Category 4 CM Point Review & Approval Numbers
1. How do activities get approved for CM points?
2. Where can I find CM approval numbers?
3. Does the AIHce, PCIH or their PDCs need CM approval?
4. Which courses have "blanket" CM approval?
5. What qualifies for "IH" pts"?
6. Are Safety and Management activities eligible for CM pts?
7. Does academic coursework or a thesis receive CM pts?
Back to Top
CM Worksheets & CM Audits
88. What is the purpose of the certification maintenance program?
99. What are the restrictions on the CMW for Category 4 CM?
10.
Do I need CM approval numbers before submitting the CMW?
11. I passed the exam, when does my 5 year CM cycle begin?
12. When are CM Worksheets due? When is my CMW due?
13. What is the CMW process?
14. What are the current requirements for maintaining certification?
15. What are the maximum points for the categories of CM points?
16. How can I accrue CM pts on a restricted travel budget?
17. How do I apply for CM pts in Category 7 - Other Activities?
18. Do I get CM pts for my other professional certifications?
19. Can I retake the exam to meet my CM requirements?
20. What happens when selected for an audit?
Back to Top
CM Cycle - Extensions & Status Changes
21. Can I get an extension to my CM cycle?
22. What happens to Diplomates who fail to maintain certification?
23. My certification was revoked, can I submit a late CMW?
24. How do I get re-certified if I've lost my certification?
25. What is "retired status"? Can I reinstate to active status?
26. Can I voluntarily relinquish my certification?
Back to Top
Ethics
27. What qualifies for ethics CM points?
28. Where can I find ethics training?
29. I'm ethical already, why do we need an ethics requirement?
Back to Top
Miscellaneous
30. How to get a replacement certificate?
31. How long do I need to maintain my CM records?
Back to Top
Q1. How do activities get approved for CM points?
Any sponsoring organization or CIH/CAIH may request a CM point review. Courses, conferences, seminars and educational programs are evaluated for CM points based on subject matter content and length. CM points for conferences are awarded at a rate of 0.5 CM point per 3 hours of technical content). Courses are awarded CM points at a rate of 0.167 point per hour of technical content. See the CM Point Review processs & forms for more details.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q2: Where can I find CM approval numbers?
CM approval numbers for reviewed activities such as courses and conferences can be found by searching the database. Be sure to read the search tips, the database requires precision.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q3: Does the AIHce, PCIH or their PDCs need CM approval?
The AIHce, the PCIH, and their PDCs presented at either of these conferences do not require CM approval numbers.
The AIHce and PCIH are awarded IH CM points at a rate of 0.5 point per half day. The Wednesday evening session of the AIHce is also worth 0.5 CM points.
The CM point values for the PDCs at either of these conferences are listed only in their conference catalogs. Be sure to retain a copy for your records.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q4: Which courses have "blanket" CM approval?
U.S. regulatory-driven asbestos, hazardous waste, and lead courses do not require specific CM approval numbers. CM point values are assigned based on the year the class was taken. See the Blanket Approvals list.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q5: What qualifies for "IH" CM points?
IH points are awarded if the activity aligns with at least one of the IH Rubrics:
- Basic Sciences
- Health Hazards
- Work Environments
- Program Management Principles
- Evaluation Practices
- Hazard Controls
- Community Stressors
See the Rubrics definitions for more detail.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q6: Are Safety and Management activities eligible for CM points?
a) Safety events receive "Safety" CM points in Category 4. These count toward the 40 CM points required for recertification but they are not credited toward the Category 4 minimum requirement of 10 IH CM pts.
b) Management events receive "Management" CM points if taken prior to January 1, 2010. After that date, the management event must have an EH or S aspect in order to be eligible for CM points in another category (i.e. IH, S, Ethics). Management CM points are capped at 5 points per 5 year CM cycle and are not credited toward the 10 IH CM points minimum.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q7: Does academic coursework or a thesis receive CM points?
Academic coursework in IH or a related field receives 2.5 CM points per semester credit hour, or 1.68 CM points per semster quarter-hour. A CM approval number is not required on the CM Worksheet.Academic coursework is claimed in Category 4.
Ten CM points are awarded after completing a PhD thesis in an IH-related topic. The thesis completion date must appear on a transcript. CM points are not awarded for a Master thesis.
