Chapters 1 & 2 �Pre-Study Session Quiz��APIC DFW Professional �Advancement Committee�

1. How long is the certification valid for?

a. 2 years

b. 3 years

c. 4 years

d. 5 years

​

2. The CIC exam for first time certification � can be taken:

a. Proctored at work

b. Proctored at DSHS

c. Proctored a designated assessment facility

d. Anywhere at your own leisure

​

3. How many core areas are there for the current � CIC exam?

a. 4

b. 6

c. 8

d. 10

​

4. What is the recommended study time for each � study session?

a. 15-20 minutes

b. 20-30 minutes

c. 1 hour

d. 2 hours

​

Chapter 1: �The CIC Exam

Prepared by:

APIC DFW Professional Advancement Committee

CBIC

• Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
• Established by APIC in 1981
• Provides direction for and administers the certification process for infection prevention and control
• Mission: Protect the public by raising the standard of the infection prevention profession through the development, administration, and promotion of an accredited certification process

Objectives of Certification

• Provide a standardized measurement of current essential knowledge
• Encourage attainment of credential that denotes practice excellence among infection prevention and control professionals
• Formally recognize individuals who fulfill the requirements for certification with the CIC credential

Methods of Certification

• Initial certification:
• Proctored computer-based examination
• Remains valid for 5 years
• Recertification:
• Self Achievement Recertification Exam (SARE)
• Recertification by Continuing Education
• Remains valid for 5 years

Proctored Exam

• The exam is administered via computer, five days a week at designated assessment centers.
• Assessment centers are currently located in Bedford, Dallas, Wichita Falls, and Abilene.
• You can get more information on these locations on the CBIC website.

The Exam Content

• 150 multiple choice questions
• Covers 8 core areas
• Identification of Infectious Disease Processes (22 items)
• Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation (24 items)
• Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents (25 items)
• Employee/Occupational Health (11 items)
• Management and Communication (13 items)
• Education and Research (11 items)
• Environment of Care (14 items)
• Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis (15 items)

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Cognitive Levels

• Each item will target different cognitive levels (recall, application, analysis)
• Recall: test the memorization or recall of practice-specific information such as specific facts, generalization, concepts, principles, processes, procedures, and theories. 25%
• Application: test simple interpretation or application of limited data. Apply rules, methods, concepts, principles, laws or theories and to recognize the elements and relationships among data. 60%
• Analysis: tests the evaluation of data, the analysis of the relationships between parts, or the organizational principles involved. 15%

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SARE

• Similar in content to the computer-based examination
• 150 multiple choice questions
• Questions are practice oriented and challenging
• Geared to infection prevention and control practitioner with seven years experience
• Self-administered
• May access the SARE multiple times before completion

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Eligibility for the Exam

• You are accountable for the infection prevention and control activities/program in your setting and this is reflected in your current job description.

AND

• You have a post-secondary degree (e.g. baccalaureate degree) from an accredited academic facility.

AND

(continued on next slide)

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Eligibility for the Exam

(Continued from previous slide)

• You have had sufficient experience (recommended: two years) in infection prevention and control which includes all three (3) of the following:
1. Identification of infectious disease processes
2. Surveillance and epidemiologic investigation
3. Preventing and controlling the transmission of infectious agents

(continued on next slide)

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Eligibility for the Exam

(Continued from previous slide)

• And at least two (2) of the remaining five (5) components:
1. Employee/occupational health
2. Management and communication
3. Education and research
4. Environment of care
5. Cleaning, sterilization, disinfection, and asepsis

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Documentation Required

• Candidates will be required to submit the following documentation with their application:
• Attestation Statement (completed, signed and dated by supervisor)
• Proof of Degree
• CV/Resume
• Official Job Description

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Recertification by Continuing Education

