Current Candidates
The links below provide you with the information you need to progress through the process and earn your ABC. If you have questions, please contact
or +1 415.544.4721.
Qualification: The portfolio
The portfolio you submit is a vital part of the process. It qualifies you to proceed with accreditation. It helps you and the Accreditation Council determine if you are ready to successfully complete the balance of the process.
The portfolio requirements are designed to give all candidates an equal opportunity to do well, regardless of their individual areas of expertise or any external or job-related advantages or limitations. The portfolio measures what you have done and the reasons for your actions.
You should display your professional abilities in the best possible light. Submit samples of your best work. In particular, your statements of objectives and results allow the examiners to evaluate your ability to think strategically. Your portfolio not only reflects what you have done but also gives you an opportunity to answer the question, "What, if anything, would I do differently if I could do the project all over again?" We strongly encourage you to ask an ABC colleague to be your mentor as he or she can provide good insights into your statement of objectives and your choices of work samples.
If your portfolio does not receive a qualifying score, a member of the Accreditation Council will give you a detailed explanation of the reasons why your portfolio needs more work and help you discover what you need to do in order to make it a qualifying portfolio. You have one year to re-work your portfolio, incorporating suggested changes. Your portfolio must receive a qualifying score before you will be eligible to take the accreditation exam.
You are required to submit two samples of your best work as an organizational communicator. There is no time frame within which work included in the portfolio must have been completed; however, it is recommended that 5 years be used as a suitable guideline (keep in mind that you will need to submit physical samples of the work completed). Your samples should represent a broad range of communication and media functions. The samples might represent work from (but are not limited to) any of the following areas:
- Communication programs
- Publications (please submit three issues if it is a recurring publication)
- Communication surveys or audits
- Campaigns
- Audiovisual programs
Indicate the nature and extent of your involvement and responsibility on each work sample.
Examination
The examination tests your knowledge of communication and management skills. The exam is 4.5 hours long and includes a written and oral test.
The written examination has three sections:
1. General knowledge of organizational communication. This is worth 40 percent of the written examination. It tests your knowledge of communication concepts, tools and technology, and your ability to write or perform professional communication activities based on actual assignments completed during the examination period.
2. Developing a full-range communication program. This is worth 40 percent of the written examination. As you answer the questions related to a case study, this section tests your ability to strategically think through and develop a complete communication program for a specific organizational or case problem. There are a number of options from which to choose. You may choose the situation most in line with your knowledge or professional experience.
3. Philosophy and ethics of organizational communication. This is worth 20 percent of the written examination. It tests your understanding of the ethics of organizational communication and of management principles related to communication and of the communicator's role in their application.
The required answers for the written examination may vary in length from a brief paragraph to an extensive discussion over one or two pages.
Some of the questions will have generally accepted "correct" answers and your responses will be evaluated against those standards. However, other questions will allow for more open-ended responses. On these questions, your answers will be judged on general content, comprehension, logic, organization and clarity of presentation. Many of the questions will require you to analyze or solve communication problems. Your answers will be evaluated in terms of insight, applicability, creativity and practicality in a real-world setting.
The oral exam tests your ability to make an extemporaneous presentation under the pressure of a real deadline. At some point during the four-hour written examination, you will be asked to leave the room for a 30-minute oral exam. You will be presented with a hypothetical situation described through simulated working documents such as memos, letters, voice mail and e-mail messages, faxes and news clips. You will have 15 minutes to study the documents and seven to ten minutes to present your diagnosis of the problem and your proposed solution.
The oral examiners evaluate five factors: 1) your effectiveness in identifying pertinent data from the working documents, 2) your ability to make a persuasive and clear presentation, 3) your skill in perceiving and reacting sensitively to the questions of others, 4) your ability to reach logical conclusions and 5) your efforts to influence events. This is a chance for you to explain how you would respond to a real-life situation in real time.
