Frequently Asked Questions about Recertification

What do I have to do to maintain my CIC® certification?

Take and pass the proctored computer-based (CBT) examination
The proctored computer-based (CBT) examination can be taken at over 150 Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) Assessment Centers Monday through Friday at either 9:00 am or 1:30 pm. You can apply online via the link on the CBIC website (www.cbic.org) or by going directly to the testing agency website at www.goamp.com. You can also download a candidate handbook at www.cbic.org for all the information on administrative policies and an application form. International certificants can also recertify via the computerized examination. For a list of domestic and international assessment center locations, please visit the AMP website at www.goamp.com. If you wish to recertify via CBT, you must have your examination appointment scheduled for on or before December 30, 2012 (assessment centers are closed on December 31st).

Take and pass the Self-Achievement Recertification Examination (SARE)
The SARE is offered online in web-based format. You can schedule testing on your own home computer and on your own schedule. The test can be ordered at any time between now and December 1, 2012. A passing score must be achieved, and your SARE must be completed by 11:59 ET on December 31, 2013. You must have an email address to receive the confirmation e-mail with specific instructions on how to logon to the SARE. The e-mail will include a unique ID and password that must be used during the login process. Certificants are able to login and out as many times as necessary, within the established testing window, to complete the examination; responses/answers during the previous logins will be saved. Candidate results are provided following completion of the test and will also be sent to the candidate's e-mail address.

What is the "Testing Window"?

The SARE must be ordered in the same calendar year as the candidate is due for recertification. It can be ordered beginning January 1 of that year. The deadline to order the SARE is December 1. It must be completed and submitted for scoring by 11:59 ET on December 31 of the recertifying year.

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 prevention and 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). Candidates will not know which questions are the pre-test questions. 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.

Like the CBT, the SARE is also a 150 multiple-choice question exam of which 135 are scored (15 are pretest questions and do not count for or against your score). Candidates will not know which questions are the pre-test questions. The SARE is available for recertification only, and is geared toward the advanced ICP that has had a minimum of 7 years of infection prevention and control practice and the questions on the SARE are more difficult. The SARE is a web-based exam and a link to the exam is emailed to the candidate. It is an open-book exam and can be completed at the candidate’s pace, but must be submitted for scoring by December 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 didn't 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 not receiving the link (and the score after you submit the exam) add the email address (exams@lxr.com) to your address book as a new contact after you submit your SARE order form. This way your computer is more likely to interpret the email as "friendly." Also, if you are using a work email, ask your IT department to "allow" emails from this address to reach your "in box." Some companies have filters which prevent perceived spam from reaching employees. If you continue to have problems call the CBIC Executive Office at (414) 918-9796 or email us at info@cbic.org for assistance.

Why is five years the interval for retesting?

Changes in federal regulations, accrediting standards, healthcare products, and patient care practices occur frequently. 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.

I prefer to earn continuing education credits rather than retest. Is that an option?

No. The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. believes strongly that the best way to evaluate competency is through regular testing. For more background information about this trend in the certification industry, please refer to this article written by a CBIC Past President and originally published in both the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) and the Canadian Journal of Infection Control (CJIC).

How soon after I submit my SARE will I receive the correct answers to the questions

I answered incorrectly?

CBIC no longer provides the answers to questions answered incorrectly on the SARE. CBIC is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). One of NCCA's standards requires that certification programs develop and adhere to appropriate, standardized, and secure procedures for the development and administration of the assessment instruments (examinations). Certification programs are responsible for protecting the integrity of assessment information, which includes the questions. The responsibility requires the use of security processes that restrict access to assessment information to authorized individuals. Therefore, providing the missed questions and the correct answers would remove the security associated with the certification examination. However, at the completion of the exam, a report is generated showing how many questions of the total questions in each domain were answered correctly. This report gives an indication as the strengths and weaknesses per domain or subject matter.

If I don't pass the SARE, can I take it again?

No. You can only take the SARE once during your recertification cycle. However, you can test again using the CBT (computer based test) that you used for your initial certification.

If I don’t pass the SARE, how long do I have to wait to register to take the CBT?

There is no waiting period to take the CBT if you don’t pass the SARE. Registration for the CBT goes through CBIC’s Testing Company and the link can be found on the online application page of the CBIC website. If you do not pass the CBT, you must wait 90 days, at which time you can register to take the CBT again. Remember to plan ahead because you must pass either the SARE or the CBT by December 31st of your recertification year.

How soon after I pass the exam will I receive my certificate in the mail?

It takes approximately 4-6 weeks to process and mail certificates.

Who can I contact to get a receipt for my exam?

If you took the CBT or the SARE to recertify, please contact the CBIC Executive office at 414.918.9796 or info@cbic.org to request a receipt.

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 updated information to the CBIC office. Use the Change of Contact Information Form on our website. 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 quarterly e-newsletter. Notifying the APIC office does NOT automatically notify the CBIC office.

To request more information about CBIC or the CIC® credential, or to provide feedback about this web-site, please email the CBIC Executive Office at info@cbic.org.