It is the responsibility of the applicant to demonstrate to the Board that the eligibility requirements have been met. Any deviation from the requirements must be submitted to the Board for approval.

One of the following three combinations of education and experience are necessary to meet the eligibility requirements for admission to the Certification Examination.

1. An applicant must possess an earned doctoral degree in an appropriate field and have at least three (3) years of full-time professional post-doctoral experience (or part-time equivalent thereof) in toxicology after official conferral of the doctoral degree. The three years of experience must be after the date on which the doctoral degree was awarded officially. Having completed all requirements for the degree, but not having received the degree will NOT suffice.

2. An applicant must possess an earned master's degree in an appropriate field and have at least seven (7) years of full-time professional post-baccalaureate experience (or part-time equivalent thereof) in toxicology.

3. An applicant must possess an earned bachelor's degree in an appropriate field and have at least ten (10) years of full-time professional post-baccalaureate experience (or part-time equivalent thereof) in toxicology.

Degree designations are based on United States degree requirements. Applicants holding foreign degrees who are unsure of the appropriate U.S. equivalent may contact the ABT office for guidance.

Scholastic work towards a higher degree is not considered to be professional level experience. Individuals working toward a higher degree while employed full-time in the practice of toxicology will receive credit for the employment as years of experience if full time employment can be documented, but this experience will be applied to the eligibility requirements for the lower degree

Years of experience shall be determined using the actual date the applicable academic degree is awarded and not the date degree requirements were completed. The degree must have been awarded at least 3, 7, or 10 years prior to June 30 of the year of application.

The applicant must have full-time involvement in the practice of toxicology within the year immediately prior to the date of application.

With respect to experience in the practice of toxicology, a candidate should have carried out one of the following functions: designed and managed toxicological experiments, interpreted results and translated them to identify and solve human and animal health problems. It is not sufficient that the candidate work with or for toxicologists. The applicant must be responsible for the professional toxicological work conducted. These experiences should account for the majority of "time in professional practice" used to support the application.

A candidate need not necessarily actually produce or develop the data that is used in assessing and evaluating toxicity. With an appropriate educational background and/or previous toxicology experience, a candidate may be engaged in interpreting data generated by others and then may use this data and information to synthesize a comprehensive toxicity assessment. With sufficient documentation of educational training and/or specific experience, such a candidate could be eligible to take the examination. Likewise, because of the broad scope of toxicology, it should not be expected that all qualified candidates be engaged in the design, conduct, evaluation and interpretation of toxicity studies. Sufficient evidence should be provided that there is an understanding of such studies, the best evidence being a prior history of having been personally engaged in the conduct of toxicity studies.

Being engaged in activities such as environmental monitoring, exposure monitoring, biological monitoring, monitoring of workers, etc. in and of itself does not constitute the practice of toxicology. If the results from these activities are utilized by the candidate in a broader context of assessing toxicity and if the candidate's educational background and/or previous experience indicates appropriate training in toxicology, monitoring activities and application of their results may constitute the practice of toxicology.

For a candidate engaged in data reviews of existing toxicity information, identification of toxicity data gaps, identification of structure-activity relationships of potentially toxic chemicals, maintaining data bases, development of risk assessment methodologies, preparation of health assessment documents, etc., the application must unequivocally document that the candidate utilizes the information in an integrative fashion in the broad context of a comprehensive toxicology evaluation. Reviewing data and simply preparing warning labels for a product using a "by the numbers" approach does not constitute the practice of toxicology, nor does simply maintaining a data base and publishing the results. Developing risk assessment methodologies by applying the data and then adjusting the mathematical model parameters without demonstrated understanding of the data or the broader aspects of toxicology does not constitute the practice of toxicology.

