RID Credentialing Moratorium FAQ

RID Credentialing Moratorium FAQ

Updated: 6/3/16

This document will be updated as additional questions are received. If you have a question that is not covered in this document, please send an e-mail to certification@rid.org.

Background Information

On August 8, 2015, the RID Board of Directors announced that RID will be placing a moratorium on credentialing pending the results of the Risk Analysis of the certification program. President Dawn Whitcher’s announcement can be found here.

The purpose of this document is to provide details about how individuals beginning or in the middle of the certification process will be affected.

General Questions

Q1. When does the moratorium take effect?

A1. The current timeline is as follows:

October 1, 2015: RID stops taking new registrations for the NIC, CDI, OTC and SC:L Performance Exams. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on September 30, 2015. Paper applications must be post-marked by September 30, 2015.

January 1, 2016: RID stops offering performance exams. The last day for a performance exam to be scheduled at a test site is December 31, 2015. Test Sites will not administer any performance exams beyond this date.

RID stops accepting CLIP-R Applications. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on December 31, 2015. Paper applications must be post-marked by December 31, 2015.

May 30, 2016: RID stops accepting applications and stops testing for the SC:L and OTC Knowledge Exams.

July 1, 2016: RID stops accepting Ed:K-12 Applications. Online applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM EDT on June 30, 2016. Paper applications must be post-marked by June 30, 2016. Note: All exams must be taken on or before December 31, 2015 to be accepted as part of an Ed:K-12 application.

Please note that RID will continue to offer the NIC and CDI Knowledge Exams beyond January 1, 2016.

Q2. How long will this moratorium last?

A2. There is currently no defined timeline for the end of the moratorium. A timeline for lifting of the moratorium will be determined by the RID Board of Directors after the completion of the Risk Assessment, which is scheduled to be delivered to the Board by November 1, 2015. The outcome of that assessment will determine if, when, and how each exam will come back online. RID will communicate details about the end of the moratorium timeline for each exam as soon as they are available.

Q3. Which credentials are being affected by this moratorium?

A3. RID currently offers six different certifications, NIC, CDI, OTC, SC:L, Ed:K-12 and CLIP-R. The moratorium will place on hold the issuing of all of these credentials. Please see questions below regarding how this affects each certification specifically.

Q4. I hold an active RID or NAD Certification. Will I still be considered Certified?

A4. Yes. The moratorium will be limited to the granting of new credentials. It does not impact any previously held certifications. As long as the certified member maintains their certification by completing the CEUs requirements through the Certification Maintenance Program and acting in accordance with the NAD-RID Code of Professional Conduct, they will not lose their certification.

Q5. Is it possible that RID will discontinue a certification?

A5. It is possible that RID will not bring a specific certification back online for testing, but at this time the conditions for such an occurrence have not been set. The Risk Assessment that is being conducted will help to establish what programs RID can reasonably provide given its current resources and priorities. In the event that a certification is discontinued, further information will be provided to current candidates and certification holders directly.

Q6. When should I register for my test date?

A6. Based on the current number of applicants in the system, RID believes that the current network of test sites will be able to handle the volume of test takers. However, as we do not know how many will register for the exam by October 1, we cannot guarantee that a testing location will be available at your preferred time. Therefore, RID recommends that all registered candidates schedule an exam appointment as soon as possible.

Q7. If I registered for an exam, but do not want to take it, can I get a refund?

A7. RID will refund any registration fees, for exams not taken. Normally, there is a $40 processing fee for exam registration. However, this will be waived in all cases. To request a refund please call the Certification Department at 703-838-0030.

Please note that, per RID policy, registration fees paid over 2 years ago may only be refunded as a credit. This credit can be used for membership dues, bookstore items or other certification fees.

Q8 What happens if there is a technical problem during my exam? Will I be able to retake it after January 1?

A8. RID is committed to making sure that each candidate has the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and have a fair rating of their exam. In the event that this does not happen, RID will work directly with individual candidates as appropriate for their situation. That may mean that some re-tests will be administered beyond the January 1, 2016, deadline. Candidates with concerns about a specific administration of an exam should contact the Certification Department at certification@rid.org as soon as possible.

Q9. What happens if I submitted my performance exam application by October 1, 2015, but I am not able to be tested by January 1, 2016? Will my Authorization to Test (ATT) still be valid when any new test is resumed?

A9. One of the aspects that prompted the moratorium is the overall financial impact of the administration of performance testing. It is unclear at the point what impact the outcome of the Risk Assessment that will have on the exam registration fees structure. Therefore, after January 1, 2016, all Authorization to Test (ATT) Letters for performance exams will be invalid and candidates will have the option to request a refund for any exam they have not taken.

Q10. I am a CDI candidate but don’t have a Bachelor’s degree. If the CDI Performance Exam doesn’t come online until after July 1, 2016, will there be an extension to the degree requirement?

