ABC Certification Program
ABC Certification Program FAQs
Q: Who do I contact to find out if certification is offered where I live?
A: The certification contacts page has an updated list of contact information for programs. You can search information by state, province or country. If certification is not offered in the state or province where you live, please visit ABC's Certification Program page for information about becoming certified.
Q: How do I apply for ABC Certification?
A: To request an application, email abc@abccert.org with the following information:
- Your full name.
- The category and level of certification for which you would like to apply.
- Your email address.
If you do not have access to email, call our office at (515) 232-3623 with same information and your preferred mailing address.
Q: What needs to be submitted with the application?
A: The documentation* requirements vary slightly based on category and class and are specified on each application. Any information requested on the application must be submitted or your processing will be delayed. Please refer to the application for required materials. Requirements may include, but are not limited to:
- A copy of your high school diploma (or transcript indicating graduation date), GED, or equivalent.
- A letter from your supervisor describing, in detail, your job duties, job title, and dates of employment and years in DRC, if applicable.
- Transcripts or other official documentation of all post-secondary education.
- A copy of your current certification and test score, if applicable.
- Completed Plant Point Rating sheet.
- Nonrefundable application fee.
*Any documents not written in English must be submitted as a certified translation.
Q: How long will it take for a review of my submitted application?
A: Typical processing time for a complete application is 30 days. You will be contacted by email or phone if your application is missing any components or if more information needed. After 30 days, you may follow up on the status of your application by emailing certification@abccert.org.
Q: How will I be contacted to sign up for an examination?
A: Once your application is approved, your information will be sent to our computer-based testing partner, Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP). They will contact you by mail and by email (if email address was provided on your application) with directions on scheduling your exam.
Q: Where will I take my exam?
A: ABC’s Computer-Based Testing partner, AMP, offers over 170 testing centers throughout the United States and in other locations worldwide. At the time candidates schedule an examination appointment with AMP, specific address information will be provided.
Q: When do I have to take my exam?
A: Available dates will be indicated when scheduling your examination with AMP. Candidates are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. You must take your exam within six months of application approval.
Q: What is the format of ABC examination questions?
A: ABC uses only multiple-choice questions. Most questions have four options (one correct answer and three distractors).
Q: How long will the exam last?
A: There is a three (3) hour time limit for the exam.
Q: How should I prepare for the exam?
A: ABC’s questions are primarily referenced to the California State University, Sacramento, the Water Environment Federation (WEF), and the American Water Works Association (AWWA) books. A complete reference list is provided in the Need-to-Know Criteria. Candidates are encouraged to visit the Examination Resources section of our website for more information.
Q: What should I expect at the testing center when I take a computerized exam?
A: A demonstration of the computerized exam process is available on ABC’s website.
Q: I’d like to check on the status of my score, can I contact ABC?
A: You will receive your score at the conclusion of your computer-based exam. Candidates who pass the exam will receive a formal certificate from ABC the month following your exam. A retake notice will be sent if you didn’t pass the exam.
Q: I didn’t pass the exam. How can I better prepare?
A: After taking an exam, you can request a diagnostic report from ABC for $15.00. A diagnostic report shows your strengths and weaknesses in exam areas. Some of our clients already receive diagnostic profiles, which are included within your scoring information. Please check this information before requesting a diagnostic profile.
Q: Does ABC recommend a process for candidates to challenge an examination question?
A: Candidates may provide comments regarding any question(s) they believe contain errors. Examinees taking a paper-based exam should submit comments on the Question Comment Form; those taking a computerized exam should submit comments electronically during the exam. The ABC Certification Program does not reissue scores based on question updates, but our subject matter experts use these comments to improve future examinations.
Q: What courses should I take for my CEUs? Will you approve a course before I take it?
A: At this time, we do not pre-approve coursework for certification applicants. Approval of coursework is completed after an application is submitted and is guided by the list of ABC approved topics developed by our Certification Committee and subject matter experts. Lists of approved topics are posted for some certification categories on our Renewal page. For certification categories where a list of approved topics has not been developed, the relevant ABC Need-to-Know Criteria guides coursework approval.
Q: I am certified in another state. Do I qualify for ABC certification by reciprocity?
A: Please consult our Certification by Reciprocity page and our Exam Equivalency charts to determine your eligibility. At this time, only exams listed on the published charts will be considered.
Submit your Frequently Asked Questions to ABC.