Scoring and evaluation
A zero- to seven-point scoring system is used throughout the accreditation process and applies to both the portfolio and examination phases:
0 = Question unanswered or completely wrong; a totally inappropriate response
1 = POOR: Performance well below that expected of an average professional communicator; a generally inadequate response
2 = Much less than satisfactory performance
3 = Less than satisfactory performance
4 = SATISFACTORY: Performance expected of a good, competent communicator; a fully adequate response
5 = More than satisfactory performance
6 = Much more than satisfactory performance
7 = OUTSTANDING: Performance worthy of a leader in the field; an extraordinary and insightful response to the question
To be accredited, you must:
- Score 4.0 or above on the portfolio to proceed to the oral and written examination.
- Achieve an overall average of 4.0 for all elements of the accreditation process.
Once you become accredited
Congratulations! Earning your IABC accreditation is an achievement of which you should be proud. You will receive:
- A certificate
- ABC pin
- Pass packet with detailed scores
and, perhaps most important,
- Peer recognition
- Personal satisfaction.
We invite you to take a look at the ABC page.
Use of ABC designation
Candidates who have successfully completed the accreditation process may use the designation "ABC" or "IABC Accredited" on letterheads and business cards. Accreditation is for individuals only; the designation may not be used in a way that implies that a company, organization, publication or other communication effort is accredited.
Retention of accreditation
Successful candidates retain their accreditation as long as they retain their IABC membership or, as non-members, continue to pay the annual maintenance fee of US$400. Retired members also retain accreditation as long as they keep their retired membership status.
If you become unemployed and are unable to maintain IABC membership or the maintenance fee, you may continue to use the designation "ABC" or "IABC Accredited" while seeking employment. You will not be listed as an active accredited member by IABC world headquarters, but you may specify to prospective employers that you were accredited.
Your accreditation certificate may be used as proof of accreditation. If IABC membership or payment of the maintenance fee is renewed within two years, you will automatically be returned to the active accredited member file. Otherwise, accreditation will be reinstated only through application to the Accreditation Council.
Revocation of accreditation
Your accreditation may be revoked for making false statements on your application or portfolio, or if it has been proven that you cheated on either the written or oral examination. In all revocation proceedings, a formal hearing will be conducted by the Accreditation Council to review the charges and the communicator's rebuttal or defense. Notice of such a hearing will be provided to the communicator in writing at least 60 days before the scheduled hearing date and will include the specifics of the complaint.
The Portfolio
How to prepare your portfolio
Each portfolio consists of two projects. Each project must have:
- A Statement of Objectives and Results (the work plan)
- At least one work sample.
There is nothing mysterious about the qualification process or portfolio evaluation. The evaluators are simply attempting to measure what you've done and how you brought a strategic approach to the project you are submitting for review.
Your Statement of Objectives and Results is the most important element in the evaluation of your portfolio.
Be sure to follow the outline under Statements of Objectives and Results when you prepare your statements.
Be concise but provide adequate detail, keeping in mind that your material is confidential and that the evaluators need the appropriate context in which to review your portfolio.
In your statements of objectives and results, make clear your role in the project. If you supervise or direct the work of others, be specific as to your involvement.
Submitting your portfolio
Your portfolio may be submitted in one of three ways:
1) In a binder sent by mail to IABC headquarters
2) Via e-mail
3) On CDs sent by mail to IABC headquarters
provided that the required criteria are met. Please click on one of the links above or see the details below for more information.
Once you have successfully completed the accreditation process, we may ask to include your portfolio in the IABC Communication Bank to be used to aid other communicators going through the accreditation program or for accreditation workshops. Therefore, do not send irreplaceable materials; if necessary, send photocopies. Portfolio materials and samples will not be returned. If the materials are confidential and should not be used by other communicators for study, indicate this clearly on your portfolio and it will be disposed of in a confidential manner.
