AL-CIP™ Recertification

Recertification Overview:

Recertification is required to maintain the AL-CIP™ designation. All currently certified (AL-CIP™) professionals are eligible to recertify during the year their certification is set to expire. For additional details and guidance, please visit the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page.

New! Updated Requirements (Effective for Upcoming Recertification Cycles):

1. Infection Prevention Units (IPUs)

20 IPUs required per five-year cycle to maintain your CIC® and/or LTC-CIP®
IPUs may be earned from any content domain, recognizing that your role and setting may evolve over time.
IPUs will be submitted via an attestation form. If flagged for audit, you will be asked to provide documentation/certificates of completion.

2. Project Submission

Submit descriptions (maximum 500 words each) for two projects:
- One aligned with the Leadership domain
- One aligned with the Professionalism domain
Each description should include:
- Project focus
- Your role
- Impact or outcomes
Projects will not be scored or judged but may be subject to audit. The audit will confirm you led the outlined project and can show evidence of it.

Additional Details:

Deadline: December 1 of the year your AL-CIP expires. (Example: if your AL-CIP expires December 31, 2029, you will submit your recertification materials any time between January 1, 2029-December 31, 2029.
Fee: Remains consistent with the initial AL-CIP application fee

Acceptable Projects for Recertification

Acceptable projects should be comparable in scope and structure to the sub-competency projects and rationales originally submitted to earn the AL-CIP credential.

Projects must represent defined work with a clear role and measurable impact, extending beyond routine responsibilities. They should demonstrate a meaningful contribution to Infection Prevention and Control (IPC).

Examples of acceptable projects include:

Quality improvement initiatives
Projects aimed at improving IPC outcomes through structured methodologies (e.g., reducing healthcare-associated infections, improving hand hygiene compliance, or enhancing surveillance accuracy).
Innovation in IPC
Development or application of new tools, technologies, or approaches to infection prevention (e.g., digital surveillance systems, novel disinfection methods, or workflow redesign).
Clinical practice improvement initiatives
Efforts to standardize or enhance clinical practices that impact infection prevention (e.g., improving aseptic technique, isolation practices, or device management protocols).
Implementation of infection prevention strategies
Leading or supporting the rollout of evidence-based interventions (e.g., implementing care bundles, antimicrobial stewardship practices, or outbreak response measures).
Development or enhancement of IPC programs
Designing new programs or significantly improving existing ones (e.g., staff education programs, audit and feedback systems, or policy development and updates).
High-impact IPC projects
Initiatives that result in measurable, organization-wide or system-level improvements in infection prevention outcomes.
Research and evidence-based practice initiatives
Conducting or contributing to research, literature reviews, or translating evidence into practice to inform IPC policies and procedures.

Recertification Audit: What to Expect

The evidence required is similar to the evidence concept currently used for AL-CIP; Refer to the latest version of the Candidate Handbook on the main page.

Evidence should support the authenticity, scope, and impact of the submitted project, and clearly demonstrate your role and contribution.

Examples of acceptable evidence include:

Publications
Articles, reports, or papers (peer-reviewed or internal) that document the project or its outcomes.
Presentations
Conference presentations, posters, webinars, or internal education sessions demonstrating dissemination of the work.
Work products
Tangible outputs such as toolkits, guidelines, protocols, policies, dashboards, or strategic plans developed as part of the project.
Program development materials
Documentation related to program creation or enhancement (e.g., academic syllabi, training materials, evaluation tools, or program assessments).
Credentials or recognitions
Certifications, awards, or formal acknowledgments related to the project or its outcomes.
Project documentation
Materials that demonstrate project planning, execution, and outcomes, such as project charters, implementation plans and timelines, meeting minutes, data reports, and final evaluations or summary reports.