CBIC Reminds Infection Preventionists About Recertification Deadlines

The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. (CBIC) reminds infection preventionists that effective Dec. 31, 2010, it has revised the standard for recertification and granting extensions for recertification candidates who do not pass the CBT or SARE. The deadline to order the SARE is Dec. 1, 2010

The CBIC says that if you apply to take the CBT (Computer Based Test), your confirmation is computer-generated and will indicate that you need to schedule and complete the exam before "your eligibility period expires" which is 90 days from the time of your confirmation. However, the end of the year is approaching and this computer-generated message does not apply. The CBIC says that infection preventionists will need to schedule and take the exam by Dec. 29, 2010 (test locations are closed Dec. 30-31, 2010) in order to maintain certification.

To maintain certification, the infection control professional must recertify within five calendar years of passing the examination. All currently certified infection prevention and control professionals are eligible for recertification.

Changes in federal regulations, accrediting standards, healthcare products, and patient care practices occur frequently. CBIC performs a practice analysis every four to five years in order to capture the impact of these changes on the profession. In order to assess the competency of the certificant given these changes, five years was chosen as the certification renewal period.

There are two recertification options:

1.Computerized Certification examination OR

2.The Self-Achievement Recertification Examination (SARE).

Candidates who last certified by certification examination are eligible to recertify by the Self-Achievement Recertification Examination (SARE). For example, if you took the certification examination in June 2005 for initial certification, in order to recertify you MUST either pass the computerized examination, or the SARE in 2010.

Candidates who last certified by the SARE are eligible to recertify by the SARE or the computerized examination.

Effective Dec. 31, 2010, CBIC will no longer grant one-year extensions for recertification candidates who do not pass the CBT or SARE. You must successfully recertify prior to Dec. 31 of your certification expiration year in order to maintain your CIC® status. If you do not successfully pass the recertification examination and continue to use the CIC® designation, you will be subject to sanctions, according tot he CBIC.

Candidates who elect not to recertify or who do not successfully recertify are prohibited from using the CIC® designation.

For candidates due to recertify in 2010 (only) who fail either the SARE or computerized exam, there is a one-time exception being given through the end of 2010. You may retest (once) before the usual 90-day waiting period. If you fail a second time, you will have to wait the usual 90-days before attempting again.

Frequently Asked Questions About Recertification from the CBIC

What are the differences between the Computer Based Test (CBT) and the Self-Achievement Recertification Exam (SARE)?

Although there is no minimum requirement for years worked in the field, the CBT certification exam is based on a minimum of 2 years of infection control practice in a patient care setting. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions of which 135 are scored (15 are pretest questions and do not count for or against your score). The CBT is the only option for the first-time certifier. The CBT is a timed, closed-book test administered by computer and must be taken at specified testing agencies which are geographically located throughout the United States and internationally. Read more about the CBT exam in the Candidate Handbook.

The SARE is a 150 multiple-choice question exam (all questions are scored). The SARE is available for re-certification only, and is geared toward the advanced ICP that has had a minimum of seven years of infection control practice. The questions on the SARE are more difficult. The SARE is a web-based exam. A link to the exam is emailed to the candidate. It is an open-book, take-home exam emailed to the candidate and can be completed at the candidates pace, but must be returned by Dec. 31 of the year in which the certification expires. Both tests are based on the most current CBIC Practice Analysis and Examination Content Outline. Read more about the procedures for the SARE in the Candidate Handbook.

I paid for the SARE and didnt receive a link, what's wrong?

Some email programs see the email as Spam. Check your spam folder for the email. To minimize the possibility of the link (and the score after you submit the exam) add this email address to your address book. exams@lxr.com. This way your computer is more likely to interpret the email as "friendly." If you continue to have problems call the CBIC executive office at (414) 918-9796 or email info@cbic.org for assistance.

Why was five years chosen as the interval for retesting?

Changes in federal regulations, accrediting standards, healthcare products, and patient care practices occur frequently. The CBIC performs a practice analysis every 4-5 years in order to capture the impact of these changes on the profession. In order to assess the competency of the certificant given these changes, five years was chosen as the certification renewal.

Have you moved since you last certified?

Certificants are responsible for recertification regardless of whether or not they have received notification of expiration from the CBIC Executive Office. If you have moved since you last applied for CIC® certification or recertification, it is imperative that you send your new address along with your name, social security number or certification number and telephone number to the CBIC office. Keeping our database up-to-date allows us to notify you when your certification is due to expire and to send you CBIC news in our annual newsletter. Notifying the APIC office does NOT automatically notify the CBIC office.

To request more information about CBIC or the CIC® credential, email the CBIC Executive Office at info@cbic.org.