recertification
ABC certificates expire on the fifth anniversary of the Diplomate or Fellow certificate. Recertification is obtained by demonstrating the accumulation of fifty recertification “points” over a five-year period. Points are awarded for continued employment in the field, for membership in professional organizations, for attendance at regional or national forensic meetings, for service to professional organizations, for publishing and for teaching.
Each January, Affiliates and certificate holders are mailed or e-mailed a reminder message that current recertification forms are available on the ABC website for entering the previous year’s professional development activities.
ALL certificate holders and affiliates MUST acquire at least ten points in Professional Involvement (Section II) over their five year certificate period.
Both Fellows and Diplomates with a Specialty Certificate must obtain at least fifteen points (15) of their fifty (50) recertification points engaging in professional development activities directly related to their specialty area. If a certificate holder is a Diplomate or Fellow in more than one discipline, they must obtain fifteen points in each specialty.
Fellows must successfully complete at least one proficiency test in their specialty area for each year they hold a Fellow certificate. Fellows are expected to submit information for all proficiency tests taken within their specialty area on the Proficiency Testing Certification Form (09-0701F). Do not submit proficiency testing answer sheets, data, or final results. The ABC will determine on a random basis which Fellows’ supporting documentation will be requested for in-depth review.
Please remember that if you are a Fellow in more than one discipline, you must submit a different proficiency test for each discipline, one for each Fellow Certificate.
This program was designed by individuals within each of the specialty peer groups, in order to provide the forensic science community with the type of program which it demanded. Any comments that you have regarding the organization or operation of the ABC Proficiency Testing Program will be welcome. Please direct all correspondence to the Proficiency Administration Committee at the address in the footer of the page.
If you need additional information or would like to better understand the Proficiency Testing Review Program, please read the Proficiency Testing section of the website.
Deadlines
Fees
Current Fee schedules are as follows:
To pay your Recertification Fees via check, please mail your check, made out to the ABC, to PO Box 1358 Palmetto, FL 34220. If paying via PayPal, please go to the ABC Online PayPal Payment form to complete your payment.
Probation, Suspension and Revocation
Certificants must submit their fees and Rules of Professional Conduct (at a minimum) by June 1st each year to stay in good standing. Certificants who do not submit their fees and Rules of Professional Conduct by June 1st will be placed on probation. Certificants who do not submit their fees and Rules of Professional Conduct by December 31st will have their certificates suspended. If the certificant does not make arrears and submit their Rules of Professional Conduct by March 1st of the following year, their certificate will be revoked.
If you need additional information or would like to better understand the Recertification Program, please read the ABC Recertification Policy (09-06).
Appeals
The ABC has an Appeals Procedure related to issues of certification application, examination, and recertification.
Each January, Affiliates and certificate holders are mailed or e-mailed a reminder message that current recertification forms are available on the ABC website for entering the previous year’s professional development activities.
ALL certificate holders and affiliates MUST acquire at least ten points in Professional Involvement (Section II) over their five year certificate period.
Both Fellows and Diplomates with a Specialty Certificate must obtain at least fifteen points (15) of their fifty (50) recertification points engaging in professional development activities directly related to their specialty area. If a certificate holder is a Diplomate or Fellow in more than one discipline, they must obtain fifteen points in each specialty.
Fellows must successfully complete at least one proficiency test in their specialty area for each year they hold a Fellow certificate. Fellows are expected to submit information for all proficiency tests taken within their specialty area on the Proficiency Testing Certification Form (09-0701F). Do not submit proficiency testing answer sheets, data, or final results. The ABC will determine on a random basis which Fellows’ supporting documentation will be requested for in-depth review.
Please remember that if you are a Fellow in more than one discipline, you must submit a different proficiency test for each discipline, one for each Fellow Certificate.
This program was designed by individuals within each of the specialty peer groups, in order to provide the forensic science community with the type of program which it demanded. Any comments that you have regarding the organization or operation of the ABC Proficiency Testing Program will be welcome. Please direct all correspondence to the Proficiency Administration Committee at the address in the footer of the page.
If you need additional information or would like to better understand the Proficiency Testing Review Program, please read the Proficiency Testing section of the website.
Deadlines
- March 1: Recertification forms with the recertification maintenance fee and a signed copy of the ABC Rules of Professional Conduct due.
- June 1: Recertification forms submitted between March 1st and June 1st require a late fee in addition to the maintenance fee.
- After June 1: Only a signed copy of the ABC Rules of Professional Conduct will be accepted and it must be submitted each year. No recertification form will be accepted after June 1st and no points will be awarded for professional development activities reported after June 1st. In order to have recertification points credited for the following years, the maintenance and penalty fees must be submitted along with the next annual recertification package.
Fees
Current Fee schedules are as follows:
- Maintenance fee: $80 (Diplomate) and $90 (Fellow)
- Late fee: $25 (between March 1-June 1)
- Penalty fee: $150 (after June 1)
To pay your Recertification Fees via check, please mail your check, made out to the ABC, to PO Box 1358 Palmetto, FL 34220. If paying via PayPal, please go to the ABC Online PayPal Payment form to complete your payment.
Probation, Suspension and Revocation
Certificants must submit their fees and Rules of Professional Conduct (at a minimum) by June 1st each year to stay in good standing. Certificants who do not submit their fees and Rules of Professional Conduct by June 1st will be placed on probation. Certificants who do not submit their fees and Rules of Professional Conduct by December 31st will have their certificates suspended. If the certificant does not make arrears and submit their Rules of Professional Conduct by March 1st of the following year, their certificate will be revoked.
If you need additional information or would like to better understand the Recertification Program, please read the ABC Recertification Policy (09-06).
Appeals
The ABC has an Appeals Procedure related to issues of certification application, examination, and recertification.