A10. The moratorium will begin six (6) months before the implementation of the Bachelor’s degree requirement for the CDI Performance Exam. To allow individuals who do not have a degree a fair opportunity to take this exam before the requirement changes, 6 months will be added to any date that might be established for ending the moratorium on the CDI Performance Exam.

Knowledge Exam Questions (NIC, CDI, OTC, SC:L)

Q11. If I take the knowledge exam after October 1, 2015, will I be able to take the performance exam before January 1, 2016?

A11. No. All exam applications must be submitted before October 1, 2015. Performance exams have an eligibility requirement of achieving a passing score on the knowledge exam. Candidates must meet this and all other the eligibility requirements prior to registering for an exam. Therefore, a candidate must pass a knowledge exam before registering for a performance exam.

Q12. Do I have to meet the eligibility requirements to register for an exam?

A12. Yes. Any training and educational (degree or Alternative Pathway) requirements must be documented and approved by RID at the time of registration. This means that all eligibility requirements must be completed prior to submitting an application. RID will not accept partial applications that are pending completion of some requirements.

Q13. If I take the knowledge exam after October 1, 2015, how long will I have to take the performance exam once it is re-opened?

A13. The 5 year deadline will remain in effect but will be put on hold until the performance exams are offered again. Candidates who take the knowledge exam after October 1, 2015, will start their five (5) years on the date the performance exam is re-opened for testing.

Performance Exam Questions (NIC, CDI, OTC, SC:L)

Q14. It will be five (5) years after passing my knowledge exam before January 1, 2016. Can I get an extension?

A14. Yes. At the end of each Candidate Handbook is a Certification Process Extension Request Form. Please submit this form to certification@rid.org.

Please note, a request for an extension will not change the application date for performance exams. That means that both the extension request and application for a performance exam must be received by October 1, 2015.

Q15. The test site is full, how can I schedule my exam?

A15. RID is monitoring test site availability to ensure that candidates who are eligible to test before January 1, 2016, have the opportunity available to them. However, we cannot anticipate the number of test takers who will register by October 1, 2015, and test sites do have a limited capacity. RID encourages all candidates to schedule their exam as soon as possible to ensure that they will be able to test within the appropriate time frame. To schedule your exam, you will need to provide proof of your Authorization to Test (ATT) Letter to the test site.

Q16. I would like to register for a retake, but it has not yet been six (6) months since my last attempt. How can I register?

A16. Candidates who wish to register prior to the end of the six (6) month waiting period may do so either by completing a paper application or by contacting the Certification Department at certification@rid.org.

Note that upon completing the registration process an Authorization to Test Letter will be issued. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that the test is scheduled after the six (6) month waiting period. In the event that an exam is taken before the six (6) months has elapsed, the exam will not be scored and all registration fees will be forfeit.

Q17. Does the six (6) month wait time between retakes still apply?

Q17. Yes. RID’s policies regarding the wait time between exams has not changed. However, some flexibility may be possible in special circumstances. Candidates who are in this situation are encouraged to contact the Certification Department at certification@rid.org as soon as possible.

Q18. Is there also a hold being placed on the five (5) year deadline for the knowledge exam?

A18. Yes. For all candidates who have passed a knowledge exam, RID will place a hold on the five (5) year deadline for the duration of the moratorium. Candidates will not lose time during the moratorium. To calculate the amount of time a candidate will have, count the number of days between January 1, 2016 and the end of the five (5) years. At such time as testing resumes, the candidate will have that many days to take and pass the appropriate Performance Exam.

For example, Jane T. Candidate’s five (5) year time frame expires on April 20, 2016, that is four (4) months and twenty (20) days after the start of the moratorium. At such time as the moratorium is lifted, Jane will have 4 months and 20 days from that day to take and pass the Performance Exam.

Ed:K-12 Questions

Q19. How is the Ed:K-12 affected by the moratorium?

A19. Since RID does not administer the EIPA Exam, candidates will be able to schedule that test beyond January 1, 2016. To be consistent with the other credentials, RID will accept any EIPA Exams taken prior to January 1, 2016. Because the EIPA Performance Exam can take a long time to be scored, RID will accept Ed:K-12 applications until June 30, 2016.

Q20. I took the EIPA Performance Exam before January 1, 2016, but took the EIPA Written Exam after January 1, 2016. Will I be able to apply for the Ed:K-12 credential?

A20. No. Both the EIPA Written and EIPA Performance Exams must have been taken prior to January 1, 2016. More information will be shared regarding exams taken after January 1, 2016 as it becomes available.

CLIP-R Questions

Q21. How is the CLIP-R affected by the moratorium?

A21 The CLIP-R does not require any examination to obtain this credential. Therefore, RID will stop accepting applications for this credential on January 1, 2016. All training and experience must be completed prior to submitting an application.

RID Credentialing Moratorium FAQ