How long have you been certified?

40+ years

How has the CIC® helped you grow professionally and in your career?

Achieving and maintaining my CIC helped build confidence that I was competent to pursue my career in infection prevention and control. It also demonstrates to my coworkers and colleagues that I take our profession seriously and that I can lead others to establish and enrich a successful IPC program.

Why did you choose to recertify?

I was among those who took and passed the very first CIC exam. I recertified each time because I knew I needed to demonstrate that I was keeping up with the latest trends and was capable of continual improvement.

What advice would you give to someone considering certification?

Just do it! Study hard, because it is a challenging exam. If you study best alone, then make sure you are using the right resources. If you study best in a group setting, there are many sources for groups, including many APIC or IPAC chapters, as well as online opportunities. Once you have your CIC, you demonstrate that competence to yourself, to others, and to your employer. Best wishes!