IABC Accreditation FAQ
How do I become accredited?
The accreditation process involves three separate steps. You must successfully complete each step before you can proceed to the next:
- Application
- Qualification (the portfolio)
- Examination (written and oral)
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 each of the four elements of the oral and written examination.
Application
Complete the application and send it along with your résumé for approval. The full accreditation fee is due with the application.
Qualification: The portfolio
You must send a portfolio of two work samples with work plans to demonstrate the range of communication projects or programs you’ve been responsible for and your ability to plan and work strategically. Candidates must receive a passing score of 4.0 or better (using a 0–7 scale) on their portfolio to qualify to take the examination.
Examination
The examination tests your knowledge of communication and management skills. The exam includes a 4-hour written test and a 30-minute oral test. Candidates must
achieve an overall average of 4.0 or better (using a 0–7 scale) for each of the four elements of the oral and written examination.
Candidates meeting all requirements of the program earn the designation Accredited Business Communicator (ABC).
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What skills are needed for the accreditation process?
Most ABCs have accumulated their professional knowledge and skills through a combination of education and experience. Because of this, there are no required study materials, although some review may be helpful, particularly if a lot of time has passed since you’ve taken an exam. A sample written and oral exam is available to help you prepare for the process of examination.
Accreditation covers a variety of skills required of a strategic communicator. Some skills considered essential for all communicators are included on every examination. These are:
- Goal-setting
- Audience/constituent research
- Writing communication plans
- Budgeting and cost control
- Oral presentation
- Project management
- Time management
- Measuring effectiveness
- Writing proposals for communication programs
- General management skills
- Written communication
- Managing employee communication programs
- Media relations
- Communication ethics
- Problem-solving and consulting skills
- Organizational culture and politics
- Investor/shareholder communication
- Technology
Other skills are more job-specific and are optional. Many questions in the exam have a number of options, allowing you to answer the one that best reflects your experience and knowledge. Skills covered in these optional questions include:
- Writing news and features
- Newsletter editing
- Magazine editing
- Writing for audiovisual and video programs
- Speakers bureaus
- Event and conference planning/support
- Writing speeches
- Managing publications
- Marketing communication
- Member communication
- Managing community relations programs
- Feedback systems
- Technology use
You will not be expected to know the technical aspects of areas normally outside of the professional responsibilities of a communication generalist (e.g., statistical considerations of validity in survey samples or the color characteristics of flexographic inks).
Accreditation workshops are offered by a number of IABC chapters, and an increasing number of chapters are now offering Accreditation Completion Programs. You are encouraged to attend a workshop or go through an Accreditation Completion Program. If you would like more information on how to help your chapter develop workshops or completion programs, please contact
.
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How long does it take to approve my application?
Approximately four to eight working days.
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What are the portfolio deadlines?
Portfolio deadlines in the accreditation calendar are as follows:
- 1 April
Portfolio deadline for those who applied and were accepted to the program between July and January.
- 1 September
Portfolio deadline for those who applied and were accepted to the program between February and June.
These windows of acceptance allow a minimum of two months’ lead time for portfolio completion. You may send your portfolio before these deadlines, but it will not be graded until the assigned date. Learn more about the portfolio submission process.
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Can I request an extension to my portfolio deadline?
If you are unable to meet your original portfolio deadline, you may request an extension to the next portfolio deadline using an extension request form. Note: Should you be approved for an extension and then not be able to send your portfolio by the new deadline, you will need to reapply and repay the accreditation fee to continue pursuing your accreditation. Candidates are limited to one extension. All extension requests must be filed before the deadline has passed.
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How should I send my portfolio?
IABC's goal is to have all portfolios sent electronically. Electronic submissions speed up the grading process while saving supplies and postage.
Submit your entire portfolio, including work samples, via the following link. http://accreditation.iabc.com/
Use your member ID and password to log in one you have navigated to the uploading page. You will be required to submit your work plan in one PDF and any work samples as separate files. If you are uploading multiple large files we recommend that you upload them in small batches of 2-3 files at a time.
Requirements for file types:
- PDF – no Microsoft Office files allowed
- JPEG, PNG, GIF images
- MP3 audio – maximum bitrate of 128 kbps stereo for music; 64 kbps mono for voice
- MP4, M4V or FLV video
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How long does it take to approve my portfolio?
Approximately 8–10 weeks.
Note: Due to the volunteer nature of our grading process, delays in grading may occur due to volunteers experiencing conflicts (e.g., illness, increased workloads, etc.) that are unexpected when original deadlines are set.
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How long does it take to receive results from the oral and written exams?
Approximately 60–90 days.
Note: Due to the volunteer nature of our grading process, delays in grading may occur due to volunteers experiencing conflicts (e.g., illness, increased workloads, etc.) that are unexpected when original deadlines are set.
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Who reviews the portfolios and grades the exams?
All reviewers and graders are volunteer accredited senior level communicators with a broad base of experience.
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Are there fees for re-take exams?
Yes. Candidates' first re-take exam is free. Each subsequent re-take exam costs US$100.
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What do you receive when you earn your ABC?
Earning IABC accreditation is a significant achievement. You will receive:
- A Certificate, signed by the IABC president and current Accreditation Committee chair
- An ABC lapel pin
- Feedback from graders on your examinations
- An ABC logo for personal use
- Public relations resources (e.g., customizable press release)
and, perhaps most important,
- Peer recognition
- Personal satisfaction
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