Back to CM Pt Approval Questions
Q8: What is the purpose of the certification maintenance program?
The purpose of the CM program is to ensure that Diplomates continue to develop and enhance their professional industrial hygiene knowledge and skills for the duration of their active careers.
Back to CMW Questions
Q9: What are the restrictions on the CMW in Category 4?
In Category 4, the Diplomate must accure at least 10 IH CM pts and 0.33 Ethics CM pts per 5 year CM cycle.
"Fundamentals" and "Management" CM points are limited to 5 CM points per 5 year CM cycle. ABIH awards CM points for management courses taken prior to January 1, 2010. Safety and Management CM points are not credited toward the 10 point IH minimum. (see Q6)
A specific course may be claimed for CM points only once in a 5 year CM cycle.
All activities listed in Category 4 must have a CM Approval Number except for academic courses, blanket approved courses, the AIHce, the PCIH and their associated PDCs.
Back to CMW Questions
Q10: Do I need CM approval numbers before submitting my CMW?
All activities listed in Category 4 must have a CM Approval Number except for academic courses, blanket approved courses, the AIHce, the PCIH and their associated PDCs.
A CMW submitted with missing CM approval numbers (in Category 4) is considered to be "inadequate" (see the CM Handbook) and will be returned. The Diplomate will be asked to submit the CM Point Request Form for the missing CM approval numbers. This process can take 6-8 weeks during Dec and Jan of each year due to high volume.
Back to CMW Questions
Q11: I passed the exam, when does my 5 year CM cycle begin?
The 5 year CM cycle begins on January 1st following passing the CIH/CAIH examination. No CM points are required in the same year as passing the exam. (There's plenty of effort produced in passing the exam, don't you think?)
This also means that CM credit is not given for any activity during the year of passing the exam. CM credit can be accrued staring on January 1st of the year after passing the exam.
Back to CMW Questions
Q12: When are CM worksheets due? When is my CMW due?
CM worksheets can be submitted anytime after September 1st of the 5th year of the CM cycle but must be postmarked, faxed or emailed no later than February 1st of the 6th year. A CMW submitted after February 1st must be accompanied by a $100 late fee.
At least 3 courtesy reminders are sent which is why it's important to maintain an accurate email contact address in your Diplomate section.
To check for your CMW due date or to ensure that your contact information is up-to-date, log in to the Diplomate Services Menu. You'll need your ABIH ID number (as listed on your dues receipt). Note - the ID# is not your certification number.
Back to CMW Questions
Q13: What is the CM Worksheet process?
The CM Worksheet can be downloaded from the Document library. The CMW does change from time-to-time so be sure to review or use the latest CMW to ensure that you are aware of all the current rules.
The CMW is initially submitted without supporting documentation. You will be contacted if ABIH needs additional information. If selected for an audit, all supporting documentation will be requested.
Each CMW is reviewed to ensure that the minimum number of CM points is achieved; however, being re-certified does NOT mean that everything listed on the CMW has been accepted. If you have questions about what was or was not approved, please contact ABIH.
The CMW review process can take 4-8 weeks. CMW submissions in Sept-Nov of the 5th year are processed faster. If the minimum number of CM points is achieved, a re-certification letter and new certificate will be mailed. If the minimum number of CM points is not achieved, ABIH will contact you to seek additional but overlooked point opportunities.
CM cycle reminders are sent in the Spring & Fall of the 5th year, and Winter & Spring of the 6th year. CMWs can be submitted no earlier than September 1st of the 5th year. A $100 late fee is required if the CMW is submitted after February 1st of the 6th year.
If the CMW is not recieved by approximately May 15th of the 6th year, ABIH will not have time to review it prior to June 1st, the deadline when all Diplomates in the current CM cycle must be processed. If your CMW is not approved by June 1st of the 6th year, your certification will be revoked.
Remember to keep your contact information up-to-date.
Back to CMW Questions
Q14: What are the current requirements for maintaining certification?
- CIH - 40 CM points must be accumulated over 5 years.
- CAIH - 35 CM points must be accumulated over 5 years.
- Cycle begins January 1, the year following passing the certification exam and ends December 31 of the 5th year of the cycle.
- CM worksheets are due by February 1 of the year immediately following the end of the 5 cycle year. Worksheets postmarked after February 1 must be accompanied by a $100 late fee.
