The ACHI Histocompatibility Laboratory Director Examination serves as a pathway to meet the board certification requirement for individuals pursuing Director-level certification.
Examination Application Date & Fee This examination is offered once annually in September and is designed to assess the comprehensive knowledge and leadership competencies necessary for directing a histocompatibility and immunogenetics laboratory.
Dates for the 2026 application cycle are as follows: Examination Dates: September 1 to 30, 2026 Application Start: June 1, 2026 Application End: July 1, 2026
Certification Period & Maintenance Upon passing the exam, your certification will be valid for three years. To maintain an active certification status, you must:
Pay $250 annual maintenance fees
Submit continuing education credits (CECs) by the end of your three-year certification cycle.
ACHI-approved courses award Certified Education Credits (CECs), which are specifically recognized for recertification. Review the "ACHI Approved Course Categories" document on the Resources page to learn more about how to earn CECs.
Annual Maintenance Fees Annual maintenance fees are due by December 31 each year and must be submitted through LearningBuilder, ACHI’s online certification management platform. For more information and step-by-step instructions on using LearningBuilder, please visit the Resources page.
Continuing Education (CE) Requirements To be eligible for recertification at the end of your three-year cycle, you must complete ACHI-approved continuing education activities and submit documentation by December 31 of your recertifying year.
Required CE Credits (every 3 years)
15.0 CECs (equivalent to 100 contact hours)
CEC Documentation To receive credit for continuing education activities, certificants must submit appropriate supporting documentation through LearningBuilder. Acceptable forms of documentation include:
Certificates of completion that clearly state the activity title, date, duration, and the name of the issuing organization.
Official transcripts from accredited academic institutions.
Letters of participation on the sponsoring organization's official letterhead, signed by an authorized representative.
Conference attendance records or registration confirmations with session details.
Agendas or program materials accompanied by verification of attendance.
All documentation must clearly indicate the number of contact hours completed and be submitted no later than December 31 of your recertifying year.
Certification Expiration To maintain your active certification status, both continuing education documentation and annual maintenance fees must be submitted by December 31 of your recertifying year.
Failure to meet this deadline will result in the expiration of your certification. Once certification has expired, individuals must:
reapply
retake the certification examination
complete all requirements of the initial certification process
We strongly encourage all certificants to plan ahead to ensure timely submission to avoid any interruption in certification.
Laboratory Director Credentials
ASSOCIATE When an individual passes the ACHI Laboratory Director examination, they become an Associate of the ACHI. This individual can NOT yet direct an ASHI-accredited laboratory. This individual will be issued a certificate of board certification.
Credentials after name: S(ACHI)
AFFILIATE a) When an individual has an MD license current in the US (with appropriate board certification) and passes the portfolio process and oral competency assessment, they become an Affiliate of the American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics. This individual can direct an ASHI-accredited laboratory and will be issued a letter & certificate of approval. b) When an individual has another HHS approved board certification (other than the ACHI Laboratory Director certification) or international directors approved without board certification and passes the portfolio process, and oral competency assessment they become an Affiliate of the American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics. Credentials after name: A(ACHI)
FELLOW When an individual passes the ACHI Laboratory Director exam, portfolio process, and oral competency assessment they become a Fellow of the American College of Histocompatibility & Immunogenetics. This individual can direct an ASHI-accredited laboratory and will be issued a letter & certificate of approval.