Abstract
In 2009, the toxicology community has seen 2 notable events related to certification in toxicology—one of celebration and one of sadness. This year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the founding of the American Board of Toxicology (ABT). For those that attended the annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology (SOT), accolades were given to the founding members of the ABT, and to all members of ABT that “sweated” studying for and becoming certified in general toxicology. The second event that occurred just recently was the passing of Dr Millie Christian. In addition to her major and time-honored contributions to the field of toxicology, Millie was one of the founding members of the Academy of Toxicological Sciences (ATS). With her foresight and contributions to ATS, the Academy has and continues to grow as a financially solid and well-recognized organization that recognizes the contributions of senior toxicologists.
The purpose of this “editorial” is to briefly discuss the process for certification in ABT, ATS, becoming a European Registered Toxicologist (ERT) and a Diplomate, Japanese Society of Toxicology (DJST). More importantly, however, the authors wanted to add our perspectives on the benefits of certifications to the registered and certified toxicologists, to the employers of those toxicologists, and to the international toxicology community. Clearly, there are benefits that each author has experienced, but also there are those benefits that have been discussed with the authors over the years. Therefore, it seems likely that the benefits may be real, or imagined, by each certified toxicologist depending on whom one talks to. What about the risks? Is there a risk of becoming certified or registered? Again in this brief discussion, the authors hope to achieve a balanced perspective of those risks, as we believe they are minimal at best, and those risks more likely represent a personal, rather than a professional, risk.
The American Board of Toxicology was incorporated in Washington, DC in 1979 and currently touts about 2500 certified toxicologists. The objectives of the ABT are to encourage the study and science of toxicology, to stimulate advancement of the field of toxicology by establishing standards of practice, and finally to confer recognition upon members of the profession who demonstrate competence, the designation, Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology (DABT). Two authors of this paper (WJB, APAHW) have had the honor of serving on the Board of Directors for ABT. More than any other question, the Board receives numerous inquires about eligibility. This question arises more from the international community than from the US, as there is often some difficulty in comparing educational degrees gained overseas with those obtained in the US against which eligibility is assessed. For example a BSc or PhD gained in China or the UK may not be directly comparable with those gained in the US. The Board struggles with eligibility each year to ensure fairness to the candidate, but also fairness to the Diplomates who achieved certification. Once eligibility is established, the Board reviews the application to ensure the candidate is a practicing toxicologist. Although this may sound rather simplistic, the Board has and continues to receive numerous applications from those engaged in marketing of toxicological services, individuals engaged in quality assurance, or other fields peripheral to the study of toxicology. The demonstration of the “active practice of toxicology” is required and the acceptability of a candidate to “sit” for the examination also is dependent on the educational degree. The details of eligibility and the process for becoming a “Diplomate, American Board of Toxicology” are given at www.abtox.org.
Once initial certification has been achieved, there is a requirement for recertification every 5 years to demonstrate that the candidate is still in the practice of toxicology and is keeping up with developments in toxicology through the process of continuing professional development (CPD). For the ABT, this is provided by a combination of open book examination, submission of questions for the certification examination, and completion of an average of 20 verifiable hours of appropriate training each year with the provision that this should not be related to the routine job of the Diplomate. The open book examination is required for recertification for the first 2 recertification periods. After that time, the Diplomate must submit at least 2 acceptable questions, as well as continue to demonstrate the active practice of toxicology.
