The Board of Directors has revised and reinstituted its prior examination attempt limits policy that was in effect from 1980-2007. This policy gives unsuccessful candidates time to deepen their professional experience, while allowing the Board to maintain the integrity of the item pool.
Each period of eligibility to sit for the examination is of three years duration. An individual who is found by the Board to have the credentials may sit for three examinations within that period of eligibility. Should he/she fail to pass the examination in the initial three years, the candidate must wait three years before applying for a second period of eligibility.
Should the individual fail to pass the certification examination in the second three-year period, he/she will not be permitted to sit for the examination at any time in the future.
In summary, acquisition of certification will be limited to a total of nine years, and within the nine years the individual may sit for the examination for six years (three years initially, and for three years after a three-year hiatus). Except as indicated below, each candidate must pass the certification examination within the six opportunities presented.
Note: Any year that a candidate is eligible counts toward the maximum, regardless of whether the examination is taken.
Transition Provisions
This revised policy takes effect on January 1, 2027. The following transition rules apply to candidates with prior examination history:
Candidates currently within an active eligibility period at the time this policy takes effect will complete that period under the terms in effect when their eligibility was granted. Upon expiration of that period, any subsequent eligibility period will be governed by this revised policy.
Candidates who have already exhausted all examination attempts permitted under the prior policy remain ineligible to sit for the examination. Candidates who were previously subject to a mandatory waiting period between eligibility periods under the prior policy and have not yet reapplied will have their remaining opportunities evaluated under the revised policy at their next eligibility application. This transition provision also applies to former Diplomates reapplying after expiration of their certification.
The Board of Directors has revised and reinstituted its prior examination attempt limits policy that was in effect from 1980-2007. This policy gives unsuccessful candidates time to deepen their professional experience, while allowing the Board to maintain the integrity of the item pool.
Each period of eligibility to sit for the examination is of three years duration. An individual who is found by the Board to have the credentials may sit for three examinations within that period of eligibility. Should he/she fail to pass the examination in the initial three years, the candidate must wait three years before applying for a second period of eligibility.
Should the individual fail to pass the certification examination in the second three-year period, he/she will not be permitted to sit for the examination at any time in the future.
In summary, acquisition of certification will be limited to a total of nine years, and within the nine years the individual may sit for the examination for six years (three years initially, and for three years after a three-year hiatus). Except as indicated below, each candidate must pass the certification examination within the six opportunities presented.
Note: Any year that a candidate is eligible counts toward the maximum, regardless of whether the examination is taken.
This revised policy takes effect on January 1, 2027. The following transition rules apply to candidates with prior examination history:
Candidates currently within an active eligibility period at the time this policy takes effect will complete that period under the terms in effect when their eligibility was granted. Upon expiration of that period, any subsequent eligibility period will be governed by this revised policy.
Candidates who have already exhausted all examination attempts permitted under the prior policy remain ineligible to sit for the examination. Candidates who were previously subject to a mandatory waiting period between eligibility periods under the prior policy and have not yet reapplied will have their remaining opportunities evaluated under the revised policy at their next eligibility application. This transition provision also applies to former Diplomates reapplying after expiration of their certification.
DIPLOMATE ACCOUNT
CANDIDATE ACCOUNT