Recertification

ACLAM established a program of recertification to assist active Diplomates in maintaining the quality of their educational expertise and to provide recognition of such qualifications. The purposes of formal recertification can best be met by consistent, documented participation in a combination of scholarly activities, professional development, and service to veterinary medicine, the laboratory animal specialty, and the biomedical community.

Recertification is required at 8-year intervals, commencing with the first calendar year following initial certification. The recertification periods are staggered so that only about 1/8 of the ACLAM membership comes up for recertification each year.

Recertification Activities
A total of 400 recertification credits must be attained during each recertification period. Credit submission is based on the honor system. Activities not included in this list that demonstrably contribute to an individual’s professional development or maintenance of currency in the laboratory animal medicine specialty will be considered by the Recertification Committee.

Professional Development/Continuing Education
(maximum 400 credits per certification period; 100 credits minimum)

Scholarly Activities (maximum 300 credits per certification period; no minimum requirement)

Service Activities (maximum 200 credits per certification period; no minimum requirement)

Auditing of Recertification Credits
Credits are audited by the Recertification Committee. ACLAM mails the recertification credit maintenance form to active Diplomates each year. Diplomates should submit accrued credits annually, ideally at the same time they submit their annual dues. The Recertification Committee reviews these forms and provides a running tally of acceptable credits is provided to the Diplomates.

Late Recertification
If insufficient credits are earned in the 8-year recertification period, recertification can be achieved in the subsequent year by completing the requirements for the entire recertification period plus an additional 1/8 of the requirements (450 credits). The opportunity for late certification is limited to one additional year beyond the normal recertification date.

Early Recertification
Diplomates desiring to recertify early must submit an early recertification request in writing. If this request is granted, the subsequent recertification deadline will be 8 years from the date of the early recertification. All decisions of the Recertification Committee regarding such requests are final; there is no appeal process.

Appeals Process
The Recertification Committee informs Diplomates in writing if any submitted credits are deemed unacceptable, including the reasons that they were not accepted. If the Diplomate retains sufficient credits to be recertified, no further action is required. If the rejection of credits leaves the candidate with insufficient credits for recertification, the Diplomate is notified by certified letter.

Following notification of non-acceptance by the Recertification Committee, the Diplomate will be given 30 days to:

• provide additional justification and information supporting reinstatement of the rejected credits, or
• submit information on substitute credits.

If the rejection of the candidate’s submitted credits results in a failure to qualify for recertification, the Diplomate may appeal the decision of the Recertification Committee in writing to the Board of Directors (BOD). The BOD will appoint an appeals committee consisting of not less than three members (none of whom may be members of the Recertification Committee) to evaluate the merits of the appeal and the findings of the Recertification Committee and report them to the BOD. The BOD makes the final decision on the appeal and informs the Diplomate by certified mail.

There is no appeals process for those Diplomates who request early recertification, or for determining the suitability of submitted ACLAM examination material.

If the Diplomate is rendered unable to fulfill the recertification requirements on schedule due to an incapacitating illness, the Recertification Committee may vote to extend the deadline for recertification.

During any appeal process, ACLAM publications and membership directories in which the certification status of the members is listed will list the member as “certification current.”

Certification Status/Directory Listing
All ACLAM Diplomates are considered “certification current” if they have completed the recertification requirements or have not yet reached the date on which recertification is required.