Following the Examination

CBIC score reports will now be provided via mail. Upon the completion of their exam, Candidates will receive their score report in the mail.  In addition, Candidates may access and print their score report by visiting Prometric’s Score Report Portal, https://scorereports.prometric.com.

Candidates who pass either examination are given their overall score on the examination. Because candidates who pass the examination have successfully demonstrated minimum competency in the field, there is no need to provide candidates with diagnostic information on the individual sections.

Candidates who fail either examination are given their overall score, as well as diagnostic information on their performance in each exam section, in order to guide their preparation for their next exam attempt. Please see the diagram below for information on the diagnostic levels used to indicate the performance of failed candidates.

Although the examination consists of 150 questions, the candidate’s score is based on 135 questions. Fifteen questions on each exam are “pretest” questions and are used as part of the item evaluation for inclusion in subsequent exams. The method used to set the minimum passing score is the Angoff method, in which content experts have evaluated each examination question and determined how many correct answers are necessary to demonstrate the knowledge and skills required to pass.

A candidate’s ability to pass the examination depends on the knowledge and skill he/she displays, and not on the performance of other candidates. Passing scores may vary slightly for each version of the examination. To ensure fairness to all candidates, a process of statistical equating is used. This involves selecting an appropriate mix of individual questions for each version of the examination that meets the content distribution requirements of the examination content blueprint. Because each scored question has been pretested, a difficulty level can be assigned. The process then considers the difficulty level of each question selected for each version of the examination, attempting to match the difficulty level of each version as closely as possible. Slight variations in difficulty level between different versions of the exam are addressed by adjusting the passing score up or down, depending on the overall difficulty level statistics for the group of scored questions that appear on a particular version of the examination.

Details of incorrectly answered examination questions, and correct answers to questions, will not be provided to the candidate. This practice is in accordance with best practices in the field of professional accrediting.

Candidates who pass their examination are allowed to use the designation CIC^® after their name for the five-year period in which their certification is valid.

CBIC reserves the right to publicly recognize any candidate who has successfully completed a CBIC certification examination, thereby earning the certification credential. An electronic version of the official certificate will be available 2-3 days after completion of the exam. A physical copy of the official certificate and the option to order a replacement certificate is also available. All certificate requests and orders can be accessed on the CBIC website (https://cbic.execinc.com/edibo/CertificateReplacement).

A directory of all certified infection prevention and control professionals is published and updated every 2-3 days on the CBIC website (www.cbic.org). This list can be found using the “Find a CIC^®” page. Please note that some certificants choose to opt out of the public directory. Information on the current certification status of an individual will be provided in writing upon request.

First Time Applicants or Lapsed Applicants

Candidates who do not pass the initial certification examination must submit a new application, including appropriate documentation and fees, and be determined eligible to retake the exam. An individual may retake the initial certification exam a maximum of four times per year, and no more than once every 90 days.

Recertifying Applicants

Candidates who do not pass the recertification cannot retake it, but may apply for, schedule and take the initial certification exam before the current certification cycle ends to maintain their CIC^®. An individual may retake the initial certification exam a maximum of four times per year, and no more than once every 90 days.

CBIC and Prometric are responsible for the integrity of the scores they report. On occasion, occurrences such as computer malfunction or misconduct by a candidate may cause a score to be suspect. CBIC and Prometric are committed to rectifying such discrepancies as expeditiously as possible. CBIC may void examination results if, upon investigation, violation of its regulations is discovered.

Preamble

The Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology is an autonomous multidisciplinary board that provides direction for and administers the certification process for professionals in infection control and applied epidemiology. By completing and passing the certification exam, a certified professional is setting a standard of quality care the public expects, demands and deserves. The codes outlined herein are to guide candidates and certified professionals in the performance of their professional responsibilities and to promote the mission of CBIC; to protect the public through the development, administration and promotion of an accredited certification in infection prevention and control.

Professional Care and Competence

1. Applicants and certified professionals shall act in a manner that justifies public trust and confidence, enhances the reputation of the profession and safeguards the interests of individuals and clients.
2. Applicants and certified professionals shall act diligently in accordance with applicable technical and professional standards when providing professional services.
3. Applicants and certified professionals shall pursue excellence in performing their duties.
4. Applicants and certified professionals shall meet and comply with all terms, conditions, or limitations of any professional credential they hold.

