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CIH Recertification by CM Point Submission

A Diplomate recertifies via CM point submission by meeting the minimum requirements as listed below. CM credit is required in Category 4, but all the other Categories are optional. This provides a flexible, customizable way for the Diplomate to accrue the required overall CM Points. Each Category is further explained in the Point Categories section.

Minimum Point Requirements (for Recertification by CM Point Submission)

During a CM cycle, Diplomates must accrue the minimum amount of CM credit in order to be recertified. There is no maximum number of overall CM points that can be earned during a CM cycle. There are a few maximums in some of the individual categories (see Point Categories). Diplomates can check their CM cycle on their CAPS portal.

CM Cycle Length Category 4 – Points (Hours) Overall Points1
IH2 Ethics3
60 Months 10 (60 hrs.) 0.33 (2 hrs.) 40
1Category 4 points also count toward the overall points.
2Those with the IEQ sub-specialty, at least 30 hours (5 points) must be in air quality.
3Ethics points do not count as IH points.

Diplomates can submit more than 40 points (35 for CAIHs), but they are not required if the first 40 (35) points meet all requirements. Excess points cannot be transferred to another recertification cycle.

CM Point Submission Process

CM point submission is available through the Diplomate’s CAPS portal. BGC will only accept CM Excel worksheets that have been issued by BGC through the December 31, 2019, CM cycle. Diplomates are expected to follow the CM rules that are posted here on the BGC website.

BGC sends several reminder communications during the last 6 months of the CM cycle. During this time period, it is important that the Diplomate’s contact information is up to date.

Submissions should be completed at the end of the CM cycle according to the reporting calendar. Diplomates can check their CM cycle due date in their CAPS portal. (Note: The expiration date on the Diplomate’s paper certificate is not the CM Cycle End Date nor the CM Point Submission Due Date.)

Activities claimed on the submission must be supported through a written impartial record. If a written, objective record is not available, the Diplomate should not list the item on the worksheet. Examples of satisfactory records are listed in each of the category sections (see Point Categories). CM point submissions are initially submitted without proof of participation records.

Submissions are reviewed in the order in which they are received. The review process can take 4 weeks. Allow ample time if you need to align your BGC recertification with other certifications. There is no charge for reviewing submissions; however, if a Diplomate is in fees arrears, the submission will not be processed until the fees are paid.

BGC reviews each submission until the minimum requirements are achieved. BGC will contact the Diplomate if the minimums are not achieved or if there is anything unclear or missing on the submission. CM credit earned in excess of the minimum requirements does not earn extra credit nor does it carry over to a future CM cycle.

Being recertified does not mean that everything listed on the submission was acceptable for CM points. If a Diplomate has questions about what was or was not acceptable (for purposes of future submissions), the Diplomate should contact BGC.

CM Audits

During each CM cycle, five percent (5%) of Diplomates are randomly selected for a CM audit. Activities claimed on the CMP submission are verified through written, impartial records.

The purpose of the audit is to:

  • Verify that the Diplomate has achieved the minimum requirements necessary for recertification.
  • Identify areas where Diplomates have difficulty in providing records so that BGC may continuously improve its programs.

Diplomates selected for an audit will be notified. The documents submitted in CAPS must be consistent with the dates and activities listed on the CM submission. Examples of satisfactory records are listed in each of the CM Category descriptions (see Point Categories). BGC may review the records of diplomates or course sponsors in the manner it deems appropriate to determine compliance with the requirements set forth in this guidance. Submitting false information may result in revocation of certification.

Diplomates are normally allowed four weeks to send the records to BGC. This may occasionally be adjusted to account for holiday time periods. Additional time can be granted in some cases due to circumstances where the Diplomate does not have access to the records, e.g., extended business or personal travel, location shutdowns, medical illnesses, or family illnesses. The Diplomate must contact BGC to request additional time, which may or may not be granted.

Audit results are reported to the Diplomate. If the provided records support that the Diplomate achieved the required minimum CM credit, a recertification letter and new certificate are mailed.

If the provided records do not support that the required minimum points were achieved, the Diplomate will be contacted to secure other records or look for additional, overlooked CM point opportunities.

The Diplomate will have failed to maintain certification if:

  • the audit records were not submitted, or
  • the audit records do not support that the minimum requirements were achieved

Record Retention

Records acceptable for CM are described in CM Category descriptions (see Point Categories). Ideally, the Diplomate should establish a records folder that can be built throughout the cycle. A single storage folder or location will also increase the chance that documentation will be available when needed. You can also upload your documentation to your online account; however, make sure you retain original copies. Practitioners often leave valuable records at a previous employer when changing jobs.

After the Diplomate has received the recertification letter and certificate from BGC, records pertaining to the previous CM cycle will not be needed by BGC. Records can be retained for personal, professional, and tax purposes, but BGC does not require that they be kept for purposes of its certification.

Persons who have retired or voluntarily surrendered their certification or have had their certification revoked should retain their records to accommodate future re-activation efforts.

CIH CM Handbook