Frequently Asked Questions

First, complete the required coursework for the certification track. Then complete the case reports and/or other requirements specific to that credential, and submit them together as your certification application. Coursework alone doesn't make you certified: your application still needs to be reviewed and approved against Matheson's standards of quality and knowledge before you receive your official credential. The cost of your initial certification is included in the cost of the course, so there are no extra fees to become certified.

A course is a standalone educational unit on a specific topic. A certification track is the required coursework for a specific credential: some tracks, like CWCE and CFC/LCP, consist of a single course, while others bundle several. Either way, completing the coursework doesn't itself grant certification: you still need to submit a fieldwork application afterward, and the credential is only awarded once that application is reviewed and approved.

The coursework itself moves quickly: in-person and live-stream tracks follow scheduled training dates and can be completed in as little as 3 days in most instances, while on-demand tracks can be completed at your own pace. Certification takes longer, since it requires real-world application of what you've learned before you submit your fieldwork application. Most professionals become certified within 3 months of finishing their coursework.

Yes. Matheson certifications are recognized by employers, insurers, and legal entities across North America and internationally, particularly in medico-legal and occupational health settings.

Matheson tracks serve a wide and growing range of professionals: healthcare providers such as occupational therapists, physical therapists, kinesiologists, chiropractors, and nurses, as well as non-healthcare fields like safety professionals and engineers. We're continuously expanding into new disciplines. Specific prerequisites vary by track. Check the individual certification track page for details.

Matheson certifications are valid for 3 years from the date on the certificate. To recertify, you'll go through a process similar to your initial certification, submitting an application that demonstrates how you've applied your training and the knowledge and quality of Matheson education in your work. Recertification exists to make sure those skills don't degrade over time or drift from the high standard Matheson is known for. Recertification costs $300, or is included at no extra charge with a Professional Membership ($100/year). Visit your specific certification track page for exact requirements.

Browse the Courses or Certification Tracks pages, select your format (in-person, live stream, or on-demand), and add it to your cart. Complete checkout to confirm enrollment. You'll receive a confirmation email with next steps.

Yes. Every course in a certification track can also be purchased individually at the listed price. Buying the full track gives you a bundled discount compared to purchasing courses separately.

Yes, we offer group pricing for organizations enrolling multiple professionals. Contact us directly to discuss rates for your team.

Format change requests are handled on a case-by-case basis depending on availability and timing. Contact us as early as possible if you need to change your format.

In-person training is instructor-led at a physical location and includes hands-on labs and peer interaction. Live stream training is instructor-led online on scheduled dates, with real-time instruction and interaction. On-demand training uses recorded content that you can complete at your own pace, with lifetime replay access.

Yes. Live stream participants join the same session as in-person attendees: same instructor, same dates, same learning outcomes. The only difference is that you attend remotely.

A computer or tablet with a stable internet connection and audio is all you need. Live stream sessions use a standard video conferencing platform. On-demand content is accessible through your course portal.

No. On-demand courses include lifetime replay access. You can revisit the material at any time after completing your enrollment.

Yes. The courses that make up each certification track carry CEU credits. This means you can build toward your Matheson credential while simultaneously meeting your continuing education requirements.

Yes. The individual courses that comprise our certification tracks carry CEU credits approved by AOTA and BOC. Note that this approval is for the courses themselves, not for the certification credential, which is granted by Matheson. The APTA does not approve courses nationwide, therefore they are handled on a state by state basis.

CEU credits vary by course. Each course listing shows the number of credits included. You can find the full breakdown on each certification track page under 'Courses Included.'

FCE v3.5 runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems. Windows 11 with at least 8 GB of RAM is recommended for the smoothest experience, but older systems are still supported: Windows 10 (version 21H2 or later, all processors except Celerons), Windows Server 2003, Windows Server 2008 and Windows Azure (with additional software), and Windows Server 2012 R2 (with additional software). Mac (Leopard or newer) is supported via Parallels or WineBottler, using SMB for database connections, and Linux is supported with additional software and SMB for the database.

