam.
- Maintain the credential with continuing education and periodic recertification.
Who the NBDHMT CHT is for
The clinical CHT is the right choice if you want to work in a hospital or outpatient hyperbaric medicine department, operate hard-shell chambers delivering clinical HBOT (1.4 ATA and above, as defined by the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society), or build a career in clinical hyperbaric or diving medicine. Respiratory therapists, nurses, EMTs, paramedics and similar professionals often follow this path. Nurses may also look at hyperbaric nursing certification.
O₂ Pro Academy's Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™)
O₂ Pro Academy's Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) is designed for a different job: running a safe, professional mild hyperbaric service in a wellness or performance business. It focuses on how hyperbaric pressure affects oxygen in the body, the difference between mild chambers and clinical HBOT, client screening and contraindications, ear equalization and comfort, session protocols, fire and oxygen-equipment safety, honest client communication and building the service into a practice.
It is a private professional training credential issued by O₂ Pro Academy (Spoken About Media, LLC). It is not a government license, it is not the NBDHMT Certified Hyperbaric Technologist credential, and it does not qualify anyone to deliver clinical hyperbaric medicine.
Start with the Certified Oxygen Performance Specialist™ (COPS™) — $197, self-paced, lifetime certification. Start with COPS™ →
CHT vs CHT™ comparison table
Here are the two credentials side by side.
| Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) | Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) | |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) | O₂ Pro Academy (Spoken About Media, LLC) |
| Setting | Clinical hyperbaric medicine (hospitals, outpatient HBOT) | Wellness, recovery and performance businesses |
| Chamber types | Clinical hard-shell chambers, 1.4 ATA and above | Mild hyperbaric chambers, mostly soft chambers around 1.3 ATA |
| Requirements | Qualifying background, approved course, supervised clinical hours, board exam (see NBDHMT) | Online self-paced training; COPS™ recommended first |
| Focus | Clinical chamber operation under physician supervision | Safe mild-hyperbaric sessions, screening and practice-building |
| Credential type | Recognized clinical credential | Private professional training credential, not a license |
Questions to ask any hyperbaric training program
Whichever direction you take, ask a few direct questions before you enroll so there are no surprises later:
- Who issues the credential, and is it a clinical certification, a private training credential or a license?
- Which settings and chamber types does the training prepare you for — clinical hard-shell HBOT or mild wellness chambers?
- Does the program cover screening, contraindications, emergency procedures and fire safety in detail?
- What are the requirements to earn and keep the credential, such as exams, clinical hours or continuing education?
- What claims does the program teach you to make to clients, and are they consistent with current evidence and local regulations?
- What are the rules in your state or country for operating hyperbaric equipment and supervising clients?
Which path is right for you?
If your goal is a job in a hospital or clinical hyperbaric department, pursue the NBDHMT Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT). O₂ Pro Academy training will not substitute for it.
If you own or work in a gym, recovery studio, chiropractic office or wellness clinic and want to offer mild hyperbaric sessions safely and professionally, O₂ Pro Academy's Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) is built for that. Most practitioners start with the Certified Oxygen Performance Specialist™ (COPS™) for the foundation in oxygen science, breathing and client assessment — including the free BOLT Score test — then specialize.
Some professionals do both: they hold a clinical credential and use wellness-practice training to understand the business and client side of mild hyperbaric services.
This is educational, not medical advice. Oxygen and altitude-based services are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a licensed clinician. Anyone with a heart, lung, blood, neurological or other serious medical condition, or who is pregnant, should get clinician guidance first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CHT the same as Certified Hyperbaric Technologist?
Not at O₂ Pro Academy. The Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) is a clinical credential issued by the NBDHMT. O₂ Pro Academy's Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) is a separate private wellness-practice training credential that is not affiliated with the NBDHMT.
Does O₂ Pro Academy's CHT™ qualify me to work in a hospital hyperbaric department?
No. Clinical hyperbaric departments generally look for the NBDHMT Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) and other clinical credentials. The CHT™ is designed for wellness and mild-hyperbaric practice settings.
How do I become an NBDHMT Certified Hyperbaric Technologist?
In general, you need a qualifying background, an NBDHMT-approved introductory hyperbaric course, supervised clinical experience and a passing score on the NBDHMT exam. Check the NBDHMT website for current requirements.
Is the Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ a license?
No. It is a private professional training credential issued by O₂ Pro Academy. It is not a government license and does not expand anyone's legal scope of practice.
Where should I start?
For wellness practice, start with the Certified Oxygen Performance Specialist™ (COPS™) foundation course, then specialize as a Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™). For clinical hyperbaric work, go to the NBDHMT.
O₂ Pro Academy credentials (COPS™, CAT™, CHT™, CBS™, CVS™) are private professional training credentials issued by O₂ Pro Academy (Spoken About Media, LLC). They are not government licenses and do not expand anyone's legal scope of practice.
Start with COPS™ — $197 · Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™)
- Certified Hyperbaric Therapist™ (CHT™) — Wellness hyperbaric practice training.
- CHT™ Curriculum — See every module in the CHT™ track.
- IHHT vs HBOT — Altitude therapy vs hyperbaric oxygen compared.
- BOLT Score Test & Calculator — A simple client breathing assessment.