CIC Exam - Certified in Infection Control
About CIC Certification
The Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) exam, administered by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC), is a professional certification designed for individuals working in infection prevention and control. This certification validates a professional’s expertise in identifying infectious disease processes, surveillance, epidemiology strategies to prevent and control infections. Earning the CIC® credential demonstrates a commitment to maintaining the highest standards in infection prevention and control, including developing and enforcing effective policies, conducting outbreak investigations, and collaborating with healthcare teams to ensure safety and compliance. Obtaining the CIC® credential signifies dedication to public health and patient safety while promoting professional growth in infection control.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Description | A comprehensive certification exam for professionals in infection prevention and control. |
Credentials Earned | Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) |
Eligibility Requirements | At least 1 year full-time, 2 years part-time, or 3,000 hours of infection prevention work in the past 3 years, covering core activities like surveillance, disease identification, and prevention, plus 2 additional components such as occupational health or management. |
Completion Time | Typically 3 hours, with an additional 30 minutes for pre-and post-exam tutorials. |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | 8 main domains: Identification of Infectious Disease Processes, Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation, Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents, Employee/Occupational Health, Management and Communication, Education and Research, Environment of Care, Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis. |
Number of Questions | 150 multiple-choice questions, with 135 scored and 15 unscored pretest questions. |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test |
Exam Proctoring | Exam can be taken via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) or at a Prometric testing center. |
Recertification Details | Required every 5 years; achieved through 40 IPUs via portfolio or by passing the recertification exam. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Pass rates vary annually, averaging at around 69%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard |
Study Material | BoardCerts CIC® Exam Prep |
BoardCerts CIC Question Bank
BoardCerts offers a complete question bank specifically crafted to support your success on the Certified in Infection Control (CIC®) exam. With BoardCerts practice questions and three predictor exams, our content is fully aligned with the official CIC® exam content outline. Every question is meticulously reviewed by physicians and CIC-certified nurses to ensure accuracy and relevance. Our question bank reflects the complexity of the exam and includes detailed explanations and rationales to deepen your knowledge and boost your confidence.
CIC Exam Content Outline
The CIC® exam is structured into eight main domains: Identification of Infectious Disease Processes (22 questions): Focuses on understanding and interpreting infectious disease data; Surveillance and Epidemiologic Investigation (24 questions): Involves designing, analyzing, and managing infection surveillance systems; Preventing/Controlling the Transmission of Infectious Agents (25 questions): Addresses infection prevention strategies and antimicrobial stewardship; Employee/Occupational Health (11 questions): Covers healthcare worker immunizations and managing exposure risks; Management and Communication (13 questions): Includes developing infection control programs and effective stakeholder communication; Education and Research (11 questions): Focuses on infection prevention education and applying research findings to practice; Environment of Care (14 questions): Examines infection risks in healthcare environments and mitigation strategies; Cleaning, Sterilization, Disinfection, Asepsis (15 questions): Covers best practices for sterilization and asepsis in healthcare settings.
For more detailed blueprint outline, please review the CIC exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
CIC Exam Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the CIC® exam, candidates must have completed at least one year of full-time employment, two years of part-time employment, or 3,000 hours of infection prevention work experience within the last three years. This experience must include core activities such as infectious disease identification, surveillance, transmission prevention, and environmental infection control, along with at least two additional components like occupational health, management, or research. These requirements ensure candidates have substantial hands-on experience in infection prevention before pursuing certification.
CIC Application Process
Online Application: Visit the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) website to access the online application portal.
Application Submission: Complete the application by providing the required personal, educational, and professional details. After submission, CBIC will review your eligibility based on the provided information.
Scheduling the Exam: Once approved, you’ll receive instructions to schedule your exam. Testing is available at Prometric testing centers or via live remote proctoring, offering flexibility in how and where you take the exam.
Preparation: The BoardCerts CIC® Question Bank is specifically designed to help you prepare effectively for the CIC® exam. Aligned with the official content outline, our question bank mirrors the difficulty and structure of the actual test. While additional preparation resources are listed in the candidate handbook, our question bank consolidates essential topics, making it a comprehensive and convenient study tool. We continually update our content to reflect the latest CIC® exam standards and blueprint, ensuring your preparation stays current.
CIC Exam Dates and Costs
The CIC® exam is offered year-round, allowing candidates to take the test at their convenience. Once your application is approved, you have a 90-day window to schedule and complete the exam.
For the most up-to-date information on CIC® exam timelines, application processes, and fees, visit the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) website at cbic.org.