Providing managerial guidance or consulting support for specific clients or for purposes of litigation could include defining toxicity, hazard and risk, dose-response evaluation, duration of exposure and evaluation of toxicity data to assess the likelihood of adverse effects associated with exposure to potential toxicants. In these cases, appropriate educational training and/or experience in previous or other job activities may provide the necessary link to judge that the applicant is engaged in the active practice of toxicology. Merely translating the jargon of the various sciences into layman's terminology does not constitute the practice of toxicology.

Eligibility:

Complete the information required on the application form and return it with a check for two hundred twenty-five ($225) U.S. dollars as an Application Fee. All fees and costs related to conversion of foreign currency to U.S. dollars are the responsibility of the applicant. The completed application and fee must be mailed to the ABT Office postmarked no later than April 30 of the year in which the applicant first wishes to take the examination. There will be a $30.00 processing fee charged for returned checks. If a candidate withdraws his/her application by June 1 in the year of applying for eligibility, $200 of the application fee will be refunded. The fee is non-refundable in any other circumstance. All forms, fees, supporting documentation and other materials submitted to the American Board of Toxicology become the property of the Board and will be maintained in confidentiality solely for evaluation of the candidate's eligibility to take the certification examination.

Applicants will be notified of their eligibility by August 15th. All applicants are urged to initiate their preparation for the examination well before the notification date. The Examination usually is given in October. Exact dates are available on the ABT website.

The period of eligibility to take the examination is three (3) successive examination periods (normally three years). Eligible candidates who fail to appear for an examination will lose that year of eligibility. If the applicant does not pass the entire examination within the period of eligibility, reapplication with forms, fees and supporting documentation is necessary before eligibility can be reestablished. Please see Time Requirements for Certification details.

Examination:

In order to take the examination in any year of eligibility, the candidate must submit a non-refundable two hundred ($200) U.S. dollar Examination Fee by August 31st of that year. All fees and costs related to conversion of foreign currency to U.S. dollars are the responsibility of the applicant. If the applicant does not appear for the examination, this fee is forfeited and must be paid again to take the examination in subsequent years of eligibility.

The Certification Examination consists of three (3) parts consisting of 100 multiple choice questions each. Each part is graded independently. To become certified, the candidate must pass 1) all three parts of the examination during any one of the three years of eligibility; 2) at least two parts during the first or second year and the third part in a remaining year of current eligibility. The remaining part must be passed on the next examination attempt. If the candidate does not pass the remaining part in the next examination attempt, all three parts must be repeated in the remaining year of eligibility or in the next eligibility period for which the candidate may apply. Credit for passed portions of the examination will only be applied to the period of eligibility in which they were obtained.

General Instructions:

Applicants must arrange for an official transcript of the degree used as the basis for qualification to be forwarded directly from the granting institution to the ABT Office. This document must be postmarked by May 31. If it is not possible to obtain official transcripts from non-U.S. colleges or universities, applicants must provide notarized copies of their diplomas and a listing of courses passed. For candidates claiming earned doctoral degree status, the course listing must permit a determination of educational equivalence to a doctoral degree. If notarized copies of diplomas or course listings are not provided, the applicant must satisfactorily explain their omission and provide an alternate method for determining educational status (e.g., recognition of the educational program by the Educational Commission on Foreign Veterinary Graduates).

Applicants must arrange for letters from present and former supervisors to be forwarded to the ABT Office. For self-employed applicants, letters from clients or employers may substitute if acceptable to the ABT Eligibility Committee. These letters must explicitly specify the time period of the position, and must accurately and fully document the applicant's duties, responsibilities and full-time professional experience in toxicology. The supervisor should review the above section on experience in toxicology before preparing the support letter. The supporting letters must cover the entire period of experience required with the actual degree conferral date used as the basis for qualification. The letters may contain other information as deemed appropriate by the supervisor or employer. This information will be disclosed to the applicant upon request so that accuracy can be assured. The letters must be postmarked by May 31.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to assure timely receipt of the required documentation. Incomplete or late documentation will result in an ineligible status. An applicant should not assume that transcripts or letters of verification requested from a third party have been sent to the ABT Office. If unsure, an applicant may call or e-mail the ABT Office to confirm receipt of requested documentation.

