Certification : Overview
 ABVE has set forth the following formalized standard for identifying persons for board certification as Vocational Experts.
The person must:
A) Hold a Master's or Doctorate degree from an accredited institution in human service field specializing in vocational rehabilitation, psychology, vocational counseling, etc.;
B) Have specific training and experience in such areas as assessment, functional capacity measures, psychological testing and measurement, job analysis, job placement, job surveys, and have experience providing testimony in these areas;
C) Display knowledge and expertise within a submitted forensic work product; and,
D) Attain a passing score on the ABVE examination.
FELLOW status requires three years of documented experience in assessment of vocational capacity and vocational expert forensics in addition to the requirements listed above.
DIPLOMATE status requires seven years of documented experience in the area of assessment of vocational capacity and vocational expert opinion and demonstration of distinguished performance or recognition as a vocational expert, in addition to the above requirements. This might include the following: published works; leadership position in a professional organization; presentation of papers at professional organization; presentation of papers at professional seminars; and/or sitting on study groups or legislative committees to enhance the professionalism of an organization.
* Note: All work-product submitted for review shall have names of parties and other significant individuals redacted.
* Note: Completed applications for certification must be received by January 26, 2009 in order to be eligible to sit for the National Certification Test on March 26, 2009.
ABVE Credentialing Process Flow
Applicant’s Work Product: Ratable factors
V. Work Product Criteria
The redacted work product submitted for review must demonstrate knowledge in the preparation of vocational expert opinions regarding vocational functioning relevant to: the vocational assessment process, the analysis of medical records, the determination of functional capacities, the analysis of earning capacity, labor market analysis or earnings benchmarks, pre-and post-injury vocational capacities, return to work options and methodology used. Work product submitted for review shall be suitable for presentation in a forensic setting.
Section V, Criteria A – F .
Criteria A: Analysis of medical records to determine pre-injury and post-injury functional capacities & probable return to work time frames.
Criteria B: Analysis of work history to determine work traits, skills sets and earning capacities.
Criteria C: Use of and interpretation of labor market information to determine appropriate post-injury work and employability probabilities to maximize post-injury earning capacity.
Criteria D: Administration and/or interpretation of the appraisal instruments of assessment used inclusive of: vocational, psychological, neuropsychological, aptitude, personality, intellectual, and other speciality assessments, as these apply to the injured party’s employability pre-and post-injury.
Criteria E: Projections of probable pre-injury and post injury earning capacities and wage loss analysis including references used to support foundational information or data.
Criteria F: Opinion statement(s) – This includes references to methodologies employed and, the synthesis and interpretation of the gathered information into one or more concise and defensible opinion statement(s). Emphasis is placed upon consistent and logical approaches to support one’s conclusions and opinions (i.e., being mindful of references, federal and state court decisions such as Daubert, Kumho Tire, and other related state court decisions and applicable case law).
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