The Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credential is awarded by the Academy of Certified Brain Injury Specialists (ACBIS) and validates expertise in brain injury rehabilitation across the full continuum of care. Whether you are a nurse, social worker, occupational therapist, speech-language pathologist, or any other allied health professional working with survivors of traumatic brain injury, the CBIS exam tests your knowledge of pathophysiology, acute care management, post-acute rehabilitation, behavioral management, cognitive rehabilitation, family support, and community reintegration. Practice with the free Certified Brain Injury Specialist practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (7 questions with answer explanations).
Our free CBIS practice test PDF gives you a printable collection of exam-style questions and detailed answer explanations so you can study on your schedule — at home, during a commute, or away from a screen. The questions mirror the content domains and difficulty level of the actual CBIS examination, helping you identify weak areas before test day.
Facts verified Oct 16, 2026 against Brain Injury Association of America. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | 70 multiple-choice questions | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Passing score | 78% or higher | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Exam fee | USD $325/person; groups of 5–29: $250/person; groups of 30+: $225/person | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Retake fee | Second attempt included; third attempt USD $125 | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Retake policy | Two included attempts; paid third attempt within one year; then reapply | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Validity | One year | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Renewal | Annual renewal application and payment; 10 CEUs | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Delivery | Online, on demand, automated remote proctoring | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Eligibility | High school diploma/equivalent and 500 qualifying direct-contact hours | Brain Injury Association of America |
| Testing window | Complete application approval, testing and retesting within one year | Brain Injury Association of America |
Facts verified Oct 16, 2026 against Brain Injury Association of America. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
Interactive Certified Brain Injury Specialist resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:
The CBIS examination is built around the full spectrum of acquired brain injury care. Understanding each domain helps you focus your study time on the areas most likely to appear on test day.
Questions in this area cover mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury classifications, primary versus secondary injury mechanisms, diffuse axonal injury, intracranial pressure management, and neuroplasticity concepts that underpin rehabilitation approaches.
You must know the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scoring criteria for eye opening, verbal response, and motor response, along with its limitations. The exam also tests the Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning scale — a 10-level behavioral progression from no response through purposeful and appropriate functioning — which guides rehabilitation goal-setting.
This domain addresses transitional living programs, neurobehavioral management, cognitive rehabilitation strategies, vocational rehabilitation, independent living skills, driving evaluations, and long-term support systems. Outcome measurement tools such as the FIM, DRS, and MPAI are commonly tested.
Behavioral interventions for agitation, impulsivity, and emotional dysregulation following brain injury are high-yield topics. The exam also tests knowledge of family education, caregiver burden, and the role of interdisciplinary team communication in supporting community return.
For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our cbis certification resource.
In addition to this printable PDF, you can sharpen your skills with our interactive CBIS practice test online. Our digital tests provide instant scoring, answer rationales, and performance breakdowns by content domain — giving you a detailed picture of exactly where to focus your remaining study time before the ACBIS examination.
Try these questions from our free Certified Brain Injury Specialist practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
In brain injury rehabilitation, 'scope of practice' means a CBIS professional should:
Answer: B. Practice only within the competencies defined by their credential and training
Scope of practice requires professionals to limit services to areas where they have demonstrated competence and credential authorization.
A CBIS specialist works in a rural area where they are the only brain injury professional available. A client requests a social relationship after discharge. The specialist should:
Answer: C. Carefully consider the boundary implications and consult ethics guidance before proceeding
Rural settings may create unavoidable dual roles, but the specialist must carefully evaluate ethics guidance and document the decision-making process.
When a CBIS professional disagrees with an insurance company's denial of a medically necessary brain injury service, the ethical response is to:
Answer: B. Advocate for the client through appropriate appeals and documentation processes
Ethical advocacy requires challenging unjust denials through legitimate appeals processes to protect the client's access to necessary care.
What is the role of the CBIS professional in supporting families of brain injury survivors?
Answer: B. To provide education, emotional support, and connect families with appropriate resources and services
The CBIS supports families by providing education about brain injury, offering emotional support, and linking families to community resources, services, and advocacy organizations.
Take the full Certified Brain Injury Specialist practice test