The Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention & Control (AL-CIP™) is an assessment of knowledge, skills and abilities expected of individuals who demonstrate professional expertise, leadership and impact in the field of infection prevention and control. It is a portfolio-based assessment that demonstrates leadership within infection prevention and control that has a measurable impact.
The next application cycle will take place July 13-August 17, 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Demonstrated positive impact on the profession: Active engagement and advanced infection prevention and control practice, leadership, education, research, policy and/or advocacy for a recommended minimum of 7-10 years
2. Active CIC® and/or LTC-CIP® certification
Each portfolio is reviewed and scored by three (3) infection prevention and control subject matter experts from diverse backgrounds to ensure fairness in the assessment of submitted content. A cut score / passing point was established by a panel of experts in accordance with best practices for certification programs.
Rationale Rating Scale:
|
Absent (0) |
Limited (1) |
Solid (2) |
Significant (3) |
|
Rationale is missing, lacks any logical flow, or is unrelated to the selected Sub-Competency, or lacks any persuasive elements to connect the candidate’s work to the Sub-Competency |
Rationale illustrates some connection to the selected Sub-Competency, but that connection is not effectively presented, is unclear or vague, or does not fully address the Sub-Competency |
Rationale is clear, understandable, and adequately describes a connection between the candidate’s work and the Sub-Competency. |
Rationale is well organized and clearly communicated. Nothing additional is needed to illustrate connection between applicants’ work and the Sub-Competency |
Evidence Rating Scale:
|
Absent (0) |
Limited (1) |
Solid (2) |
Significant (3) |
|
Evidence is either missing, or unrelated /irrelevant to the Sub-Competency. |
Evidence is somewhat connected to the Sub-Competency, but that connection is tenuous or indirect, or there are gaps/discrepancies between the evidence and the rationale. |
Evidence is adequately aligned to the Sub-Competency, and there are few, if any, discrepancies between the evidence and the rationale. |
Evidence is comprehensive and very clearly illustrates that the candidate’s work is aligned with the Sub-Competency. Nothing else is needed to illustrate a connection and no discrepancies exist between the evidence and rationale. |
If your AL-CIP™ portfolio is unsuccessful, your results letter will include a list of the sub-competencies that were not met.
You may retake the AL-CIP™ at a 50% reduced fee, but only need to resubmit evidence and rationale for the sub-competencies you did not pass. All evidence must be from within the last 10 years.
To qualify for the reduced fee and partial resubmission:
If you do not reapply within this timeframe, or if your retake attempt is unsuccessful or incomplete:
Example:
If your results letter indicates unmet sub-competencies in Interpersonal Communication and Risk Assessment & Reduction:
Do not submit evidence for sub-competencies that were not listed as unmet. If a candidate does so, the portfolio will not be scored. The candidate will be required to reapply in a future administration, pay the full application fee, and submit a complete portfolio. Candidates will be notified via an incomplete portfolio letter on the same day that all official results are released.