Sending your portfolio in a binder to IABC headquarters
Each Statement of Objectives and Results must be typewritten following the outline, on one side of the paper, and bound into a three-ring notebook or other standard-size binder. Both the first page of the statement and the front cover of the binder should be clearly labeled with your name and the title of the project.
Most posters and oversize brochures or publications are admissible provided they are not too unwieldy. Take photos of large displays or other bulky items, and send clear eight- by ten-inch color or black-and-white prints showing how the project was used. Include various angles to highlight all pertinent aspects of your project. The evaluators will not penalize you for loss of technical quality in such cases.
Include any documentation on how the sample was used or received, such as letters, press clippings or survey results. One representative copy of each is sufficient. You may then note that it appeared in 50 newspapers, for example, or that you received 300 such letters. Include this material in the folio binder. Press clippings and other similar material should be photocopied on standard-sized paper; where necessary, photo-reduce clippings.
When possible, slide presentations, film strips or other visual material should be converted to one-half inch VHS cassettes or copied to a CD. Where this is not feasible, number the slides and place them in plastic sleeves. Don't forget to send the script. Do not send slide or carousel trays.
Send your portfolio to IABC's world headquarters, attn: Accreditation, One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA. We will confirm your status as a candidate. Please use a shipping method that can be traced and delivery confirmed.
Sending your portfolio via e-mail
You may send your entire portfolio including work samples via e-mail rather than submitting a paper version. If you choose this option, the size of all the files must not be greater than 5MB. Portfolio contents that exceed 5MB will not be considered and may not be received by our e-mail system. You must submit a table of contents with your electronic portfolio.
You must include a content list in a file clearly marked “PORTFOLIO CONTENTS.” The list should include:
- Your name
- The project title
as well as
- The name and a brief description of every file you have included. The file names should clearly indicate which are the Statement of Objectives and Results (the work plans) and which are the work samples.
E-mail your portfolio contents to
. We will confirm your status as a candidate. If you have not received confirmation that your e-mail has been received within three business days, please call to inquire at +1 415.544.4721.
Sending your portfolio on a CD to IABC Headquarters
You may send your entire portfolio including work samples on CD rather than submitting a paper version. If you choose this option, you must include a content list in a file clearly marked “PORTFOLIO CONTENTS.” The list should include:
- Your name
- The project title
as well as
- The name and a brief description of every file you have included. The file names should clearly indicate which are the Statement of Objectives and Results (the work plans) and which are the work samples.
You must send three (3) copies of the CD or CDs containing the portfolio.
Slide presentations, film strips or other visual material should be converted to suitable formats (JPEG, MPEG, .mov, .avi, .swf or .wmv) for inclusion on your presentation CD, or a second CD if the file is too large for a single CD.
Send your portfolio to IABC world headquarters, attn: Accreditation, One Hallidie Plaza, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94102, USA. We will confirm your status as a candidate. Please use a shipping method that can be traced and delivery confirmed.
Using a Gold Quill for one portfolio sample
Gold Quill winners who apply for accreditation within one year of winning their awards are eligible to submit just one portfolio work sample instead of the required two. The candidate will then have one year from the date of the application approval notification to submit one portfolio work sample. Please note, this is only applicable to the listed winner / lead communicator on the Gold Quill winning project and is non-transferable.
The Gold Quill winning entry will count as the other sample and does not need to be sent. Instead, please include a cover letter with your other sample, indicating the title of your Gold Quill entry and the category in which it received an award. The Gold Quill sample will be scored as an automatic pass.
After the one-year period to apply for accreditation has lapsed, Gold Quill winners are still welcome to apply and submit winning entries as half of their accreditation portfolio. However, the actual sample must be submitted to the portfolio evaluators and will no longer receive an automatic pass but will be evaluated again by the accreditation portfolio graders. If you choose to do this instead, please review your entry to make certain it meets all of the accreditation requirements.
Accreditation candidate portfolio checklist
Your portfolio will include two projects with detailed Statements of Objectives and work samples; Gold Quill winners submit only one project.
