Latent Print Certification

The Division/Regional Certification Committee

For geographical reasons, the I.A.I Division/Regional Certification Committees are responsible for administering the test to applicants in their respective States/Regions. Once an application has been received by the Latent Print Certification Board Secretary, it is then forwarded to the respective Committee Chair of the Region in which the applicant resides. Responsibilities of the Division Certification Committees are outlined in Section XII of the Certification Program Operations Manual as follows;

  1. THE DIVISION/REGIONAL CERTIFICATION COMMITTEE
    1. General Provisions:
      1. The division certification committees shall be appointed by the president of each division and shall consist of a chair and an appropriate number of members as determined by the division. Division committee members must be certified in the appropriate discipline. Proxies are not permitted.
      2. Any recommendations made or any actions taken must be with concurrence of the majority of the division certification committee and be in accord with the rules and guidelines expressed herein and the general rules and guidelines as determined by the IAI Certification Board.
      3. Where applicable, the division certification committee is responsible for administering the certification test and verifying the information provided by applicants. The proctor must be approved by the Certifying Board.
        1. Proctoring of the test and verifying the information will be conducted to prevent issues of impropriety or conflict of interest (such as direct line supervisor, relative, training provider, etc.), as well as those that could be perceived as having a benefit or other connection to the applicant’s outcome of the certification process.
        2. Should the division/regional committee find discrepancies with the application investigation, they are to notify the Certifying Board Chair/Secretary and the QACB Chair in writing with the specifics of the discrepancy.
    2. Initial Procedures Leading to Testing:
      1. Certification applications will be received in duplicate by the secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board. This application will be logged in, assigned a number, and an e-mail/letter will be sent to the applicant.
        1. The original application will be retained by the secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board.
        2. The copy/e-mail with attachments and a copy of the acknowledging letter will be forwarded to the chair of the division certification committee.
      2. Upon receipt of an application for certification, the division certification committee will proceed as follows:
        1. Review application insuring that all necessary information is furnished together with letters of endorsement, etc.
        2. Conduct necessary investigation regarding qualifications of the applicant.
        3. Make recommendation to the secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board.
      3. The secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board will review the application, related material, and recommendation of the division certification committee. If the secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board concurs that the applicant meets the requirements for testing, an email/letter advising the applicant that the division certification committee is of the opinion that he/she meets the requirements for testing will be forwarded.
        1. A copy of the email/letter will be forwarded to the chair of the division certification committee with a request that the secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board be advised of the date that the test will be administered and the name and address of the proctor who will have the responsibility for administering the test and who shall contact the applicant regarding a mutually agreeable date for the test, equipment he/she will need, location of test and other things deemed necessary. The test must be administered within 90-days from date the proctor takes receipt of the test; if test is not administered within this time frame written notification is to be made to the secretary/designee of the Certifying Board as to the reason and expected test date. The proctor must be present during the entire testing process.
        2. Reasonable accommodation will be made for physically disabled applicants. It is the responsibility of the applicant to let the proctor know if accommodations will be needed.
        3. If an applicant, through circumstances beyond the applicant’s control cannot arrange to take the test as indicated, he/she should contact the proctor immediately via letter/email for an alternative testing date.
        4. If an applicant does not appear on the date specified, his/her unused (sealed) test must be returned with the other testing material and a new date will be set for his/her testing. The proctor will notify via letter/email the secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board of the applicant’s failure to appear.
      4. If the Secretary/designee of the IAI Certification Board disagrees with the recommendation of the division/regional certification committee, the Certification Board will review the application, related material, and recommendation. The Certification Board will vote on the application.
        1. If the Certifying Board overrules the findings or decision of the Division/Regional committee, the Chair/Secretary of the Certifying Board will respond in writing as to the actions and reasons taken. This letter will be sent to the divisional/regional committee and the QACB Chair. Depending on the degree of the discrepancy and action taken, the QACB Chair may or may not bring it to the attention of the BOD.

Certification Fee Monies

The Division encompassing the area in which the applicant practices may bill the Latent Print Certification Board for one-third (1/3) of the application fee to defray the cost incurred by the division in processing the application, conducting the necessary investigation and testing the applicant.

The remaining two-thirds will be retained by the Certification Board to defray expenses involved in records keeping, preparation of test material, certificates, correspondence and necessary travel.