Professional Integrity and Objectivity

1. Certified professionals shall maintain a professional knowledge and skill level required to ensure that employers receive competent professional service based on current developments in practice, legislation, and techniques.
2. Certified professionals shall pursue excellence in performing their duties.
3. Certified professionals shall conduct all business transactions at arm’s-length and free from offers and solicitation of gifts and favors, or other improper inducements.
4. Certified professionals shall ensure accuracy of information and soundness of recommendations forwarded to another involved professional, agency or institution.

Fraud-Related Conduct

1. An applicant or certified professional shall not present fraudulent documents when applying for certification or recertification.
2. An applicant or certified professional shall not use a title designation, credential or license, company name, letterhead, publication, term, title or document which states or implies an ability, relationship or qualification that does not exist.
3. An applicant or certified professional shall cooperate with a CBIC disciplinary investigation or proceeding.
4. An applicant or certified professional shall not attempt to prevent or interfere with a complaint being filed or CBIC disciplinary investigation or proceeding to occur. Interference attempts may include but are not limited to:
   1. The use of threats or harassment against, or an inducement to, any person in an effort to prevent or attempt to prevent a complaint from being filed, prosecuted or completed;
   2. The use of threats or harassment against, or an inducement to, any consumer or witness in an effort to prevent them from providing evidence in an investigation, disciplinary proceeding or any other legal action; and
   3. The willful misrepresentation of facts before the disciplinary authority or its authorized representative.
5. Judicial Review for applicants and certified professionals will adhere to the codes and bylaws of the Judicial and Ethics process, herein detailed in the Policy & Procedures Manual under Section 2, Category 5 Judicial and Ethics Process.

Certified professionals or persons wrongfully using the CIC^® designation are subject to disciplinary action as defined in CBIC’s Judicial and Ethics Policy and Procedures for the following types of actions: falsification of an application, violation of examination procedures or misrepresentation of the certification status. A copy of the Judicial and Ethics Policy and Procedures can be found on the website or by contacting the CBIC Office:

555 East Wells Street
Suite 1100
Milwaukee, WI 53202-3823

info@cbic.org
www.cbic.org

Our goal is to provide a quality exam and a pleasant testing experience for every candidate. If you are dissatisfied with either and believe we can correct the problem, we would like to hear from you. We also provide an opportunity for general comments at the end of your exam. Our personnel will review your comments, but you may not receive a direct response.

If you have an examination issue that you would like to have directly addressed, please contact the CBIC office at info@cbic.org or (414) 918-9796 and CBIC will respond to your concerns. Processes for specific issues are outlined below.

To appeal an eligibility decision, please submit a detailed letter to info@cbic.org that describes the reason for the eligibility decision appeal.

• Please attach all supporting documentation that provides evidence for your appeal.
• Once the CBIC office has received this information, it is sent to the Exam Advisory Committee, who review all of the details and supporting evidence. This process may take 5-7 business days to complete.
• Once a decision has been made, the CBIC office will contact you via email with the decision. If the Exam Advisory Committee has decided not to grant the appeal, a detailed explanation will be provided for why that decision was made. In the event that the appeal is granted, application processing will continue and you should expect to receive your scheduling instructions email within 2-3 business days.

To appeal an examination score, please contact the CBIC office within a reasonable window of time from the date of your examination requesting a re-score of your examination.

• The CBIC office will put you in contact with our team at Prometric. With all exam re-score requests, there is a $50 fee paid to Prometric.
• Note: Prometric does not recommend that candidates have their examination re-scored, as the exam goes through two separate automated scoring processes before the score is presented to the candidate at the testing center. The likelihood of the exam being scored incorrectly is very unlikely.

To request an extension for your 90-day eligibility period, please send a detailed email to info@cbic.org explaining why you are requesting an extension and the length of extension you are requesting.

• CBIC reviews extension requests upon receipt. If reasonable, extension requests are granted. A decision will be sent to you within 5-7 business days.
• If the request is granted, the CBIC office will be in contact with you via email. With the exception of unusually emergent and unavoidable circumstances, all candidates granted an extension request are required to pay a $72 administrative fee via an invoice sent by the CBIC office.
• If you currently have a scheduled appointment and are requesting an extension, please take note of the Prometric policy regarding appointment cancellation and rescheduling found at the bottom of your scheduling instructions email (also on page 6 of the Candidate Handbook).
• The extension invoice must be completed and returned to the CBIC office within two weeks of receiving the invoice, or the extension will be cancelled and you will forfeit all exams and fees for the current application.
• Once you complete and return the invoice, it can take 5-7 business days to complete processing, at which time you will receive a new scheduling email that includes your new eligibility end date.