2013 Eligibility Requirements

Requirements for Initial Certification and for Lapsed Certificants

Successful certification indicates competence in the actual practice of infection prevention and control and healthcare epidemiology, and is intended for individuals whose primary responsibility within a healthcare setting is infection prevention and control within that setting. First time certification is not intended for individuals whose roles are tangentially related to infection prevention and control (e.g. industry, government), or for whom infection prevention and control is not the major focus of their role (e.g. general public health or epidemiology; infectious diseases; microbiology; environmental or nutrition services; pharmacy).

In order to qualify to sit for your initial (first-time) certification, you must apply to take the computer-based test (CBT). In order to be eligible to take the CBT, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:

1.  Infection prevention and control is one of your primary roles / responsibilities in your current position; i.e. you are actively involved in infection  prevention and control activities and/or management, and are accountable for these in your current position;

       AND

2.  You are a licensed or certified healthcare professional (including, but not limited to, registered nurse, licensed / registered practical nurse [LPN, RPN], nurse practitioner, physician, medical technologist, respiratory therapist) with current registration/certification in good standing with the appropriate licensing board /certification/ governing body (e.g. state/provincial medical licensure; state/provincial nursing association or board, etc.), OR have a minimum of a baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) degree;

AND

       3.  You are currently working in a healthcare setting; 

       AND

4.  You have had sufficient experience in infection prevention and control, which must include active roles in a, b, and c below:

a.      Collection, analysis and interpretation of infection prevention outcome data; AND
b.      Investigation and surveillance of suspected outbreaks of infection; AND
c.      At least 3 of the following additional activities:
        ·       Planning, implementation and evaluation of infection prevention and control measures;
        ·       Education of individuals about infection prevention and control;
        ·       Development and revision of infection prevention and control policies and procedures;
        ·       Management of infection prevention and control activities;
        ·       Consultation on infection prevention and control risk assessment, and prevention and
                control strategies.

There is no specific time requirement that defines “sufficient experience”; however we emphasize that this certification examination is geared toward the professional who has had at least two years of full-time experience in infection prevention and control.

Last updated: January 14, 2013