Accredited Investigative Genetic Genealogists (AIGGs) are required to complete reaccreditation every two years. Reaccreditation consists of three components: continuing education and professional activity, payment of the reaccreditation fee, and ongoing membership in the professional association.
Reaccreditation timeframes
The reaccreditation window opens on the first of the month following the two-year anniversary of the date the AIGG was originally accredited and remains open for three calendar months. For example, if an AIGG was accredited on April 15, 2025, their reaccreditation window will open on May 1, 2027, and close on July 31, 2027.
If the AIGG does not complete reaccreditation within this window, their AIGG status will be suspended. This means they will be removed from the registry of AIGGs and will no longer be allowed to use the AIGG mark. During the suspension period they are still bound by the Professional Standards and Code of the Professional Ethics.
There is a grace period of three calendar months from the moment of suspension of the AIGG status. If the AIGG reaccredits within this period, their AIGG status will be reinstated.
If an AIGG fails to successfully complete reaccreditation within the grace period, their AIGG status lapses. Once lapsed, in order to reinstate their AIGG status, they must retake the accreditation exam and complete all requirements of new AIGGs.
If the AIGG does not complete reaccreditation within this window, their AIGG status will be suspended. This means they will be removed from the registry of AIGGs and will no longer be allowed to use the AIGG mark. During the suspension period they are still bound by the Professional Standards and Code of the Professional Ethics.
There is a grace period of three calendar months from the moment of suspension of the AIGG status. If the AIGG reaccredits within this period, their AIGG status will be reinstated.
If an AIGG fails to successfully complete reaccreditation within the grace period, their AIGG status lapses. Once lapsed, in order to reinstate their AIGG status, they must retake the accreditation exam and complete all requirements of new AIGGs.
Reaccreditation requirements
Continuing education and professional activity
To become reaccredited, AIGGs are required to demonstrate continuing education by earning 50 Continuing Education Points (CEP) every two years. All CEPs must relate to the Core Competencies of IGG. CEPs do not carry over. Each two-year reaccreditation period must contain new CEP activity adding up to 50 points. Please reference the chart below for specific activities and their corresponding CEP values.
More details will be shared about the process for AIGGs to complete and submit their reaccreditation activities later in 2025.
To become reaccredited, AIGGs are required to demonstrate continuing education by earning 50 Continuing Education Points (CEP) every two years. All CEPs must relate to the Core Competencies of IGG. CEPs do not carry over. Each two-year reaccreditation period must contain new CEP activity adding up to 50 points. Please reference the chart below for specific activities and their corresponding CEP values.
More details will be shared about the process for AIGGs to complete and submit their reaccreditation activities later in 2025.
*For example, watching a 4-hour video or reading an article for three hours counts as 1 CEP.
†Calculated in 15-minutes intervals (for example, presenting a 45-minute talk earns 6 CEPs) ‡The combined CEPs from these two categories are capped at 30 CEPs. |
Reaccreditation fee
The reaccreditation fee is $200, payable at the time of reaccreditation. The continuing education and professional activity forms will not be processed until the reaccreditation fee has been paid.
The reaccreditation fee is $200, payable at the time of reaccreditation. The continuing education and professional activity forms will not be processed until the reaccreditation fee has been paid.
Professional organization membership
The Investigative Genetic Genealogy Association (IGGA) is a professional organization, representing the IGG community. More information will be available after their public launch later this year. On-going membership is required for AIGG as a condition of reaccreditation.
The Investigative Genetic Genealogy Association (IGGA) is a professional organization, representing the IGG community. More information will be available after their public launch later this year. On-going membership is required for AIGG as a condition of reaccreditation.
Failure to complete reaccreditation
If an AIGG fails to complete the required CEPs, they still have time to obtain the missing CEP, as long as the reaccreditation window is open.
If an AIGG is still unable to complete their reaccreditation process within the specified reaccreditation window, their AIGG status will be suspended for the grace period of 3 calendar months. If they fail to complete reaccreditation within this grace period their AIGG status will be revoked. If in the future they wish to regain their status, they will be required to take the accreditation exam and fulfill all requirements of a new AIGG..
Throughout the year, a random number of AIGGs will have their CEP reports audited. During the audit, an AIGG may be asked to present additional evidence of CEP (e.g., documentation of a conference presentation, letter from an agency attesting to substantive work on IGG cases, etc.).
If an AIGG is still unable to complete their reaccreditation process within the specified reaccreditation window, their AIGG status will be suspended for the grace period of 3 calendar months. If they fail to complete reaccreditation within this grace period their AIGG status will be revoked. If in the future they wish to regain their status, they will be required to take the accreditation exam and fulfill all requirements of a new AIGG..
Throughout the year, a random number of AIGGs will have their CEP reports audited. During the audit, an AIGG may be asked to present additional evidence of CEP (e.g., documentation of a conference presentation, letter from an agency attesting to substantive work on IGG cases, etc.).
Modifications
The field of IGG is evolving rapidly. If, in the future, it changes to the extent that the original exam or the existing reaccreditation requirements no longer adequately assess the essential skills and knowledge or commitment to continuing education, IGGAB reserves the right to adjust the reaccreditation requirements. Any such modifications would be communicated at least 12 calendar months in advance of the changes going into effect to allow ample time for compliance.
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