2 GB RAM minimum, with 4 GB ideal and 8 GB for Windows 11. 300 MB of available disk space. Screen resolution must not exceed 1600 x 900. Reports are generated in .RTF format, so MS Word, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice must be installed before setup.

Yes, with additional setup. Mac (Leopard or newer) is supported using Parallels or WineBottler, or through SMB support via a Windows server with additional software. Contact us for guidance before attempting installation.

Internet connectivity is only required for license validation, and for installation and support. We install FCE remotely using Splashtop and use the same connection to help with any issues afterward. Once the program is loaded and validated, it can be used without a continuous connection.

The installing user must be a local system administrator. Your virus scanner must be disabled during installation to ensure the SQL Server connection to the FCE database sets up correctly. MS Word, LibreOffice, or OpenOffice must be installed before setup. NET Framework 3.5 must also be installed before setup, with a reboot once that install completes.

Once the program is installed, do not change the name of the PC or the user, the name of the FCE backup or output folder, or the local admin status of the installing user. Also avoid entering quotation marks into any field other than the comments box, as this can erase the database. Any of these changes can damage the software or invalidate your device-specific license key. Re-installation due to these changes is subject to a fee.

Yes. Both McAfee and ESET users must contact Matheson Support before installing. McAfee by default blocks Visual Basic scripting and alters registry settings that FCE depends on. The fix requires opening the registry editor, searching for VBSscript.dll, and ensuring all 5 entries point to c:/windows/system32/vbscript.dll. After saving, reboot and the installer should work. On some systems, TLS 1.2 must also be enabled to allow connection through TCP port 1433 in firewall settings.

Several Adobe products (Adobe Reader, Creative Cloud, Lightroom) bundle McAfee Internet Security in their updates. These McAfee updates can silently change registry settings that block Visual Basic scripting, which FCE depends on. To fix it: open Control Panel, uninstall the McAfee Internet Security item, then open the registry editor and search for VBSscript.dll. Ensure all 5 entries read c:/windows/system32/vbscript.dll. Save, reboot, and FCE should function normally. To prevent recurrence, set Adobe Reader updates to notify rather than automatic.

OneNote takes priority over Word for any file it can open. To fix this: set up OneNote with a user account, then reboot. After rebooting, find the Office icon in the quick launch bar next to the Start button, right-click it, select Unpin from Taskbar, and then try regenerating the report in Word.

Yes. Proper malware, spyware, and virus protection must be active and kept up to date while using the software to avoid database corruption. The key distinction is that you disable your virus scanner only during installation, then re-enable it before running the program.

Yes. Rather than granting each end user local admin rights individually, you can add the FCE software, Word, and SQL Server to your Group Policy admin rules for FCE end users.

Yes. All accounts payable balances must be paid before any installation of the FCE software can be performed, unless pre-authorized by Matheson management.

We need your company's accounts payable contact information: name, email address, direct line phone number, and a purchase order number if your company uses one to authorize payment. No FCE software installation or IT support can begin without this information.

This is usually caused by a recent Windows update. Check your services and make sure SQL Server Browser is set to Automatic start, and that the SQL Server Agent (RMA) is also set to Automatic. You can start the Browser service manually; RMA will start on its own when FCE launches.

This means there isn't enough memory available to complete the task. It often happens when too many patient charts are open at once, so close any you're not actively working in. Close other running programs and try again. A reboot may be necessary.

This can result from an update that corrupted the richtx32.dll file used to send data to the print spooler. Replace the file with the original (available at dllfiles.com) and reboot.

Our cancellation policy covers refunds and rescheduling timelines based on how far in advance you cancel.

Transfers are handled case by case, so email info@mathesondifference.com with your request and we'll work with you to find a solution. If a transfer isn't possible, our standard terms still apply: cancel at least 14 days before the course starts and you'll receive a refund, or cancel closer to the date and you'll receive full credit toward a future Matheson course. Course credit must be used within 1 year of the original course date.

If Matheson cancels a course, you'll be notified as soon as possible and can choose a full refund of your registration fee or full credit toward a future Matheson course. If Matheson reschedules a course, you can attend the new date, apply your registration fee as credit toward a future course, or request a full refund.