Certification
The American Board of Criminalistics certification program consists of the following steps:
- Apply for certification
- Successfully complete an appropriate certification examination
- Confer certification by vote of the Board of Directors
- Demonstrate continued competency by submitting recertification paperwork for review and attaining the required points
- Pay Annual Maintenance Fees and submit signed Rules of Professional Conduct
- Confer recertification by vote of Board of Directors
The American Board of Criminalistics currently offers examinations in the following areas of certification:
- Biological Evidence Screening (ABC-BIO)
- Comprehensive Criminalistics (ABC-CC)
- Drug Analysis (ABC-DA)
- Forensic DNA (ABC-DNA)
- Molecular Biology (ABC-MB)
Field testing for the Foundational Knowledge Examination has been completed. The examination is currently undergoing validation. The website will be updated when the examination has been completed and is ready for offerings. More information on the Foundational Knowledge Examination can be found on the Field Testing Page.
Certification Eligibility Requirements for Biological Evidence Screening, Forensic DNA and Foundational Knowledge are located in the Certification Scheme which can be found on the associated examination page.
To determine if you are eligible for certification in Comprehensive Criminalistics, Drug Analysis, and Molecular Biology please see our Certification Eligibility Requirements:
The American Board of Criminalistics previously offered the following certifications:
Biochemistry (ABC-BC)
Drug Analysis, Technical Specialist (ABC-DAT)
Fire Debris Analysis (ABC-FD)
General Knowledge Examination (ABC-GKE)
Hair and Fiber (ABC-HF)
Molecular Biology, Technical Specialist (ABC-MBT)
Paint and Polymer (ABC-PP)
Certificants who attained certification in these areas retain their certified status as long as they stay in good standing with the ABC. If a certificant allows their certification to lapse, they must reapply for certification using one of the current certification schemes.
For more information on historical ABC examinations, please visit the History page.
Biochemistry (ABC-BC)
Drug Analysis, Technical Specialist (ABC-DAT)
Fire Debris Analysis (ABC-FD)
General Knowledge Examination (ABC-GKE)
Hair and Fiber (ABC-HF)
Molecular Biology, Technical Specialist (ABC-MBT)
Paint and Polymer (ABC-PP)
Certificants who attained certification in these areas retain their certified status as long as they stay in good standing with the ABC. If a certificant allows their certification to lapse, they must reapply for certification using one of the current certification schemes.
For more information on historical ABC examinations, please visit the History page.