Use this form to “pre-test” your portfolio before submission. The questions below are identical to those used by portfolio evaluators who will be grading each section (Identifying, Developing, etc.) of your portfolio on a 0 to 7 scale:
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A totally inappropriate response. |
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POOR: Performance well below that expected of an average beginner in organizational communication; a generally inadequate response to the question |
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Much less than satisfactory performance. |
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Somewhat less than satisfactory performance. |
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SATISFACTORY: Performance expected of a good, competent communicator; a
fully adequate response to the question asked. |
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Somewhat more than satisfactory performance. |
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Much more than satisfactory performance. |
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OUTSTANDING: Performance worthy of a leader in the field: an extraordinary and insightful response to the question. |
Part I: Statement of Objectives
Background
- Briefly describe your organization
- What your company/client does
- Relevant history
- Location, size, number of employees
- Earnings/assets
- Communications budget
- … and any other info that will help the graders evaluate your work within the context of the organization.
- Where the communication function fits
- Number of employees, annual budget
- Any overall communication objectives
- Where you fit within the communication function at the time the project occurred
Identifying the problem/opportunity
- Problem/opportunity clearly stated?
- Target audience well defined?
- Research/other input demonstrates your understanding of audience and company/client?
- Objectives well defined and measurable?
Developing the solution/plan
- Does solution adequately address audience needs?
- Communications medium/media appropriate to audience?
- Budget, timeline for execution and related factors considered?
- Project clearly outlined before execution?
Selling the solution/plan to management/client
You may not have had to actually sell the project. If this is the case, explain your role in directing the project.
- Approach is thorough and professional?
- Research/feedback is pertinent and effective? (if research wasn’t conducted, acknowledge its importance and give a reasonable explanation for its absence)
- Candidate successful in directing management’s thoughts?
Implementing the solution/plan
- Work executed logically and professionally?
- If the original plan wasn’t followed, explanation for any change (media, budget, timeline, etc.) adequate?
- Focus on objective(s) or message(s) remains clear?
- Implementation method(s) will communicate favorably?
Evaluating the solution/plan
- Candidate employed formal or informal measures?
- Reflective measures indicate how well objectives were met?
- Candidate clearly indicates the project was/was not successful?
- If necessary, suggested project revision adequate?
Overall evaluation
- Candidate clearly demonstrates consideration of the five steps outlined in the previous sections?
- Statement of objectives shows clear, logical thinking process?
- Statement of objectives is a sound blueprint upon which to build an effective project?
Part II: Work Samples
In evaluating the samples, graders look for a balance between form and content. Some samples may contain only form or content – a photo essay or news release, for example. If this occurs, they will evaluate only in those terms.
- Sample follows objectives in terms of form and content?
- Sample demonstrates quality and professionalism?
- Sample appropriate for audience?
- Sample clearly communicates desired message?
Final Steps
- Have you had your portfolio checked over by an ABC mentor or chapter ABC Liaison?
Revised 12/06
Sample Statements of Objectives and Results
Your Statement of Objectives and Results: The work plan
You must submit one detailed Statement of Objectives and Results for each set of work samples in your portfolio. The Statement of Objectives and Results represents two-thirds of your portfolio score and needs to be as complete as possible. Remember that your portfolio goes to volunteers who read them, not weigh them. Each Statement of Objectives and Results should contain the following information:
1. Describe your organization and the communication function.
This is where you briefly describe your organization's business or function, history, location, size, number of employees, annual budget. Include any other directly relevant information that will help the portfolio evaluators judge your work sample in context.
Also, briefly describe the communication function in your organization, including overall objective, history, number of employees, annual budget and your role in the organization when the project was executed.
2. Identify the problem or opportunity.
Describe the problem or opportunity the project addressed. This includes the need or opportunity your project (or program) addressed, as well as target audiences in terms of size, location, opinions and other characteristics.