The Eligibility Committee of the ABT must have a complete dossier to review. The applicant must describe his/her experience as a toxicologist, including full job description(s) and bibliography (curriculum vitae). A listing of related toxicology activities is helpful. To
aid in the preparation of complete documentation describing the applicant's experience in toxicology (#3 on the certification application
form), several suggestions are listed below. These suggestions should be regarded as guidelines. The applicant may wish to provide additional relevant information.

Suggestions:

• Simply providing the job title will not suffice. Duties and responsibilities can be described in terms of time allocated to specific activities, types of studies or functions performed, reporting relationships, toxicology personnel supervised, students or postdoctoral fellows trained, numbers and types of technical reports prepared and role played in the preparation of such reports, etc. Thoroughness is essential. Provide specific and detailed descriptions of each aspect of present and past employment activities in toxicology.

• Many scientists with newly acquired degrees have a training period for the conduct of toxicological studies, or apply a previously acquired skill as a part of an overall team effort to toxicological studies. At what point within their scientific contribution and growth has "skilled technical work" changed to "full-time professional experience in toxicology"? For purposes of defining eligibility criteria, "full-time professional experience in toxicology" will begin when the individual has demonstrated the capability to conduct a toxicological study in an independent manner, to prepare a valid report of the results and to understand the interpretation of a toxicological study for professional use.

• This definition will apply to post-doctoral as well as post-baccalaureate experience in toxicology. It will be incumbent upon the applicant, and particularly upon the sponsors of applicants, to provide adequate documentation to satisfy the definition.

• A formal position description may be attached, but may not be sufficient by itself.

• A list of publications using full bibliographic citations should be attached. Full length publications, review articles, books, chapters and abstracts should be listed under their respective headings.

• List the name(s) of the supervisor(s) who will provide a supporting letter and the time periods they are covering.

Example of Toxicology Activities:

• Presentations or interactions with regulatory, governmental or other international agencies; invited lectures, seminars, or participation in symposia.

• Positions or memberships in professional, trade or academic associations, adjunct appointments; courses taught (indicate number of hours or lectures and brief summary of content), etc.

• Honors, awards, appointments or other recommendations received from professional, academic, industrial or other organizations.

• A listing of continuing education activities since obtaining highest degree. These activities could include: professional meetings attended (provide dates); short courses, workshops or specialty meetings attended; titles of journals read regularly; etc.

All forms, fees, supporting documentation and other materials submitted to the American Board of Toxicology become the property of the Board and will be maintained in confidentiality solely for evaluation of the candidate to take the certification examination.

Time Requirements for Certification

Each period of eligibility to take the examination is of three years duration. An individual who is found by the Board to have adequate credentials may take up to three examinations within that period of eligibility. Should the applicant fail to pass the examination in the initial three years, the candidate may reapply for additional periods of eligibility.

Eligibility extensions will not be granted for any reason during any eligibility period. The only exception is in the third year of eligibility, when an extension MAY be granted by the Board only because of a medical condition that prevents a candidate from taking the examination, or due to death or serious illness of an immediate family member. Requests for extension must be made in writing and be received by the ABT office either before or within 10 business days after the first day of the missed examination. Appropriate corroborating documentation (doctor's letter or copy of a death certificate) must accompany all such requests or they will not be considered. If an extension is granted, the candidate must take the examination in the following year but will not have to pay an additional Application Fee or Examination Fee.

Study Group Opportunity

Some candidates for Diplomate status have expressed a desire to form study groups in preparation for the examinations.  The ABT Board of Directors has authorized a project to determine if this should be a permanent feature of the examination process.  If you have an interest in being a participant in a study group the form for this process can be downloaded below.  Please contact the ABT office if you have any questions regarding this opportunity.

Application File: Application.doc Application	42K		10/15/07
Study Group Authorization File: ABT group study form.pdf	10K		02/06/08