• Candidates must submit professional portfolio demonstrating completion of 40 domain-specific Infection Prevention Units (IPUs)
• All IPUs are required to be from an accredited organization
• Learn more about recertification IPUs: https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Recertify/Recertification-by-Continuing-Education.htm
• Download the IPUs criteria chart: https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Recertify/Recertification-by-Continuing-Education/IPUs-Criteria-Chart.htm
• Review the FAQ page: https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Certification-FAQs.htm
• Download the Candidate Handbook to help you prepare: https://www.cbic.org/CBIC/Candidate-Handbook.htm

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Chapter 2: �Test Taking Tips & Strategies

Prepared by:

APIC DFW Professional Advancement Committee

Preparation for the Exam

• Select a realistic date for your exam.
• Gather resources to study
• The Certification Study Guide
• Attend APIC courses and webinars
• CDC and HICPAC guidelines
• Read the CBIC Candidate Handbook
• Read Table 2-1 Study Methods on Page 26-27

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Developing Thinking Skills

• Concentrate on learning the subject well, not memorizing facts
• Develop memory skills that trigger retrieval of needed facts
• Acronyms, acrostics, ABCs, imaging, rhymes
• Improve higher level thinking skills by exercising the analysis of memorized facts

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Knowing the Content

• Develop a formal study schedule
• Review the content outline and fill out a calendar with your study plans
• Find a space to study without interruptions
• Assess the content of the study materials and determine the need:
• No review required
• Minimal review
• Intensive review required
• Start from the beginning

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Study Sessions

• Keep the study session short (20-30 minutes)
• Actively study by taking notes as you study
• Allow extra time to study chapters that have more complex information
• Take practices quizzes which will help identify areas that need further review
• There are significant lab values that you should know (blood gases, renal function, serum chemistry, CBC)

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Studying with Others

• Only you know how you study best
• Some people do better studying by themselves, some do better with others and some do better with both methods
• Find a Study Buddy
• Participate in a study group
• Find a Mentor currently certified and practicing in the field

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Test Drive

• Knowing the look and feel of the computer based testing environment may help alleviate anxiety and prevent you from getting lost on the day of the exam
• Test Drive is offered by Prometric (the testing facility) that allows candidates to take a real world practice run. It includes: the scheduling and registration process, the complete check-in process, introduction to test center staff and surroundings, and a live 15 minute sample test demonstrating the testing process

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Taking the Exam

• Get plenty of rest the day before-do not cram.
• Gather the necessary items you need for the exam the night before; and bring them!
• Wear comfortable clothes to the exam.
• Eat something before you go to help your mental acuity.
• Look for hints in the wording of each question and identify key words.
• Once you make your selection, don’t worry about. Usually your first selection is the the right one.
• Answer every question.
• Pace yourself-don’t spend too much time on a single question.

Chapters 1 & 2 �Post-Study Session Quiz��APIC DFW Professional �Advancement Committee�

1. How long is the certification valid for?

a. 2 years

b. 3 years

c. 4 years

d. 5 years

​

1. How long is the certification valid for?

a. 2 years

b. 3 years

c. 4 years

d. 5 years

​

2. The CIC exam for first time certification � can be taken:

a. Proctored at work

b. Proctored at DSHS

c. Proctored a designated assessment facility

d. Anywhere at your own leisure

​

2. The CIC exam for first time certification � can be taken:

a. Proctored at work

b. Proctored at DSHS

c. Proctored a designated assessment facility

d. Anywhere at your own leisure

​

3. How many core areas are there for the current � CIC exam?

a. 4

b. 6

c. 8

d. 10

​

3. How many core areas are there for the current � CIC exam?

a. 4

b. 6

c. 8

d. 10

​

4. What is the recommended study time for each � study session?

a. 15-20 minutes

b. 20-30 minutes

c. 1 hour

d. 2 hours

​

4. What is the recommended study time for each � study session?

a. 15-20 minutes

b. 20-30 minutes

c. 1 hour

d. 2 hours

​