ABIH Announces New Way for CIHs to Earn CM Credits

LANSING, Mich. - Nov. 4, 2013 - PRLog -- Beginning in January of 2014, ABIH will be adding a new way for CIHs to earn Certification Maintenance credits in Category 7. Called IH Related Exams, Diplomates will be able to claim CM credit for exams that did not previously qualify for CM credit. This includes professional certifications (e.g., Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner and Certified Laser Safety Officer) as well and many other licensing, registration and registry programs.

“ABIH believes that these types of exams are active demonstrations of technical knowledge and are in alignment with the purpose of the CM program – the ongoing technical advancement of the Diplomate,” said Tracy Parsons, CIH, Administrative Program Manager at ABIH.  “This new way to earn CM credits is targeted to those exams which are typically standalone, meaning that the exam is offered independently from any other activity like a class or pre-exam workshop. These standalone exams are often associated with certification or certificate-based programs; however, ABIH will allow any type of exam as long as it meets our acceptance criteria.”

To be acceptable for CM credit, an exam must be at least 1 hour in length and at least 50% of the exam content must align to at least one of the IH Rubrics or the IH Job Analysis. In addition, the exam must be offered by the organization responsible for overseeing exam development and administration.

CM credit currently offered in Category 7 for Other Professional Certifications will continue as it is through the end of 2014 and then be transitioned into the IH-Related Exams. All professional certifications eligible for CM credit today will be continue to be eligible for CM credit under the new program rules for IH-Related Exams.

To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, CIH program or ways to earn CM credits, please email abih@ABIH.org, visit www.ABIH.org, or call (517) 321-2638.

About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene

Since 1960, ABIH, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world's largest, premier organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH is responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance and ethics enforcement.  Currently, more than 6700 people are certified to use the CIH designation.