Application Process

1.	Submit a completed application and ensure that two applicant reference forms have been completed and returned to the ABC. The application and references must be received by the ABC a minimum of 60 days prior to the date of the examination for which a candidates wishes to sit. Enclose two checks or money orders payable to: American Board of Criminalistics, Inc. $50.00 non-refundable, non-transferable application/processing fee and $200.00 non-refundable but transferable Examination fee. The $200.00 fee will be returned if the application is denied. All fees are in U.S. dollars. For Diplomate, meet general requirements for certification. For Fellow, meet additional requirements in designated specialty area. For Affiliate, meet all requirements for Diplomate or Fellow, except two year experience requirement. The study guide for the Comprehensive Criminalistics Examination and the Specialty Examinations are provided on this Website under Certification Overview; Study Guide.	DOWNLOAD MATERIALS  › Application Instructions  › Application - Certificate of Professional Competency in Criminalistics  › Request For Application Confirmation Waiver  › Applicant Reference  › Application - Certification In Additional Speciality  › Request For Examination Seat   All files are in PDF format. To download the free Acrobat reader, click here.
2.	Applicant notified within 45 days of receipt of application of status. Testing dates and locations for the examination sites are located on this website under Offerings. Should the applicant not meet the qualifications to sit for an ABC examination, they may reapply at any time. A new $50 application fee is required. Applications are valid for two years.
3.	Applicant Reserves a seat for examination. Examination preference is noted on the application; no further action is required by the applicant.
4.	Diplomate Certificates Successful completion of all requirements for a Diplomate certificate is required before the certificate will be issued. Certificates are reissued in July of the year of expiration of the certificate. All certificates expire five years from the year of issue. Recertification is available through documentation of yearly professional activities or by re-testing.
5.	Fellow Certificates Successful completion of all requirements (including proficiency testing) for a Fellow certificate is required before Fellow certificates will be issued. Fellow status requires successful completion of the Comprehensive Criminalistics or a Specialty Examination and documentation of yearly proficiency testing. Certificates are reissued in July of the year of expiration of the certificate. All certificates expire five years from the year of issue. Recertification is available through documentation of yearly professional activities or by re-testing.
6.	Affiliate Letters Affiliates will be notified that they have passed an examination and will be given information regarding the steps necessary to become a Diplomate or Fellow of the ABC. Affiliates must document professional development activities annually and pay recertification fees like a certificate holder.
7.	Candidates who do not successfully complete an ABC examination will be automatically notified of those areas they need to study and of the review/appeal process. These applicants may retake any ABC examination at any future offering. The ABC recommends a six month study period before attempting to retake an examination. A new sitting fee is required.