Credentialing Maintenance Program
A Credentialing Maintenance (CM) Program has been implemented in order to ensure that RBPs and CBSPs maintain their professional qualifications. The CM Program requires RBPs and CBSPs participate in professional development activities in addition to biological safety activities encountered through their daily job function. RBPs and CBSPs must meet the requirements of the CM Program to maintain their credentials.
Information on the program and earning points:
To find out when your cycle ends, please review:
The new format is a great tool to help track completed activities and have a running total of earned points. Submit by February 1 following your cycle end date:
Following the year a credential is granted, individuals are required to pay a Credentialing Maintenance (CM) fee of $25 per credential, per year. In addition, a recertification fee is required once per cycle:
$50 for ABSA members (covers one or both credentials)
$100 for non-members (covers one or both credentials)
Credentialing fees are not invoiced.
Credentialed individuals must log in to Connect.ABSA.org to submit payments directly.
This is also where you:
- pay annual Credentialing Maintenance (CM) fees,
- submit the recertification fee, and
- upload your CM Worksheets.
Please refer to the Professional Development Activities list for the CM Points and approval number required to be listed on the credentialing maintenance worksheet.
Recertified Biosafety Professionals who attended the 2017 ABSA International Conference
Credit for non-approved courses
If the course or meeting you have attended is not on the approved list, you may apply for credentialing maintenance points by submitting an Application for Credentialing Maintenance Points (you must login to use this form).
The CBSP Exam Content (Domains)) is used as a basis for determining relevance to biosafety. The Board will notify you of the number of credentialing maintenance points awarded for the activity.
Upcoming approved courses
If you are in search of approved courses that will count toward the required Professional Development activities (15 cm points/cycle), review the Events page for upcoming ABSA and ABSA Affiliate sponsored trainings.
Note: All CM points claimed on worksheets must be proven for which attendance/participation can be documented. Listing ABSA CM approval numbers does not prove activity attendance.
Extreme Situations – Request for Accommodation
If you feel you cannot recertify when your cycle ends due to an extreme situation and need additional time to complete, refer to the Request for Accommodation form. The request form is intended for those seeking an approved extension of up to six (6) months and must be submitted by December 31. Forms will not be considered if CM worksheet fails to meet the CM point requirement or if received after the deadline.
Maintaining Your ABSA Credentials: I have it, now how do I keep it?
Recorded from a 2023 webinar and presented by two members of ABSA International’s Credentialing Maintenance Board, Hallie Hoskins, Chair, and Rhonda O’Keefe, Co-chair.
“Maintaining Your ABSA Credentials: I have it, now how do I keep it?” is a webinar designed for those who currently hold the ABSA International Registered Biosafety Professional (RBP) and/or Certified Biological Safety Professional (CBSP) credentials. The webinar will outline the re-credentialing process, review form options, and highlight the various ways to earn credentialing maintenance (CM) points, including tips on finding lower cost professional development opportunities. Presenters will review how and when approval is needed and explain how to complete the Application for Credentialing Maintenance Points form for an activity not already on the approved list of professional development opportunities. The webinar will provide ideas for tracking activities over the 5-year period, guidance on what records to save in case you are chosen for audit, and tips on avoiding common mistakes throughout the process. A brief tour of the relevant areas of the ABSA website will be shown and then there will be time for questions and answers.
