Certification
The American Board of Criminalistics examinations are only offered in-person at specified testing locations. Examinations are not available online or via remote proctoring. The examinations are written in English only and are designed for individuals practicing in the United States.
The American Board of Criminalistics certification program consists of the following steps:
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 American Board of Criminalistics certification program consists of the following steps:
- Apply for certification
- Successfully complete an appropriate certification examination
- Confer certification
- 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
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)
- 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)
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)
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.