The question for today comes in from a message sent to me via facebook . . .

Yes. That is correct . . . you CAN be certified with the Society of Experiential Trance through distance video examination.

Go to the SET webpages at http://www.trancesociety.org and check the section on certification. Under the basic hypnotist member certification section you will find a list of skillsets that you need to demonstrate on video as well as explanations of how many different videos you need and how many different people you must be seen hypnotizing.

Contact any of the certified instructors about their fees for video examination – I currently charge US$45 to vette a video exam at the moment (although, honestly, that will go up soon as it's a lot of work to watch the videos that closely), I don't know how much others would charge as I don't know who else has stared actually offering the service as yet (at the moment, any of the certified instructors are qualified to do so).  Once you've contacted an appropriate instructor, then send the videos (usually DVD data files are fine but I've had folks FTP 'em to their servers for me to download if they were in a hurry) and the instructor will then vette it and then you can go through the registration process, assuming you pass. If you pass the exam, the instructor will forward the info to the Society and you can then pay your membership fees and receive the papers.

Don't forget, SET instructors may also offer live examination for previously trained or skilled hypnotists who demonstrate the skills with live volunteers to receive their credentials.  Of course, untrained individuals are encouraged to take a course, although distance video education and even self-study options are acceptable as long as basic skill competence is gained.

Actually, folks who purchase my Comprehensive Basic Hypnosis Course DVD set at http://www.briandavidphillips.net/store and complete the video examination with me within one year of purchase have their examination fees and one year membership fees with the Society covered by me.  The course covers ALL of the skillsets required by the examination (even the stuff very very few other folks teach) and more.

The Society of Experiential Trance at http://www.trancesociety.org has no written exams. Everything is about actual performance of skillsets.