Certification in Infection Prevention and Control Certification is Commitment

What is CBIC? Voluntary, independent, multidisciplinary Board Provides direction for and administers the certification process for infection prevention and control (IP&C) Mission: Protect the public by raising the standard of the infection prevention and control profession through the development, administration and promotion of an accredited certification process.

What is CBIC? Established by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc (APIC) in 1981; CBIC is an affiliate of APIC Certification program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, formerly National Organization for Competency Assurance

Objectives of Certification Provide a standardized measurement of current essential knowledge Encourage attainment of credential that denotes practice excellence among infection prevention and control professionals Formally recognize individuals who fulfill the requirements for certification with the CIC ® credential

Method of Certification Initial certification: proctored computer- based examination Remains valid for 5 years

Methods of Re-certification Proctored computer-based examination OR Self Achievement Recertification Exam (SARE) Remains valid for 5 years

Certification Examinations Comprehensive, job-related, objective tests 150 multiple choice questions;15 questions under evaluation, not included in scoring Developed from a practice analysis of Infection Prevention and Control Professionals in the U.S., Canada and other countries Recognized by APIC and CHICA-Canada as the standard for certification in infection control

Certification Examinations Aligned with the Practice Standards for Infection Control and Healthcare Epidemiology The only standardized measurement of essential knowledge, skills, and abilities expected of infection prevention and control professionals ALL examination questions are the copyrighted property of CBIC

Proctored Computer-based Examination Administered at Assessment Centers throughout the United States, Canada and other international sites Sites listed at: AMP web site, Used for both initial certification and re-certification

Self Achievement Re-certification Examination (SARE) Similar in content to the computer-based examination (follows content outline) with 150 multiple choice items developed from the practice analysis; 15 questions under evaluation, not included in scoring Questions are practice oriented and challenging Test geared to IP&C professional with five (5) to seven (7) years experience

Self Achievement Recertification Examination (SARE) Self-administered (non-proctored), Web-based at a location of one’s choosing May access multiple times before completion Must be done alone; do not discuss with colleagues Deadline to purchase: December 1 Deadline to submit: December 31 The sooner the purchase, the more time to complete

Validity of the Certification Examinations Exams are based on a practice analysis of infection prevention and control professionals The practice analysis, examination development and process adhere to nationally recognized standards for validation, educational and psychological testing

Validity of the Certification Examinations Developed under the guidance of a psychometrician and test development specialist from an independent testing agency. The testing agency also oversees scoring of the examination. Each test item (question) undergoes both expert and statistical scrutiny before use.

Validity of the Certification Examinations Passing scores are calculated to compensate for item difficulty and differences between examinations Acknowledged by The Joint Commission as an important element of an effective infection control program

Certification Examination 2010 Content Outline Identification of Infectious Disease Processes Surveillance & Epidemiologic Investigation Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents Employee/Occupational Health Management and Communication (Leadership) Education and Research

Eligibility for Certification Must meet practice requirements for “current clinical practice of infection prevention and control” Must have primary responsibility for the infection prevention and control program for their employing organization OR the department in which the applicant is employed is assigned responsibility for the infection prevention and control program in the organization. Must meet educational requirements (or apply for a waiver) All requirements described in Candidate Handbook

Eligibility for Certification (cont) A current license or registration as a medical technologist, physician, or registered nurse; OR A minimum of a baccalaureate degree OR Contact CBIC Executive Office regarding educational requirement waiver

Eligibility for Certification (cont) Candidates who are self-employed or who work in non-traditional settings must submit additional documentation (See Candidate Handbook for details) Candidates with lapsed certification must meet the practice requirements as described in the Candidate Handbook for first time applicants and take the proctored computer- based examination.

Eligibility for Re-Certification Individuals who are currently certified are automatically eligible for re-certification every 5 years.

Definition of Infection Control Practice The clinical practice of infection control occurs in a variety of settings and includes both: –analysis and interpretation of collected infection prevention and control data; and –the investigation and surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection. AND

Definition of Infection Control Practice (cont.) Includes at least three of the following five activities: 1.Planning, implementation and evaluation of infection prevention and control measures; 2.Education of individuals about infection risk, prevention and control;

Definition of Infection Control Practice (cont.) 3. Development and revision of infection control policies and procedures; 4.Management of infection prevention and control activities; 5. Provision of consultation on infection risk assessment, prevention and control strategies.

Applying for the Certification Examination Obtain a Candidate Handbook with application forms and special accommodations requests from CBIC. Ensure that the eligibility requirements are met (request an educational waiver, if necessary). You may apply online at or complete the paper application in the Candidate Handbook and send to AMPwww.goamp.com

Proper Use of the CIC ® Credential Only individuals who have successfully passed the proctored computer-based certification exam and have maintained current certification, through either the computer-based or SARE examination, may use the CIC ® credential.

Proper Use of the CIC ® Credential The CIC ® credential may be used on resumes, business cards, letterhead, and other professional communications. The CIC ® credential may not be used for product or other endorsements.

Resources Check CBIC Web site for: –Candidate Handbook (all application and order forms for the examinations are included) –Background information on CBIC and the certification process

CBIC does not produce or endorse products or materials related to preparing for the certification examination.

Resources CBIC Executive Offices are located at: 555 East Wells Street Suite 1100 Milwaukee, WI Phone: (414) Fax: (414) Web site:

Resources (cont.) AMP (CBIC's testing company): W. 105th St Olathe, KS (888)

Resources (cont.) APIC 1275 K St., NW Suite 1000 Washington, DC, (202) CHICA-Canada PO Box RPO Westdale Winnipeg MB R3R 3S3 (866)