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American Board of Forensic Anthropology

Multilevel Certification Program

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The ABFA recognizes that individuals practice forensic anthropology with varying education, training, and experience. Accordingly, the new Multilevel Certification Program provides a feasible and equitable system to certify practitioners who possess the requisite qualifications and competencies at two distinct levels: Analyst and Diplomate. The ABFA has defined competencies (Multilevel Certification Competencies) for each certification with the intent that practitioners must be certified as an Analyst prior to pursuing Diplomate certification. While the ABFA is not a governmental licensing body, it encourages individuals to focus their scope of practice on the skills and abilities for which they are certified. Certification will be granted based on a review of the candidate’s education, training, experience, moral character, and passing of a formal examination designed to test specific knowledge, skills, and abilities. ​

Implementation Timeline

The ABFA has begun implementing the multi-level certification program beginning with the 2025 application cycle. The traditional ABFA Diplomate Exam will no longer be offered, and the first application cycle for the Analyst Exam is complete. In 2026, the exams will transition to the new format. The ABFA will only offer the Analyst Exam for the 2026 examination cycle. The first application cycle for Diplomate Certification will occur in 2027, with the first Diplomate Exam to be held in early 2028. Applicants must pass the Analyst Exam prior to applying to sit for the Diplomate Exam.  A breakdown of the Multilevel Certification timeline is provided in bulleted and table format below. 

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​2025

  • February 1 - June 30: Accepting applications for the 2026 Analyst Exam (A-ABFA)

  • Note: No Diplomate (D-ABFA) applications accepted during this time due to new format.

  • Summer/Fall: Administer 2025 traditional Diplomate Practical and Written Examinations

 

Note: This is the last D-ABFA exam in current format; deferrals and examinees failing one/both parts will need to submit a new application to sit for the Analyst Exam. The ABFA Board of Directors has approved an expedited Analyst Application process to allow these individuals to apply to sit for the 2026 Analyst Exam even though the official application period has already closed. In this scenario, the individual submits a formal petition to the Board requesting the use of their previously accepted D-ABFA Application towards their Analyst Application; if granted, they will be able to sit for the 2026 Analyst Exam. These individuals may also petition to waive the Analyst Application fee, but they will be required to pay the Analyst Exam fee. The expedited Analyst Application is due by December 1, 2025.

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  • November: How to Apply Sessions—Analyst/Diplomate—New exam format information

  • December 1: Deadline for submitting an Expedited Analyst Application for the 2026 Analyst Exam (option is ONLY for those that deferred or failed the 2025 D-ABFA exam, or have an approved petition from the ABFA Board of Directors).

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​2026

  • May 1: Online Analyst Application Form request opens (2027 Analyst Exam)

  • July 1: Analyst Application waivers due (2027 Analyst Exam)

  • August 1: Begin accepting Analyst Application Reference Forms (2027 Analyst Exam)

  • August: 2026 Analyst Exam Administered

 

Note: Anyone who fails the 2026 A-ABFA Exam will be held to the PPM rules regarding examination re-takes. For individuals who fail one or both portions of the 2025 D-ABFA Exam, the 2026 A-ABFA Exam will be considered the one allowed re-take.

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  • September 1-30: Accepting applications for the 2027 Analyst Exam (A-ABFA)

       Note: No Diplomate (D-ABFA) applications will be accepted during this time due to new format.

  • November 1: Online Diplomate Applications Form request opens (2028 Diplomate Exam)

  • November: How to Apply Session​​

 

​2027

  • January 1: Diplomate Exam Application waivers due (2028 Diplomate Exam)

  • February 1: Begin accepting Diplomate Application Reference Forms (2028 Diplomate Exam)

  • March 1-31: Accepting Applications for the 2028 Diplomate Exam (D-ABFA)

  • May 1: Online Analyst Application Form request opens (2028 Analyst exam)

  • July 1: Analyst Application waivers due (2028 Analyst Exam)

  • August 1: Begin accepting Analyst Application Reference Forms (2028 Analyst Exam)

  • August: 2027 Analyst Exam administered

  • September 1-30: Accepting applications for the 2028 Analyst Exam (A-ABFA)

  • November 1: Online Diplomate Application Form request opens (for 2029 Diplomate Exam)

  • November: How to Apply Session

 