- There is no ceiling on CM points per year.
- A minimum of 10 CM points must be accumulated in Category 4 (Attendance at Meetings and Educational Programs) in IH Rubrics within a 5 year cycle.
- At least 0.33 CM points (of the 10 IH pt) must be accumulated in the Ethics point category of Category 4 within a 5 year CM cycle
- Payment of the annual renewal fees.
- Maintaining certification can also be accomplished by passing the Comprehensive Practice examination, if qualified, in the Spring or Fall of the 5th year of the CM cycle or the Spring of the 6th year.
Full details of the CM requirements may be found in the CM Handbook.
Back to CMW Questions
Q15: What are the maximum points for the categories of CM points?
Category |
| 1. Active IH Practice |
CIH: 3 pts/yr; 15 pts/CM cycle
CAIH: 2 pts/year, 10 pts/ CM cycle |
| 2. Committee Service |
5 pts/CM cycle |
| 3. Publications |
no maximum |
| 4. Meetings and Educational Programs |
No maximum. |
| 5. Teaching |
20 pts/CM cycle |
| 6. ABIH Exam |
CIH - 40 pts/CM cycle
|
| 7. Other Activities |
Variable see Category 7-Other Activities |
Back to CMW Questions
Q16: How can a I accrue CM pts on a restricted travel budget?
Many courses are available online (via Distalnce Learning) and are at low cost or free. Search for these courses in the ABIH online database.
IH technical/professional committee work, the publications of papers and teaching activities receive CM points.
Low cost-no travel CM point options are also availabe in in Category 7.
Back to CMW Questions
Q17: How do I apply for CM points in Category 7 - Other Activities?
Category 7 of the CMW is reserved for activities that do not logically fall within Category 1-6. A complete listing of current Category 7 approved activities is maintained in the Document library.
If your activity is not listed in the Category 7 approvals document, please contact ABIH before submitting your CMW. Your activity may or may not be accepted for CM points.
Back to CMW Questions
Q18: Do I get CM points for my other professional certifications?
Other professional certifications may be eligible for CM points in Category 7. See the Category 7 approval document.
ABIH awards CM points for other certifications if all of these criteria are met:
- The certification board is national/international in scope.
- The eligibility requirements include an educational component.
- A written examination is required.
- The certification is related to the IH Content Domains
- The certification program is third-party accredited by an organization such as the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards, National Commission for Certifying Agencies or American National Standards Institute.
Back to CMW Questions
Q19: Can I retake the exam for meet my CM requirements?
CIHs who plan on taking the Comprehensive Practice examination for recertification are required to submit a letter requesting examination for CM credit. The examination fee will be billed after the request is received. CIHs are not held to the deadline date of February 1/June 1, but the request should come in ahead of the April/May or October/November Prometric schedule dates to ensure a preferred location and date. CIHs must take the examination no later than the Spring of the 6th year of their CM cycle.
Since the Aspects examinations have been discontinued, maintaining your certification by taking an Aspects exam is no longer an option. You could apply for the Comprehensive exam if your current work experience is qualifying. Please submit a re-application form, re-application fee ($75.00) and reference(s) for the previous 2 years to qualify.
Since the CAIH examination has been discontinued, maintaining your certification by taking the CAIH exam is no longer an option.
Back to CMW Questions
Q20: What happens when selected for an audit?
Each CM cycle, Diplomates are selected at random for a CM audit. The audit is not intended to question the credibility of a Diplomate but to provide validation of the activities listed on a CM worksheet. We do this through impartial documentation of proof of participation.
CIHs/CAIHs selected for an audit will receive a letter indicating materials required for the audit. Dates and activities listed on the CM worksheet must be consistent with the information submitted for audit.
Examples of satisfactory audit documentation materials are:
- Category 2 - Usually, meeting agendas or minutes will suffice for written proof but you may need additional documentation if your name and Committee position are not easily identifiable
- Category 3 - copies of your peer-reviewed articles. For non-peer reviewed articles, it's best to get ABIH review/approval before submitting the CMW
- Category 4. Sponsor-provided proof of participation (e.g. attendance roster or certificate of completion) or Diplomate-generated proof of participation (e.g. hotel, meal or parking receipts, an approved expense report, the ABIH Verification Form).
