Certification
The American Board of Criminalistics examinations are only offered in-person at specified testing locations. Examinations are not available via remote proctoring. The examinations are written in English only and are designed for individuals practicing in the United States.
The Certification and Recertification Process: a breakdown of the steps to become certified and maintain your certification.
Initial Certification
Maintaining Your Certification (Recertification)
The American Board of Criminalistics currently offers examinations in the following areas of certification:
Certification eligibility requirements are located on the associated examination page.
The Certification and Recertification Process: a breakdown of the steps to become certified and maintain your certification.
Initial Certification
- Apply for Certification: Begin by reviewing the Application Process. This step is where you submit all your initial paperwork and qualifications for review.
- Request an Examination Seat: Once your application is approved, you'll need to select an examination offering and request an examination seat. Refer to the Seat Requests and Offerings section for details.
- Take and Pass the Exam: The next step is to successfully complete an appropriate certification examination.
- Confer Certification: After you pass the exam, your certification will be officially granted. Congratulations!
Maintaining Your Certification (Recertification)
- Pay Annual Fees: To keep your certification active, you must pay Annual Maintenance Fees and submit signed Rules of Professional Conduct. This is a yearly requirement.
- Demonstrate Continued Competency: Submit recertification paperwork for review. This paperwork should demonstrate that you have attained the required points through continued professional development. Check the Recertification section for more information.
- Confer Recertification: Once your paperwork is approved and your fees are paid, your recertification will be granted, extending the life of your certification.
The American Board of Criminalistics currently offers examinations in the following areas of certification:
- Biological Evidence Screening (ABC-BIO)
- Drug Analysis (ABC-DA)
- Forensic DNA (ABC-DNA)
- Foundational Knowledge (ABC-FKE)
Certification eligibility requirements are located on the associated examination page.
The American Board of Criminalistics previously offered the following certifications:
Biochemistry (ABC-BC)
Comprehensive Criminalistics (ABC-CC)
Drug Analysis, Technical Specialist (ABC-DAT)
Fire Debris Analysis (ABC-FD)
General Knowledge Examination (ABC-GKE)
Hair and Fiber (ABC-HF)
Molecular Biology (ABC-MB)
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)
Comprehensive Criminalistics (ABC-CC)
Drug Analysis, Technical Specialist (ABC-DAT)
Fire Debris Analysis (ABC-FD)
General Knowledge Examination (ABC-GKE)
Hair and Fiber (ABC-HF)
Molecular Biology (ABC-MB)
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.