Contact Information

Each Diplomate has responsibility to maintain up-to-date contact information in the ABIH roster. Annually, all Diplomates will be asked to verify the information. ABIH uses email for the majority of its communications.

CM Overview

To maintain certification, a Diplomate agrees to :

• abide by the ABIH Code of Ethics
• pay fees
• submit an acceptable worksheet or pass the exam
• submit acceptable records if audited

A CM cycle is 60 months*. There are two calendar time periods:

• January 1st  - December 31st
• July 1st - June 30th

Diplomates are assigned to a CM cycle depending upon when they passed the exam (spring or fall). Diplomates start their CM cycle in the next period immediately following the exam.

CM credit can only be earned during the CM cycle start and end date.

Note: The expiration date listed on the paper certificate is not the CM cycle end date. Diplomates should Log In to check their CM cycle end date

* Some Diplomates certified prior to 2011 are on a one-time 54 month CM cycle, from January 1st – June 30th. After re-certification, these Diplomates will be placed on a 60 month cycle.

To Recertify by Worksheet

CM credit is earned in up to 6 Categories.

The CM minimum requirements must be achieved in order to recertify. CM credit earned in excess of the minimums do not carry over to future cycles.

ABIH concludes a worksheet review once the minimum requirements are achieved.

Worksheet Deadlines

Worksheets are submitted according to the CM cycle calendar. Penalties are enforced if the worksheet is submitted late.

Worksheets are initially submitted without supporting documentation (showing proof of participation).

Worksheet forms are available in the Documents library. Older worksheet forms will be accepted by ABIH but the Diplomate must abide by the current CM requirements at the time of reporting.

CM Records

Diplomates are responsible to maintain proof of participation records for the activities claimed on the worksheet. Example records are listed in each Category.

Records can be destroyed after the Diplomate has been notified of re-certification.

CM Audits

Each cycle, some Diplomates are audited and asked to provide records for some or all of the worksheet activities. Anything listed on the CM worksheet is subject to the audit.

It is considered unethical for a Diplomate to claim activities that cannot be substantiated by impartial records. This may lead to de-certification.

Cycle Extension & Leave of Absence

For hardship circumstances, the following relief is available:

• A CM Cycle Extension which adds 6 months to the CM cycle
  
• A Leave of Absence which proportionately reduces the minimum requirements during the CM cycle

Annual Fees

Annual renewal invoices are sent in approximately October of each year. If the renewal fee is not paid by the due date, the Diplomate will need to pay a late fee and will lose some access rights to the ABIH private roster. After 2 years of non-payment, the Diplomate will be de-certified in the 3rd year.

Voluntary Surrender

Excluding ethics violations, a Diplomate may voluntarily surrender their certification at any time. This relieves the Diplomate of future fee and CM reporting obligations.

If the Diplomate is in good standing at the time of the surrender, they can be listed in the ABIH public roster as a former Diplomate, showing years of certification.

Former Diplomates who "retired" their ABIH certification are classified now as voluntary surrenders.