3. Developing the solution or plan.
How did you approach the problem? Why and how was the plan developed? Describe the project's objectives (which must be both time-bound and measurable) and how these objectives directly supported the overall objectives of your organization. Outline the budget and time schedule for producing the sample. Did you set these objectives and constraints, or were they imposed by other persons or outside circumstances?
4. Selling the plan to management or the client.
Describe your overall approach in dealing with management and how you sold the plan to them. If the plan was brought to you or your communication organization by management, describe in detail how you worked with them to structure the project or to sell necessary changes to the original plan. This may include telling evaluators how you took management’s original plan, which wasn’t quite up to standard, and expanded it to maximize resources.
5. Implementing the plan.
Describe in detail how the work was carried out. What was your role in the project? What were the time and budget limitations? Did any problems arise? Did the plan, objectives, time schedule or budget change? If so, why? How were these changes incorporated into the process?
6. Evaluate the plan.
How did you evaluate the effectiveness of the project and how well the messages were communicated? Does your evaluation directly reflect the original objectives established? If so, how? If not, why? What did the evaluation show? Cite formal and informal evaluation and any indications that the effort was effective in meeting its objectives.
Include your own evaluation of the sample, knowing what you know now. Were your objectives appropriate? Was the budget adequate? Was the timing correct? Was the audience targeted correctly? Was the choice of media right? What would you do differently, and why?
7. Other information
Feel free to provide any additional information that evaluators should know about the sample in order to judge it fairly.
Your work samples
Your work samples are tangible evidence of your knowledge of organizational communication. They account for one-third of your portfolio score and will be judged by how well they meet professional standards. At least one work sample must accompany each Statement of Objectives and Results.
In evaluating the samples, graders look for a balance between form and content. Some samples may contain only form or content—a photo essay or news release, for example. If this occurs, they will be evaluated only in those terms.
- Does the sample follow the objectives in terms of form and content?
- Does the sample demonstrate quality and professionalism?
- Are the work samples appropriate for audiences?
- Do the work samples clearly communicate the desired messages?
Examination
How the exams work
All materials necessary for taking the exams are supplied. You may bring your own PC or laptop. You may not bring any resource materials such as dictionaries, textbooks or notes. Legible handwritten exams, while discouraged, are permissible.
You must surrender all computer disks and clear the memory of the machine at the end of the examination. All printing must be done following the allotted time for the exam.
Four hours and 30 minutes are allotted for the two exams—four hours for the written exam and 30 minutes for the oral exam. Copies of your completed written exam, identified only by a pre-assigned number, will be sent to three or more evaluators. (Evaluators who suspect they may know a candidate's identity will disqualify themselves.) The evaluators will judge your answers individually and forward their scores to IABC headquarters for compilations and final review.
Oral exams are routinely audiotaped or videotaped and are usually evaluated by those who conduct the exam. However, if the on-site oral evaluators know you and would prefer not to judge your presentation, the recording of your oral exam will be judged by a separate team of evaluators.
Once you are scheduled to take the exam at a specified time and place, you must do so. Absence without prior notice and a legitimate excuse is considered an automatic failure. You may submit a written appeal to the Accreditation Council.
If you fail any portion of the accreditation exam, you will be contacted by a member of the Accreditation Council who will discuss the results with you and provide you with a detailed written evaluation of your performance to aid you in strengthening areas of weakness. If you failed a section of the written or oral exam, you may become accredited by retaking and passing that portion. If you failed all sections, of course, you'll have to retake and pass all sections.
You may retake the exam at the next available date. All re-exams require a re-examination fee and must be completed within one year of the original exam.
You may appeal a negative decision by submitting a written request for reconsideration to IABC within 30 days of notification. The Accreditation Council, which is responsible for management of the accreditation program, will review your file and reach a final decision on your appeal, usually within 60 days. Only one appeal is permitted.
