Membership : 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.

E) Sign and adhere to the ABVE Code of Ethics.

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.

FELLOW status requires three years of documented experience in assessment of vocational capacity and vocational expert forensics in addition to the requirements listed above.

ACTIVE EMERITUS status is for members who are semi-retired and may still be engaged in some vocational analysis cases.  Members in the Active Emeritus category must adhere to the following criteria: a) Must have been a past active member of ABVE at the Diplomate level; b) Are not engaged in more than six (6) vocational analysis cases per year; c) Pay an annual membership fee equal to one half that of the Diplomate category; d) Maintain 14 CEU’s for each three year certification cycle; e) Retain one vote as a member of ABVE; and f) must adhere to all other requirements of membership in ABVE as determined by the current Code of Ethics and By Laws documents.

NEW - ABVE Professional Forensic Certification (ABVE/P)
Effective June 2011

Professional Forensic Certification (ABVE/P) is a vehicle to demonstrate minimum expert witness competence in forensic settings. ABVE Professional certification is designed to emphasize beginning and basic forensic and related analysis and procedural skills. ABVE Professional certification is available to individuals with at least a bachelor's level academic degree and significant technical expertise within a phase of vocational expert activity in addition to the requirements B, C, D and E above and attainment of a passing score on the Certification Exam (Professional Edition).

This certification is designed for individuals who: (a) provide vocational case management, job placement, return to work planning, workers compensation services (b) testify about job requirements, transferable skills analysis and labor market surveys; (c) provide vocational assessment/evaluation services; or (d) offer testimony about vocational case management including but not limited to life care planning. ABVE Professional does not qualify a person for higher level certification without first satisfying Fellow or Diplomate level requirements.

Non-Certification Membership Levels

ASSOCIATE membership is for individuals who do not otherwise qualify or choose not to seek the ABVE Certification process but who demonstrate a high interest in the mission of the American Board of Vocational Experts. Individuals may directly apply for Associate Membership to ABVE if they do not intend to become Board Certified as either Fellow or Diplomate levels but desire to be a part of the organization.

EMERITUS membership is for formerly certified individuals who are now fully retired.

STUDENT membership is to accord individuals attending graduate school, private training programs and other educational phases in the Human Service fields which specialize in vocational rehabilitation, psychology, vocational counseling, and other related fields. Members in this category receive the Student Rate at ABVE Conferences, a certificate of membership, the ABVE Newsletter and may serve on ABVE Committee.

Definition of Areas of Practice and Specialty/Services on ABVE Member Directory

Members listed in the online member directory may list Area(s) of Practice with the specialty/service being designated as numbers within the Area(s) of Practice. The Areas of Practice are listed below A through F along with the specialty/service.

Areas of Practice

A) Workers’ Compensation, 1-7
B) Personal Injury Litigation, 7-12
C) Marital Dissolution, 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, 12
D) Civil Rights, 3, 6, 7
- ADA
- Age Discrimination
E) Social Security, 2, 3, 6
F) Wrongful Death, 9, 10, 11
G) Other Areas of Practice (please list in the space provided below)

Specialty/Service
The following specialties and services are within the scope of one or more areas of practice shown above. A specialty or service is included in an area of practice if its number is included after that area of practice.

1. Case management
2. Labor market surveys
3. Vocational evaluation/TSA
4. Job placement
5. Rehabilitation planning
6. Job analysis/modification
7. Loss of earning capacity
8. Life care planning
9. Loss of household services
10. Hedonics/consortium
11. Economic analysis
12. Psychological counseling, assessment, treatment

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