- Category 5. Teaching activity verification may be copies of programs and sponsors acknowledgements which show the length and topic of the presentation.
Examples of incomplete documentation would be:
- Supporting documentation is not provided a claimed activity;
- Attendance at a conference is only supported with a receipt for registration or payment of fees
- Documentation submitted is dated differently than the dates claimed on the worksheet
Back to CMW Questions
Q21: Can I get an extension to my CM cycle?
CM cycle extensions of 5 months are available for hardship cases. See the CM Program Handbook for examples which qualify. If your type of situation is not listed, please contact ABIH for a consult. The extension can be requested at any time but it's best to not wait until the end of the CM cycle because the extension may not be granted.
If granted, the extension allows an additional 4.5 months (until ~May15th of the 6th year) to accumluate CM pts and submit the CMW. This allows ABIH about 2 weeks to process the CMW which must be resolved by June 1st. If recertified, be aware that CM points accumulated during the extension period cannot be used on the next CM cycle which is shortened to 4 years, 7 months.
Back to CM Cycle Extension & Status Change Questions
Q22: What happens to Diplomates who fail to maintain certification?
When a Diplomate fails to submit an acceptable CM worksheet, does not successfully complete the Comprehensive Practice examination or is dues delinquent, the Board will consider that the CIH/CAIH has failed to maintain their certification. When the Board finds that a Diplomate has failed to renew his/her certification, the Board sends that person written notice of expiration at the person’s current mailing address. The Board may publish, from time to time, the names of persons whose certification has expired.
This decision can be appealed if the Diplomate has justifiable cause. See the Certification Appeals Procedures.
Back to CM Cycle Extension & Status Change Questions
Q23: My certification was revoked, can I submit a late CMW?
When a CIH/CAIH is informed of the expiration of their certification due to failure to submit an adequate CMW, he/she may file a late worksheet with the Board providing that all of the following conditions are met within 12 months of the end of their scheduled CM report period.
- The Diplomate must send a completed CM worksheet to the Board.
- The worksheet must show a minimum of 40/35 CM points for the report period and must be accompanied by documentation to support a complete audit of the points claimed on the worksheet.
- The CIH/CAIH will be contacted when the audit confirms that 40/35 CM points have been documented. At that time all lapsed dues, reinstatement fees and a late review fee ($425.00) will be required. When all fees have been paid, a re-certification letter will be sent and the Board will publish a public notice to that effect. When the Board’s review of the worksheet and supporting documentation do not confirm 40/35 CM points during the audit period, the Board will notify the CIH/CAIH that his/her certification will not be reinstated.
It is considered unethical conduct for a person who has not been certified by the American Board of Industrial Hygiene, who has allowed his/her certification to expire, or whose certification has been revoked to advertise himself/herself as a Diplomate or as a Certified Industrial Hygienist/Certified Associate Industrial Hygienist or use the designation CIH or CAIH. The Board may revoke a person’s certification for cause.
Back to CM Cycle Extension & Status Change Questions
Q24: How do I get re-certified if I've lost my certification?
A person who failed to maintain their certification may be re-certified by passing the Comprehensive Practice examination. It is Board policy that an individual’s original certification number will not be reassigned. To re-certify by examination, a person previously certified in the Comprehensive Practice is required to submit a written request attesting to current industrial hygiene practice and a $75.00 re-application fee. CIHs certified in an Aspect must qualify to take the Comprehensive Practice examination by providing a Reapplication form and a Professional Reference Questionnaire form from supervisors covering the latest two years of employment and a re-application fee of $75.00. The examination fee for either exam is $350.00.
Back to CM Cycle Extension & Status Change Questions
Q25: What is "retired status"? Can I reinstate to "active status"?
Diplomates who have or will soon retire from the part-time or full-time practice of industrial hygiene may elect ABIH's "(Ret)" status if in good standing (i.e. paid up on all fees). The request must be made in writing using the Sumital Form For Retired Status.