​2028

  • January 1: Diplomate Exam Application waivers due (2029 Diplomate Exam)

  • January: 2028 Diplomate Exam administered

  • February 1: Begin accepting Diplomate Application Reference Forms (2029 Diplomate Exam)

  • March 1-31: Accepting Applications for the 2029 Diplomate Exam (D-ABFA)

  • May 1: Online Analyst Application Form request opens (2029 Analyst exam)

  • July 1: Analyst Application waivers due (2029 Analyst Exam)

  • August 1: Begin accepting Analyst Application Reference Forms (2029 Analyst Exam)

  • August: 2028 Analyst Exam administered

  • September 1-30: Accepting applications for the 2029 Analyst Exam (A-ABFA)

  • November 1: Online Diplomate Application Form request opens (for 2030 Diplomate Exam)

  • November: How to Apply Session

Exam Format

 The ABFA multilevel certification program consists of two sequential levels: Analyst (A-ABFA) and Diplomate (D-ABFA). The Analyst certification examination evaluates laboratory skills and fundamental knowledge. One in-person A-ABFA examination will be administered annually. The A-ABFA Exam will test the listed Analyst Competencies and will include, but will not be limited to, the evaluation and measurement of specimens. Diplomate certification builds on Analyst competencies and evaluates advanced knowledge, synthesis, and interpretation. One remote D-ABFA Exam will be administered annually using examination software. While the Analyst Exam will be in-person and the Diplomate Exam will be electronic, both exams will have what may be considered practical and written components. The Multilevel Certification Competencies provide detailed information of the knowledge, skills, and abilities assessed by the examinations.

Application and Examination Information

Detailed information regarding the application and examination procedures for each certification level can be found using the following links:

Analyst (A-ABFA) Certification 

Diplomate (D-ABFA) Certification

Multilevel Certification FAQs

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Once the Multi-level Certification is fully implemented, can an individual with a PhD apply to take both the Analyst and Diplomate exams in the same year?

  • No. Analyst level certification is required for the Diplomate level application. The Diplomate level application, if submitted in the same calendar year as the Analyst level application, would be rejected because the applicant would lack one of the credentials (Analyst Certification). Applicants can, however, submit a Diplomate Application immediately following their passing of the Analyst Exam.

 

I earned my degree from a non-U.S.-accredited or foreign institution and need to submit a degree waiver.  What documentation do I need to provide?

  • In addition to the waiver form, the applicants must provide an evaluation from a current member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE).  If the report of degree equivalency was not recently obtained, applicants should ensure that the organization providing the report is still a member of NACES or AICE. Any questions about application or waiver requirements can be directed to applications@theabfaorg.

 

Who can be a verifier for the Training Log for my Analyst application?

  • Verifiers are verifying that the applicant has experience conducting each skill independently and correctly, and thus must have expertise in the associated area(s) for which they are providing verification (i.e., anthropological skills should be verified by anthropologists).  Ideally, verifiers should be board-certified; however, that is not a specific requirement at this time.

 

Can I use the Training Log that I downloaded last year and have started filling out to submit with my application in the 2026 cycle?

  • Yes, the previous iteration of the Training Log form will be accepted during the 2026 Analyst Application Cycle. Again, please remember that Verifiers should have expertise in the skill for which they are verifying that the Applicant has experience conducting independently and correctly. If you have not started filling out this form, please download the current version from the website: https://www.theabfa.org/analyst

 

Will I need to reapply if I take and fail the exam?

  • Examinees for both the Analyst and Diplomate Exams will be allowed one re-take and one deferral. In the event of a re-take, the Examinee must re-pay the exam fee, but not the application fee. 

 

Will Analyst Exam re-takes and deferrals affect the number of applications accepted for the following year?

  • Currently, the ABFA plans to accept up to 40 complete Analyst applications, which allows for up to 20 new examinees each for a morning and afternoon exam. This leaves room to accommodate any re-takes and deferrals from the previous year. During this transition to multilevel certification, all application and examination processes will be re-evaluated annually, and any changes to application and seating capacities will be found here: https://www.theabfa.org/analyst

 

What does the recertification process look like for Analysts and Diplomates?

  • Both certification levels will be required to recertify every 5 years, and will involve reporting on case involvement, professional development, and service. The recertification requirements for the Analyst Certification are being finalized. Here is an example of the Diplomate recertification form.

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