John J. Harris sat as the inaugural chairman in 1977, and in the following year, the Committee of Certification was created.

As of , 125 Diplomates are listed as being certified examiners working in private, federal, state and local government laboratories.

Requirements to apply

An applicant to the ABFDE for certification must meet the following requirements:

1. must be of good moral character, high integrity and good repute; and possess high ethical and professional standing
2. must be a permanent residents of the USA, Canada or Mexico
3. must possess a bachelor
   Bachelor
   A bachelor is a man above the age of majority who has never been married . Unlike his female counterpart, the spinster, a bachelor may have had children...
   
   degree (or higher) from an accredited academic institution, or equivalent
4. must have successfully completed a full-time training program that meets the requirements listed in the current ASTM E-2388 Standard Guide for Minimum Training Requirements for Forensic Document Examiners
5. must comply with requirements of ASTM 444 Scope of Work of Forensic Document Examiners
6. must provide three references from FDEs certified or recognized by the Board
7. must be actively engaged in the full-time practise of forensic document examination and
8. must demonstrate a record of appropriate professional activity in forensic document examination

In addition to meeting the basic requirements listed above, an applicant must also pass comprehensive written, practical and oral examinations that test the wide range of problems encountered in document examination.

Ongoing requirements for certification

Certificates issued by the ABFDE are valid for five years, and can be renewed. During that five-year renewal period, the Diplomate must be actively engaged in forensic document examination work either as an examiner, as a supervisor of other forensic document examiners or as a trainer of forensic document examiners. Additionally, the Diplomate applying for recertification must earn at least 40 continuing education credits to demonstrate that s/he has maintained currency in the profession. Credits are awarded for a variety of related activities, such as attendance and participation at ABFDE approved forensic meeting and programs, and publication of articles in journals approved by the Board.

External links

• Official ABFDE Website