Field Testing
We will begin field testing the Seized Drug Analysis Examination in early September. See the Offerings Page for more information on available offerings.
PLEASE NOTE: We anticipate using electronic testing for this field test. We are still finalizing the development of this platform. At this time, we will NOT be allowing the use of MacOS devices. For more information on electronic testing and the system requirements, please visit our Electronic Testing Guidelines page. If we determine that this testing platform will not be suitable for the field testing, the examination will be offered using paper booklets.
The Field Testing Process:
To qualify for the field test, candidates should be authorized to perform the full extent of testing as defined in the relevant job description. Candidates who perform limited functions in the discipline should not take the field test.
The field testing process will last for a number of months, as the ABC is following the ISO/IEC 17024 process for validating these certification examinations. The ISO/IEC 17024 process requires a minimum number of test takers that is equal to the number of questions on each examination. Once that minimum has been achieved, the certification examinations will be analyzed using psychometrics (the science of measuring mental capacities and processes, dictionary.com). This process will also determine the cut score, or the score you are required to achieve to pass the exam. As the cut score is determined during the psychometric analysis, pass or fail results will not be available until the field testing process is complete.
The ABC will field test new certification examinations until the required number of examination test takers is achieved. At that time, the evaluation described above will start. Therefore, it will be some time before you are notified about your results from these exams. Historically, this has taken approximately 18 months.
See our Offerings page for a list of currently scheduled field testing.
Application:
The application process is the same as for certification examinations. The one exception is that the application deadline will be approximately 45 days prior to the date of the sitting. Please follow the application instructions located on our Application Process page. Please note that effective January 1, 2025, candidates must have an approved application prior to submitting their Request for an Exam Seat. We recommend submitting the application at least 60 days before your anticipated offering date.
There is no application or sitting fee for the examination. If you successfully complete the examination and wish to be certified, you will need to pay the application fee.
Once field testing is complete:
You will be notified if you passed a field test certification examination. To become certified, you will need to pay the application fee and pass the credentialing process. Candidates who pass the certification examination and the credentialing process will be voted upon by the Board of Directors. All applicants who are approved by the Board of Directors will be notified and issued a certificate.
You will be notified if you did not pass a field test examination.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: We anticipate using electronic testing for this field test. We are still finalizing the development of this platform. At this time, we will NOT be allowing the use of MacOS devices. For more information on electronic testing and the system requirements, please visit our Electronic Testing Guidelines page. If we determine that this testing platform will not be suitable for the field testing, the examination will be offered using paper booklets.
The Field Testing Process:
To qualify for the field test, candidates should be authorized to perform the full extent of testing as defined in the relevant job description. Candidates who perform limited functions in the discipline should not take the field test.
The field testing process will last for a number of months, as the ABC is following the ISO/IEC 17024 process for validating these certification examinations. The ISO/IEC 17024 process requires a minimum number of test takers that is equal to the number of questions on each examination. Once that minimum has been achieved, the certification examinations will be analyzed using psychometrics (the science of measuring mental capacities and processes, dictionary.com). This process will also determine the cut score, or the score you are required to achieve to pass the exam. As the cut score is determined during the psychometric analysis, pass or fail results will not be available until the field testing process is complete.
The ABC will field test new certification examinations until the required number of examination test takers is achieved. At that time, the evaluation described above will start. Therefore, it will be some time before you are notified about your results from these exams. Historically, this has taken approximately 18 months.
See our Offerings page for a list of currently scheduled field testing.
Application:
The application process is the same as for certification examinations. The one exception is that the application deadline will be approximately 45 days prior to the date of the sitting. Please follow the application instructions located on our Application Process page. Please note that effective January 1, 2025, candidates must have an approved application prior to submitting their Request for an Exam Seat. We recommend submitting the application at least 60 days before your anticipated offering date.
There is no application or sitting fee for the examination. If you successfully complete the examination and wish to be certified, you will need to pay the application fee.
Once field testing is complete:
You will be notified if you passed a field test certification examination. To become certified, you will need to pay the application fee and pass the credentialing process. Candidates who pass the certification examination and the credentialing process will be voted upon by the Board of Directors. All applicants who are approved by the Board of Directors will be notified and issued a certificate.
You will be notified if you did not pass a field test examination.
If you have any additional questions, please contact the Registrar's Office at [email protected].