Latent Print Certification

Recertification / Certification Renewal

The following information outlines the requirements for recertification as stated in the Certification Program Operations Manual. Below that, you will find the specific requirements of the Latent Print Certification Board including the recertification test that all recertification applicants must complete.

Section X (Certification Program Operations Manual)

  1. The certification program calls for recertification every five years.
    (This is necessary to determine the activities of the examiner over the previous five years and provide for updating of records).
  2. Each certified examiner will be notified by email/letter 90 days prior to the expiration of his/her certification.
    1. If no response, a second notification is forwarded 45 days later. The first notification is addressed to the certified individual’s business as listed in the original application for certification or in the current roster of IAI members. The second notification is addressed to the certified individual’s home.
    2. All applicants for recertification should complete the recertification application promptly to insure continuous certification.
    3. All applicants for recertification are required to notify the Secretary of the individual IAI Certification Board of any changes to his/her home, work or e-mail information.
  3. The e-mail/letter shall be accompanied by a recertification application form, or instructions to download one from the IAI web site, all of which is required to be completed and returned in duplicate to the Secretary of the individual IAI Certification Board together with the recertification fee currently in effect. One-third of the recertification fee will go to the respective division’s certification committee (if applicable) who will act as a credentialing body to verify the information provided by the applicant and certify that the applicant is qualified to be recertified. The fees will cover that committee’s expenses, and the remainder is to defray expenses of the IAI Certification Board.
  4. The following procedure shall be followed for recertification.
    1. The recertification application will be recorded by the secretary/designee of the individual IAI Certification Board who will forward a copy/e-mail to the chair of the division certification committee.
    2. The division certification committee shall review the recertification application as noted in Section X, C.
    3. The names of those applying for recertification will be published in the Journal of Forensic Identification (JFI), if applicable. (JFI Newsletter – Identification News)
    4. Section D.4 - Recertification Credits
  5. Failure to apply for renewal will automatically place the certification in a delinquent status. Failure to resolve a delinquent status within one year will result in suspension of certification. If the certification lapses from delinquent to suspension, then an application for certification must be submitted, meeting all the current requirements for certification, and pay the current certification fee as posted on the IAI web site or provided by the secretary of the individual Certification Board, and take the certification test.
  6. If the certification was placed in suspension due to disciplinary action or forfeited by the certified individual due to technical error, the individual may apply for certification after one year suspension period. He/she must submit an application for certification, along with any supporting documentation required by the certifying board, pay the current certification fee as posted on the IAI web site or provided by the secretary of the individual Certification Board and take a test commensurate with the violation. (Section XI. D and the specific Certification Board’s Certification/Recertification section).
  7. Retired certificants may maintain their certification/recertification by meeting the application requirements; successfully acquiring the required number of continuing education/professional credits and successfully completing the recertification test for the specific certification program.

Latent Print Certification Board Requirements

  1. All applicants for recertification must accumulate 80 Continuing Education/Professional Development Credits since initial certification or recertification.
  2. The certification program calls for recertification every five years. This is necessary to determine the activities of the examiner over the previous five years and provide for updating of records.
  3. Applicants for recertification must prove continued competency by means of a comparison test. After approval of the Division Latent Print Certification Committee, the Secretary/designee of the Latent Print Certification Board will send the applicant a comparison test.
    1. Test will consist of five latent prints and five inked cards. The latent prints will all be identifiable with the inked prints provided.
    2. The applicant will have thirty days to complete the test and return it to the Secretary of the LPCB for grading. The applicant will provide a signed statement affirming that he/she took the test without assistance.
    3. All of the latent prints must be identified to pass the test.
    4. Failure to identify all of the latent prints will cause the suspension of their Certificate pending the applicant completing a new application for Certification and paying the applicable fee as stated on the IAI Website and taking the Certification test as stated. Failure to apply for testing prior to one year after the original expiration date of the Certificate will cause the suspension of the Certificate.
    5. An erroneous identification will cause the suspension of their Certificate for one year. After one year the applicant may apply for Certification and be tested as stated.

Other Notes

Applicants for recertification must be able to prove that they have maintained currency in the profession through a system of continuing education.

Proof will consist of copies of certificates showing attendance or participation in schools, training seminars, educational conferences, or workshops recognized by the Latent Print Certification Board. Recognized includes; All I.A.I. Parent Body Conferences; All I.A.I. Division Conferences; Any educational program that in some way relates to latent print work, as a pupil or instructor.

Two copies of these certificates must accompany the recertification application.
In lieu of the copies of certificates, a letter in duplicate from a supervisor, or instructor, indicating dates, time involved, and type of continuing education received, or given, will suffice.

The Division Latent Print Certification Committee shall review the recertification application, make appropriate inquiries relative to work performed by the applicant during the five previous years and make recommendations to the Certification Board.