ABC Implementing Electronic Testing Beginning July 2025

The American Board of Criminalistics (ABC) has exciting news to share! Beginning July 1, 2025, we will be using electronic testing for our new/ISO-accredited examinations! This process will be much more convenient for our candidates. We have tested this process with our Forensic Science Assessment Test (FSAT) and with field testing of our new Seized Drug Analysis (SDA) examination and have received very positive feedback regarding the test taking experience. What does this mean for you? 

• Exams will no longer be offered at regional and national meetings; rather, potential candidates will have the convenience of less travel by taking the exam at their own laboratory or one in close proximity. Exams can be taken on your computer after downloading the appropriate software. 
• Electronic exams are secure using a Safe Browser application. 
• Proctors will still be required in-person to add additional security. 
• The requirement to act as a Proctor has been expanded to allow any current ABC certificant to take on that role for electronic testing. These new examinations will no longer be offered in paper.
• Exam outcomes (pass/fail) should be available sooner than paper.

The following exams will be converted to electronic testing as of July 1, 2025:

• Biological Screening
• Forensic DNA
• Foundational Knowledge

Seized Drug Analysis will be offered electronically once it is released from field testing later in 2025.

We hope that you are just as excited as we are about this new experience for test-taking; however, we understand that you may have questions.  Please do not hesitate to reach out to your Member Director, the ABC Registrar, or the President with any questions.  We will continuously monitor the testing experience to ensure that it is successful for all our candidates.  Please visit our website at criminalistics.com for more information on the electronic testing process as it becomes available.