The National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Medical Technology (NBDHMT) was formed in 1991 and introduced a certification program for all technologists working in the field as well as an 'approved' introductory training course for those desiring to enter the field. It was not the intention of the NBDHMT to provide an 'entry level' pathway for certification in hyperbaric technology (CHT). Certification was offered as an 'added qualification'. It was anticipated that this broad cross section of health care providers would include licensed registered and vocational nurses, therapists, chamber technicians, physician assistants, diving medical technicians, corpsmen, physiologists, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, life support technicians, researchers and physicians involved in the delivery of undersea, hyperbaric and aviation medicine and related research activities.