CIC Exam Format
Number of Questions: The CIC® exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, with the candidate's score based on 135 scored questions. The remaining 15 are unscored "pretest" questions used for evaluating potential items for future exams.
Exam Response Options: Multiple-choice with four response opinions (A, B, C, D).
Testing Options: Available at PSI testing centers or via live remote proctoring.
Time Allotted: The total exam time is 3.5 hours, including three hours for the exam and an additional 15 minutes each for the tutorial and post-exam survey.
Passing Score for CIC
Difficulty Level: The CIC® exam is considered a challenging certification test, with an annual pass rate that varies from year to year. In the recent years, the pass rate was around 69%, highlighting the rigorous standards and comprehensive content covered by the exam. The BoardCerts CIC® Question Bank is meticulously aligned with the exam blueprint and includes expertly reviewed questions to help you confidently prepare for this demanding certification.
Passing Score: To pass the CIC® exam, candidates must achieve a scaled score of at least 700 on a scale ranging from 300 to 900. Scaled scores are calculated by converting the number of correct answers into a standardized score, ensuring fairness across different exam versions. Passing candidates will see a "Pass" message, while failing candidates will receive a scaled score between 300 and 699. No numerical score is provided to passing candidates, and details about specific questions or answers are not disclosed, following professional accreditation best practices.
Exam Statistics: The CIC® exam pass rate changes annually. In 2023, 1,869 candidates took the exam, with a pass rate of around 69%.
Score Reporting: Candidates taking the CIC® exam will see a "pass" or "fail" notification on-screen immediately after completing the exam at a Prometric testing center or via remote proctoring. A detailed score report is emailed within an hour of completion.
CIC Exam Proctoring
The CIC® exam is administered by the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) in partnership with Prometric. Exams can be taken through live remote proctoring. Alternatively, if you prefer an in-person experience, PSI operates a vast network of test centers across the United States
Live Remote Proctoring: Candidates have the option to take the CIC® exam through Live Remote Proctoring. This allows you to complete the exam from your chosen location, such as home or office, while being monitored in real-time by a professional proctor through your computer’s webcam and microphone.
CIC Preparation and Resources
At BoardCerts, we align our CIC® Question Bank closely with the official exam blueprint to ensure that our practice questions are accurate, relevant, and reflective of the content covered on the test. Our questions are developed using the same references that validate the official exam content, providing a reliable and thorough preparation experience. This strategic approach ensures that our resources give you the confidence and knowledge needed to excel on the CIC® exam.
- Topics on Exam: Review the topics outlined in the CIC® exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources.
- Review Course: Consider taking a review course, such as those offered by Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology(CBIC), to deepen your understanding of the exam content.
- Question Bank: A comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts CIC® Question Bank is highly recommended. Designed to align with the exam blueprint, it features questions reviewed by CIC®-certified nurses and physicians. Our question bank includes three predictor exams to help assess your readiness and strengthen your preparation for success.
CIC Certification Renewal
The CIC® certification is valid for five years. Recertification ensures professionals stay up-to-date with the latest practices, guidelines, and knowledge essential for effective infection prevention and control. Candidates can recertify either by retaking the proctored initial CIC® exam or by submitting a professional portfolio with 40 approved IPUs.
Recertification by Examination:
- Pass a 150-question, internet-based recertification exam designed to assess current knowledge in infection prevention and control.
- Questions are based on the most recent CBIC practice analysis, similar to the initial exam.
- The exam is open-book, untimed, and can be completed by logging in and out as needed within the recertification year.
Recertification by Professional Portfolio:
- Submit a portfolio with at least 40 approved Infection Prevention Units (IPUs) relevant to the exam domains.
- IPUs can be logged as soon as you are CIC® certified and must be completed by October 31 of your recertification year.
For the latest information and detailed requirements, visit the CBIC website.
CIC Practice Questions
Practicing sample questions is an essential step in preparing for the CIC® exam, helping you familiarize yourself with the exam format, question style, and core content areas. The BoardCerts CIC® Question Bank provides high-quality, exam-aligned sample questions designed to reflect the blueprint and challenge level of the CIC® exam, ensuring you are fully prepared and confident on test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Explore sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are carefully crafted to mirror the complexity and application level of the CIC® exam.
- Interactive Practice: Practice questions in our interactive quiz software here for an engaging and effective study experience. The detailed feedback at the end of each practice session to help you track your progress and identify areas for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
