Certification Maintenance

Helpful Links:

• Recertification Portal (Prolydian)

• Recertification Petition Guidelines (2026)

• Obsolete Recertification Petition Guidelines (only available to members recertifying in 2026 and 2027)

ACA recently implemented a revised and simplified set of recertification guidelines to make the credit request process clearer and more equitable. As part of this transition, we completed a crosswalk of member credits from the prior system to the updated system. Members whose credit totals were affected have been contacted directly to review their records and discuss available options.

• Members recertifying in 2026 or 2027 may use either the “old” guidelines or the new guidelines.
• Members recertifying in 2028 and beyond will adhear to the new guidelines.
• Primary changes include:
  • More credit for chairing committees, task forces, or serving as an executive officer
  • Potentially more credit for writing, publishing, editing, depending on the length of the written work
  • No longer being able to recertify with all 60 credits in the Education category with none in the other categories

We welcome your questions! Contact our Regent for Certification Maintenance anytime.

Certification Maintenance  

Your Certification is valid for a five year cycle. During this time, Certified Archivists (CAs) can earn credits toward recertification, or elect to recertify by examination.  

CAs may always check their recertification status and dates within the Recertification Portal. Those who are due for recertification will also be notified by email by ACA leading up to the final months of their certification.  

Were you an active CA as of August 1, 2020? Your certification was extended by 1-year to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on professional activities. Click here for more information and new certification cycle dates.

Certified Archivists have two options when recertifyig: either by petition or by examination. You can learn more about these two options below:  

Recertification by Examination  

Certified Archivists may elect to recertify by taking the exam by submitting this Intent to Recertify by Examination form. You may take any exam offered during your final year of certification or the earliest exam offered during the following year. For example, a CA with a recertification period ending on December 31, 2023, may choose to take any exam offered during 2023 or the earliest exam offered during 2024.  

What if I take the exam in my final year of certification and do not pass? Your certification will remain valid for the original five-year period. You can submit enough credits to recertify by petition by the deadline or re-take the exam at the earliest date offered during the following year.  

What if I take the earliest exam offered during the year following my certification and do not pass? Your certification will lapse. If you wish to continue as a Certified Archivist, you will need to retake the exam as a new applicant.  

Recertification by Petition

Certified Archivists may elect to recertify by petition. This option uses a credit system to reward continuing education, service, and other contributions to the profession. CAs have 5 years to accumulate a minimum of 60 Continuting Education Credits (CEs) following the requirements in the guidelines for recertification by petition (liked at the top of this page).

Continuing Education activities may be submitted for credit at any time through the recertification portal and are reviewed on a rolling basis. To ensure activities are counted toward your recertification cycle, you are strongly encouraged to submit all request for credits no later than April 30 of the year your recertification is due.

What happens if I reach the minimum required for certification before my certification period ends? Congratulations! You’ve met the requirements for recertification. You can continue to enter additional credits if you so choose. At the end of your current certification period, you will be recertified for the next five-year cycle.  

If I hit the 60-credit minimum will additional activities I enter be credited to future recertification requirements? No. Credits do not carryover to future recertification cycles.  

Recertification by petition has several advantages: 

Archival specialization - Recertification by petition allows you to specialize in particular aspects of archival practice without keeping up to date on the entire scope of the profession, as you would need to when taking the examination. This is an advantage for people who are relatively settled in their career and ready to specialize. 

Writing and research - Archivists who are active in writing and research activities will be given credit for this work. This is especially useful for academic archivists.  

Continuing education - Archivists can earn credits for attending archival classes, workshops, and conferences. Events can be physical or virtual and live or recorded, fitting into the professional development of archivists in every stage of their career.  

Professional service - Archivists who volunteer to serve on committees or hold an office in local, regional, or national archival organizations can earn credits for their service. This includes service for ACA.  

Questions?  

Do you have questions about recertification or are you struggling to meet requirements? Please contact the Regent for Certification Maintenance. We are here to support you.