Recertification by Continuing Education: Infection Prevention Units (IPUs) Criteria Chart

Recertification by Continuing Education, hereby referred to as Infection Prevention Units (IPUs), can be achieved through a variety of ways every 5 years by earning a minimum of 40 units/points from the projects or activities outlined below, covering at least six domains. Domains refers to the eight categories of the examination:

  1. Identification of Infectious Disease Processes
  2. Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation
  3. Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents
  4. Employee/Occupational Health
  5. Management and Communication
  6. Education and Research
  7. Environment of Care
  8. Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis

Download a PDF version of the chart.

 

 

Category

 

Description of Activity

Number of Infection Prevention Units (IPUs)

Maximum Number of IPUs

Examples of Participating Providers

 

Required Documentation

Online, paper, or live format education

Complete offerings from an accredited or approved source that provide continuing education credits specific to the domains that are at minimum one hour in length

1 IPU per activity hour (no partial credit)

No max

APIC, CDC, SHEA, IDSA, IPAC Canada, Public Health Ontario

Certificate of completion/attendance

Read scientific publications from an accredited or approved source that provides continuing education credits upon completion of an assessment

1 IPU per activity hour

5 IPUs max

APIC, AORN

Local, national or international conferences and workshops

Attendance at local, national or international infection prevention and control conferences or workshops

5 IPUs per single-day conference or workshop

OR

10 IPUs per multi-day conference or workshop

No max

Local APIC chapters, IPAC Canada Chapters, APIC, IPAC Canada, IDSA, IFIC

Certificate of attendance

Other related conferences with infection prevention sessions that are not specifically infection prevention and control centric

1 IPU per session hour

No max

AORN, AAMI, ANCC, ASM, SGNA

Academic education

Completion of an accredited program that offers specific education that would advance the profession of infection prevention and control

10 IPUs per program completion

10 IPUs max

Certification in statistics, MPH, MSN, project management

Copy of official or unofficial transcripts with institution name visible

OR

Copy of diploma, with institution name visible

Publications

Published in a peer reviewed journal covering topics specific to infection prevention and control.

Letters to the editor not eligible.

5 IPUs per publication

No max

AJIC, CJIC, ICHE, ASM

Copy of article, guidelines, prevention guide, or other publication, ensuring your participation as author or co-author, title of written work, date of publication, and a subject synopsis is visible

Authoring/co-Authoring evidence-based guidelines, prevention guides, or similar publication related to the field of infection prevention and control.

5 IPUs per publication

No max

CDC, IHI, professional organization, APIC prevention guide

Presentation

Speaking at chapter, state, national, and international conferences.

Delivering a webinar with a primary focus on infection prevention and control.

2 IPUs per one hour of presentation time (no partial credit)

No max

APIC chapter, IPAC chapter, State HAI conference, IPAC Canada, APIC, SHEA, IFIC

Letter or verification from conference organizer on official organization letterhead

Contains your name, the name of the webinar or presentation, the date of the webinar or presentation, and a synopsis of webinar or presentation focus

OR

Copy of brochure/flyer/conference schedule indicating name of presenter, date/time presented and presentation

Presenting a poster at a national or international conference on a topic related to infection prevention and control.

1 IPU per poster presentation

No max

APIC, IPAC Canada, SHEA, IFIC, and IDSA

Primary author of an abstract presentation at a national or international conference

1 IPU per abstract

No max

APIC, IPAC Canada, SHEA, IFIC, and IDSA

Participation in a professional organization

Participate on a local, state, national, or international level as a committee member or in a position of voluntary leadership 

3 IPUs per year

No max

County, state, national, or international health Committees, APIC/SHEA /IPAC/IFIC committee or board member

Appointment letter on letterhead of organization or Board (separate letter for each role held)

Contains your name, your role held, the dates of term, and the signature from committee chair or organization leader/chapter President

Elected position on a Board

3 IPUs per year

No max

APIC, SHEA, IDSA, IFIC, IPAC Canada

Teaching

Teaching specific topics related to infection prevention and control for an accredited institution

1 IPU per hour of instruction

Max of 5 IPUs per recertification period

Nursing school, public health program, etc.

Copy of course or class syllabus outlining infection prevention teaching

AND

Verification letter (separate letter for each course or class)

Contains your name, the dates of course, the number of hours of instruction, the name of accredited institution, and the Signature from institution contact (e.g. chancellor, professor, academic dean, President, etc.)

Research

Involved in an approved local facility IRB, State, or federally funded research activity that is specific to advancing the profession of infection prevention and control (e.g. listed as a principal member of the investigational team)

5 IPUs per research activity

No max

 

A report ensuring your participation in the research and a subject synopsis is visible

OR

Verification letter

Contains your name, the dates of participation, your role in the research (e.g., writer, investigator, etc.), and the source of funding

 

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