CIH Exam for American Board of Industrial Hygiene (ABIH) Latest Update
The Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) credential, administered by the Board for Global EHS Credentialing (BGC), is a distinguished certification that signifies a professional's expertise in industrial hygiene and commitment to maintaining high ethical standards. Attaining the CIH designation involves meeting specific educational and professional prerequisites, successfully passing a comprehensive examination, and adhering to ongoing certification maintenance requirements.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CIH certification, candidates must fulfill several criteria encompassing education, professional experience, and ethics training:
Academic Qualifications: Candidates should possess at least a U.S. bachelor's degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or an equivalent authority. The degree must include a minimum of 60 U.S. academic semester credits (900 contact hours) in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Furthermore, at least 25% of these STEM credits (15 semester credits) should be at the upper-division level, such as junior, senior, or graduate courses.
Industrial Hygiene-Specific Coursework: Applicants are required to complete at least 12 U.S. academic semester credits (180 contact hours) of industrial hygiene coursework from a college or university or 240 contact hours from a continuing education provider. Half of this coursework should cover fundamental topics, including industrial hygiene principles, toxicology, exposure measurement, and control methods.
Professional Experience: A minimum of four years of professional-level, comprehensive industrial hygiene practice is mandatory. This experience must encompass broad-scope industrial hygiene activities in at least two of the following categories: chemical, physical, biological, or ergonomic stressors. Notably, graduates from ABET-accredited industrial hygiene programs may receive partial experience credit.
Ethics Training: Candidates must complete at least two contact hours of ethics training from a recognized educational institution or continuing education provider. Additionally, adherence to the BGC Code of Ethics is required, ensuring that certified professionals uphold integrity and ethical conduct in their practice.
Application Process
The application process for the CIH certification involves several steps:
Review Eligibility: Prospective applicants should thoroughly assess their qualifications against the CIH Eligibility Checklist provided by BGC to identify any areas requiring further development.
Submit Application: Candidates must complete the online application through the Certification Application and Processing System (CAPS), detailing their educational background, professional experience, and references. Supporting documentation, such as transcripts and proof of ethics training, should be uploaded as part of the application.
Provide References: Applicants are required to obtain professional references, including at least two from supervisors who can attest to the duration and scope of their industrial hygiene experience. Additional references from Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) or professionals certified by organizations recognized by the International Occupational Hygiene Association (IOHA) may also be necessary.
Pay Fees: A non-refundable application fee is required upon submission. Additional fees include the examination fee and, upon successful certification, annual dues to maintain the credential.
Examination Details
The CIH examination is a rigorous assessment designed to evaluate a candidate's knowledge and skills across various domains of industrial hygiene practice:
Exposure Assessment Principles and Practice: This domain constitutes 50% of the exam and covers tasks such as anticipating and recognizing potential health hazards, assessing exposure-health effect relationships, designing exposure assessment strategies, and formulating conclusions based on data analysis.
Control Selection, Recommendation/Implementation, and Validation: Accounting for 35% of the exam, this section focuses on assessing and selecting control options, developing and implementing appropriate controls, and validating their effectiveness in mitigating exposures.
Risk Management: Making up 15% of the exam, this domain involves developing and implementing programs to address health risks, as well as evaluating and maintaining the effectiveness of these programs.
The exam comprises 180 multiple-choice questions (150 scored and 30 unscored pilot questions) and is administered over a 5-hour period, with an optional 30-minute break. Candidates are tested on their ability to apply knowledge in practical scenarios, reflecting real-world industrial hygiene challenges.
Preparation Resources
Effective preparation for the CIH exam is crucial. Candidates are encouraged to utilize various resources, including:
Study Courses: Organizations such as AIHA, Bowen EHS, the University of Colorado Denver, and the University of Michigan offer preparatory courses tailored to the CIH exam content. These courses provide structured learning and practice opportunities.
Reference Materials: Key publications recommended for exam preparation include ACGIH's "Air Sampling Instruments," "Bioaerosols: Assessment and Control," and "Industrial Ventilation: A Manual of Recommended Practice for Design." These texts offer in-depth coverage of topics pertinent to the exam.
Webinars and Workshops: Webinars, such as the "CIH Exam Equation Sheets Explained," help candidates understand and apply essential equations used in industrial hygiene practice and the exam.
Certification Maintenance
After achieving CIH certification, professionals must engage in continuous learning and professional development to maintain their credential.
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