Diplomates granted "(Ret)" status:
- are restricted from using any of the professional certification designations except on a resume or CV, stating years of certification, e.g. CIH, 1979-96
- are restricted from using any of the "(Ret)" designations, e.g., CIH (Ret), on any work product related to IH
- will be listed in the ABIH Public Roster as "(Ret)" unless opted out
- retain access rights to the ABIH private roster
- continue to receive ABIH Newsletters unless opted out
- do not submit a CM Worksheet
- do not pay annual renewal fees
- are not restricted from practicing IH in the future
A "(Ret)" Diplomate may return to active status within 6 months of the granting of the "(Ret)" status by:
- paying any applicable fees (e.g. annual renewal).
- sumitting an acceptable CMW for the previous 5 years if in the 6th year of the CM cycle
After 6 months, a "(Ret)" Diplomate may return to active status by:
- paying any applicable fees (e.g. annual renewal).
- submitting an acceptable CMW for the previous 5 years excluding CM points in Category 1.
"(Ret)" Diplomates may also reactivate by qualifying for and passing the Comprehensive Practice exam. Requests to recertify must be in writing. Individuals must pay the application and exam fees.
Back to CM Cycle Extension & Status Change Questions
Q26: Can I voluntarily relinquish my certification?
The "Submittal Form for Voluntary Termination of Certification" allows Diplomates to voluntarily terminate their certification at anytime by written request. This option will most likely be used by Diplomates who are not in good dues standing, are no longer working in IH and do not want to pay back dues in order to opt for Retired status and do not want to continue receive Newsletters from ABIH. Review the terms of the agreement from the form on the Forms Download Page.
Back to CM Cycle Extension & Status Change Questions
Q27. What qualifies for ethics CM points?
The ethics requirement is 0.33 Ethics CM points (or 2 hours) over a 5 year CM cycle (see Q14). Generally, any subject matter will be acceptable if it pertains to the content of the ABIH Code of Ethics or the Joint Industrial Hygiene Associations’ Member Ethical Principles. Other subject matter may be acceptable – please contact ABIH. In its broadest sense, ethical questions can take many forms, e.g., business conflicts, workplace relationships, technical judgments or any subject matter that compromises the values of an organization. For ABIH purposes, appropriate ethics subjects could include topics like: Integrity, Professional conduct; confidentiality of sensitive information (e.g. HIPPA, Human subject protection during research projects, employee medical records), conflict of interest; intellectual property rights/plagiarism.
Back to Ethics Questions
Q28: Where can I find ethics training?
There are numerous sources for ethics training. Some examples include AIHA Local Section meetings, TeleWebs (e.g. AIHA, ACGIH in conjunction with the JIHEEC), professional conferences (e.g. AIHce PDCs, roundtables, etc), other professional societies, and professional course providers. Even an employer's ethics classes may be acceptable depending upon the content and contact time. Course sponsors or individual CIH/CAIHs must submit a request for CM points to ABIH.Examples of Ethics courses which have been approved can be found in the ABIH CM Activity Database. [Choose Subject of Interest > Ethics Only]
Back to Ethics Questions
Q29: I'm ethical already, why do we need an ethics requirement?
The new ethics requirement was intended to get everyone thinking and talking about ethical behavior and practices, not only in themselves but also in the decisions and actions of others. You may be ethical. Your job may require you to be ethical but what about all the others in your profession?
Since 2008, AIHA, ACGIH, ABIH and the AIH’s Joint IH Ethics Education Committee (JIHEEC) have been leading efforts to raise the level of awareness for ethics concerns. To reinforce the importance of ethics, it was agreed that ABIH would administer and enforce an ethics requirement for the IH profession. In November 2008, the ABIH Board of Directors passed a motion to implement the new ethics requirements for all new applicants and future CM cycles.
This was a joint, proactive effort by the IH profession to raise awareness through self-regulation.
Back to Ethics Questions
Q30. How do I get a replacement certificate?
Submit a request to the Board along with a $10.00 fee. The replacement certificate most likely will not have the signatures found on your original.
Back to Misc
Q31. How long do I need to maintain my CM records?
After you have received final approval for your submitted CM worksheet (this means after you receive your letter advising you that you have met the requirements and your certification is valid for another five years), you do not need to retain those records for ABIH. You may wish to retain some records for personal, professional, and tax purposes, but ABIH does not require they be kept for purposes of its certifications. Any future worksheet submissions or audit requests would only cover the period back to the last time you submitted a worksheet. (See exception for CIH(Ret)/CAIH(Ret) wishing to return to active practice above.)
Back to Misc