Please direct all correspondence regarding accreditation or the examinations to IABC world headquarters for referral to the appropriate accreditation officials. All details pertaining to your request for accreditation and your performance on the examinations will be kept confidential by everyone involved in the accreditation process. Your accreditation records will be kept in locked files at IABC world headquarters, and no information will be released without your prior written consent.
Scheduling your exams
You may schedule your exams after your portfolio has received a passing score. If you schedule your exams prior to receiving notification that your portfolio has been approved, you do so at your own risk. You can take the exams at your local chapter or at an IABC conference. If you do not live within a reasonable distance of a qualified ABC proctor, you may take the exam at a local university or other qualified institution.
If you are a member of an IABC chapter, your chapter’s ABC Liaison can help you set up an exam date. Find your chapter’s liaison on the ABC Liaison list.
Exams are offered at the International Conference in June and Leadership Institute in February. Many of the regional conferences offer exams as well. Please consult the exam schedule.
Exams can also be offered by special arrangement in your area.
Please contact
:
- If your chapter does not currently have an ABC Liaison.
- To inquire about upcoming exam dates.
- To request that an exam be arranged in your area.
Tips for taking the written exam
- Read the questions carefully and make sure you fully understand what's required. Don't answer questions that aren't asked.
- Number your answers in the same manner as the questions.
- Don't try to out-guess the exam; there are no trick questions.
- Answer realistically; the evaluators are looking for real-world answers. Draw on your experience.
- Work within the suggested time guidelines. They are there for a reason.
- Quickly read the exam questions before beginning to write.
- Consider starting by answering all the questions you're most comfortable with; you'll gain confidence and you'll probably remember points that will be useful on later questions. CAUTION: If you choose to answer questions in a random order, mark them clearly or cross off the questions as you answer them. Be sure you go back and answer those you've skipped. Regardless of the order you choose, all final answers must be consecutively numbered and match the appropriate question.
- Pay close attention to what is needed. If you're asked for an essay answer, provide one. If you're asked for five items, provide exactly five. If you’re asked to choose only one option, choose only ONE.
- You may want to sketch your answer out on scrap paper; it could save you time in the long run and help to organize your thoughts.
- The evaluators don't award points for what they think you might know; they give points only for what you actually put on paper, so write it all down.
- Answer every question. A zero hurts your chances of getting a passing score on that section of the exam.
- Don't get too wrapped up in textbook answers. Answer using your practical experience and hard-won knowledge.
- Occasional spelling errors, problem punctuation, unorthodox grammar or typing mistakes won't count against you unless they are so prevalent that your answers are confusing or lead the judges to think you don't know any better.
- Leave enough time to check your answers. Look for assumptions that you haven't adequately explained. Put yourself in the place of the evaluator when re-reading.
- Take the sample written exam.
Tips for taking the oral exam
The oral examination gives you an opportunity to study the contents of a hypothetical communicator's in-basket and then present your analysis of the sensitive communication crisis it contains. Even though time is short, you will be expected to offer suggestions for solving or otherwise dealing with the problem presented. The evaluators will also ask you questions about your analysis or your proposed solutions.
The oral exam is based on an emergency situation that a professional communicator might face on short notice, perhaps without extensive familiarity with the issues involved. In such a situation, you would have to analyze the problem, prepare an action plan and clearly present your recommendations to management in a short period of time.
- Study the given situation carefully and be sure you understand it fully.
- As with the written exam, there are no trick questions.
- Remember that your oral presentation is an explanation to evaluators, not a sales pitch to management.
- Relax. The format is informal and the evaluators will do their best to make sure you're comfortable and at ease.
- Speak clearly and convincingly. This will make a good impression on the evaluators.
- Don't ramble. As in real life, time is short. Present your case, make your points and stop.
- Take the sample oral exam posted on this web site to prepare you for the process used for the oral exam. If your mentor is unable to work with you, tape yourself.
Sample exams and evaluation guidelines
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