Information for new ABC Liaisons
Wherever possible, ABC Liaisons should be accredited. While this can be difficult in some chapters, if the liaison is not accredited, he or she will not be able to proctor examinations. For confidentiality reasons, only Accredited Business Communicators (or, in rare instances, post-secondary institutions) may proctor examinations.
What does an ABC Liaison do?
An ABC Liaison is a regional or chapter contact who is a focal point for accreditation in the local area. He or she should conduct accreditation information sessions, consider the possibility of establishing and administering an Accreditation Completion Program, answer questions about accreditation and seek qualified candidates.
When portfolios are successfully completed and examinations are required, the ABC Liaison will arrange for the written and oral examinations to be conducted. This means:
- Finding a suitable space in which candidates can complete the written examination (with computer resources, preferably).
- Ensuring that one or more separate rooms are available for oral examinations.
- Arranging for examinations to be sent from IABC world headquarters in a timely fashion.
- Collecting the examinations at the end of the allotted time for return to world headquarters.
- Ensuring that copies of the candidates’ answers, as well as any notes and computer files, are sent to world headquarters according to the instructions provided the by the same.
- Celebrating the success of those who achieve their ABC.
More information about specific duties and tools can be found in the highly recommended Accreditation Guide for Chapter Liaisons
How to set up an accreditation exam
Prior to establishing a date for accreditation exams, you must first ensure that all candidates have successfully completed the portfolio stage, or will have completed the portfolio stage on the examination date. The International Accreditation Council will make every effort to assist you, but please note that if you establish examination dates before portfolios are successfully graded, you run the risk of not having candidates ready to take the examination.
In order to set up an accreditation exam in your area, after establishing dates that are suitable to candidates, please contact the Accreditation department at IABC World Headquarters at
or +1 415.544.4721. She will arrange to have examinations sent to you in a timely fashion and will provide you with a full set of proctor instructions.
You need to arrange to have at least two Accredited Business Communicators (ABCs) available to proctor the oral examination. Each examination takes between 45 minutes and one hour to complete. Therefore, if you have more than four candidates writing at one time, you will need at least two teams of proctors available to proctor oral examinations if you plan to be finished within a 4.5 hour time limit (four hours for written examination and 30 minutes for oral examination).
Oral examinations are recorded, so you will need at least one cassette tape recorder for each oral proctoring team (alternatively, videotape may be used). All materials must be returned to IABC world headquarters after completion of the exams.
Chapter- and community-based accreditation programs
The Accreditation Completion Program is a formal outline for completing the accreditation process at a chapter, regional or corporate level. It provides a curriculum for taking groups of candidates through the accreditation process over a period of about 12 months, from application to portfolio completion, and written and oral examinations.
A complete set of templates are available to help you start an Accreditation Completion Program.
The IABC Accreditation Partnership Program is an opportunity for which groups who apply at the same time may receive accreditation fee discounts. For more information, contact the Accreditation department at IABC world headquarters (
or +1 415.544.4721).
Other resources can be found in the Accreditation Guide for Chapter Liaisons.
Marketing Tools
ABC brochure (PDF)
Sample portfolios and exams
Sample Statements of Objectives and Results
Sample #1
Sample #2
Complete sets of portfolios (two Statements of Objectives and Results and two work samples), may be loaned to a chapter as examples. Contact IABC world headquarters for details.
Sample exams and evaluation guidelines
Sample written exam (allow two hours)
Evaluation guidelines
Sample oral exam (allow 30 minutes)
Evaluation guidelines
Accreditation Ambassadors
The Accreditation Council would like to recognize the following ABCs for their dedication to promoting the value of IABC Accreditation for business communicators within both IABC and the business community:
2007 Accreditation Ambassadors
- Brigette Armitage, ABC
- Cloreth Greene, ABC
- Dr. Amanda Hamilton-Attwell, ABC
- Eduarda Hodgins, ABC
- Joy Lovejoy, ABC
- Katherine George, ABC
- Kevin Snow, ABC
- Laurel English, ABC
- Linda Andross, ABC
- Linda Lee, ABC, MC
- Linda Taylor, ABC
- Linnea Maxwell, ABC
- Lisa Bednarski, ABC
- Liz Borowiec, ABC
- Lucy McDonald, ABC
- Michael Turney, Ph.D., ABC
- Pat Morden, ABC
- Pat Quolke, ABC
- Rhonda Collins, ABC
- Simon Covill, ABC
2006 Accreditation Ambassadors
- Allison MacKenzie, ABC
- Barb MacDonald, ABC
- Bish Mukherjee, ABC
- Brent Carey, ABC
- Camilla Stroud, ABC
- Coleen Gowen, ABC
- Crystal Thompson, ABC
- Cynthia Wrate, ABC
- Gloria Walker, ABC
- Jill Cope, ABC
- Jill Hilderman, ABC
- Joanne Kitsos, ABC
- Karen Utterback, ABC
- Kit Jenkins, ABC
- Kris Gallagher, ABC
- Les Potter, ABC
- Lorraine Smith, ABC
- Marcia White, ABC
- Maryellen Thielen, ABC
- Nance Harris, ABC
- Patricia Masterson, ABC
- Patricia Frey, ABC
- Sabita Singh, ABC
- Scott Cytron, ABC
- Sharon Wilks, ABC
- Susie McMichael, ABC
- Wendy Johnson, ABC
2005 Accreditation Ambassadors
- Catriona Byrne, ABC
- Christine Nyirjesy Bragale, ABC
- Claire Watson, ABC, APR
- Connie Eckard, ABC
- David Kistle, ABC
- Godfrey Huybregts, ABC
- Hal MacArthur, ABC
- Jacqui d'Eon, ABC
- Jennifer Wah, ABC
- John Clemons, ABC
- Karen Lee, ABC
- Karl Oestreich, ABC
- Lana Collins, ABC
- Mary Hills, ABC
- Mary Ann Kenney, ABC
- Maureen Healey, ABC
- Neville Hobson, ABC
- Priya Bates, ABC
- Rich Barger, ABC, APR
- Todd Hattori, ABC
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