CIH Job Analysis

The test blueprint identifies the percentage of scored items on the exam at the domain level.

View the Job Analysis in pdf format.

The development of a quality credentialing or licensing program must follow certain logically sound and legally defensible procedures for developing examinations. Before a content-valid examination is developed, the knowledge and skills needed to be a certified professional in the field must be determined. The process for identifying these areas is a Role Delineation/Task Analysis or Job Analysis, which serves as a blueprint for examination development.

The critical reason for conducting a Job Analysis study is to ensure that an examination is content-valid. Content validity is the most commonly applied and accepted validation strategy utilized in establishing certification programs today. In psychometric terms, validation is the way a test developer documents that the mastery to be inferred from a test score is actually measured by the examination. A content-valid exam, then, appropriately evaluates knowledge or skills required to function as a certified practitioner in the field. A content-valid exam contains a representative sample of items that measure the knowledge or skills contained in the profession being tested.

The Job Analysis study is an integral part of ensuring that an examination is content-valid and that the aspects of the profession covered on the exam reflect the tasks performed in practice settings. For both broad content areas and tasks, the study identifies their criticality and frequency. These ratings play an important role in determining the content of the exam.

ABIH  Job Analysis studies are conducted in conjunction with our exam consultants from CASTLE Worldwide. The study includes:

• Initial Development - A panel is convened to identify the domains, tasks, knowledge and skills essential to the performance of a Certified Industrial Hygienist. Panel members represent a variety of practice settings, geographic regions, educational levels and years of experience.
• Validation Study - A random sample of CIHs certified within the last ten years then participates in a validation survey.
• Development of Test Specifications - Based on the ratings gathered from the representative sample of CIHs, the test specifications for the certification exam are developed.