The Academy of Toxicological Sciences was established in 1981. Although ATS had struggled to some extent both financially and with name recognition, in the past few years, the financial position of the Academy has improved its position within the toxicology certification community. One author (WJB) continues to serve on the Board of Directors for ATS for the past few years and maintains an opinion that the Academy represents certification for the more senior toxicologists in our field. Certification by the Academy is based on a peer review of an applicant, and there are currently about 233 members of ATS (http://www.acadtoxsci.org). In the process of peer review, each candidate is evaluated against 3 criteria that consist of education and continuing education, publications and professional development, and, finally, demonstration of professional recognition. The ATS uses a peer-review point system for evaluating the candidate against these 3 criteria, and the candidate must achieve a minimum score in each category with a combined score of ≥70 points to achieve the title of “Fellow, Academy of Toxicological Sciences.” Those that have served as officers in toxicology professional organizations, eg, SOT and ACT, or have served on grant-reviewing boards or national and international toxicology committees often achieve acceptance into ATS. However, for those who work in government or industrial positions, publications and serving on professional toxicology committees satisfy the last category, but demonstration of professional recognition has been somewhat more difficult. The Board recognizes this and offers advice to toxicologists interested in achieving ATS status by encouraging candidates to participate in professional societies and professional committees. With increasing experience in toxicology, the natural next step to certification from ABT is recognition by ATS, because the toxicologist will become more involved in professional committees and, it is hoped, publishing research. Indeed, many of the founding members of ABT also are certified by ATS thereby indicating the natural progression from ABT to ATS.
Once initial certification has been achieved, there is a requirement for recertification every 5 years to demonstrate that the candidate is still in the practice of toxicology and is keeping up with developments in toxicology. For recertification, the Fellow must demonstrate continued study in the field of toxicology through publishing, through the process of continuing professional development (CPD), and through recognition in the field.
The situation in Europe is more diffuse than that in the US because of the presence of 27 independent countries in the European Union (EU), plus countries that are associated with the EU for reasons of trade, such as Norway and Switzerland. Registration of toxicologists in Europe is overseen by EUROTOX (http://www.eurotox.com/), which is the Federation of European Toxicologists and European Societies of Toxicology. This organization encompasses approximately 7000 members of national societies of toxicology and about 500 individual members from more than 50 countries. There are 2 stages to European registration (note that the term accreditation or certification is not used in Europe). First the candidate must register with 1 of 13 national registers and is then recognized by EUROTOX and awarded the designation European Registered Toxicologist (ERT). The European Register of Toxicology was established in 1994. One author (APAHW) has served as chair of the Registration Panel to the UK Register of Toxicologists.
The designation ERT is broadly equivalent to Diplomate status of the DABT. The requirements for eligibility for both are very similar, with the exception that there is no examination for ERT. For ERT, there is a requirement that 2 senior toxicologists from different organizations act as referees, giving extensive justification for inclusion of the candidate on the register of the national society. There is heavy responsibility on these referees in recommending a candidate for ERT status—to themselves, the candidate, and society. Although there is no examination associated with the process of registration in the EU, possession of professional qualifications in toxicology, such as the DABT, is very much encouraged.
The requirements for registration are summed up on the ERT section of the EUROTOX website and are described more fully by Fowler and Galli. 1 In brief, there are basic and theoretical training requirements, lasting a minimum of 3 years to achieve a degree, together with further advanced training in toxicology for an additional 2 years. The Web site also emphasizes the need for demonstration of communication skills, for instance, by authorship of manuscripts or reports. Having achieved ERT status, there is a requirement for re-registration every 5 years, dependent on demonstration of continuing professional development (CPD). The designation ERT, while given by EUROTOX, is dependent on prior registration with and nomination by 1 of 13 European national registers, for example, the UK Register of Toxicologists (www.toxreg.org.uk). By way of contrast with the US, the UK register requires that the candidate for re-registration should complete an average of 50 hours CPD a year, although the criteria for acceptable training are broader than in the US.
National registers are accepted into the ERT scheme based on acceptance by the national society and EUROTOX of its criteria for registration of toxicologists. It is pointed out on the EUROTOX Web site that acceptable registration schemes should “satisfy legislative, executive and judicial aspects.” There is some degree of central monitoring of these various aspects by EUROTOX. The national registers may be more specific in their requirements for registration. For example, in addition to the requirement outlined above, the UK register also requires an honors degree in a relevant science or DRCPath, a DABT or equivalent qualification such as the International Diploma of Toxicology (IDT), and demonstration that the applicant must be currently engaged in the practice of toxicology and be of good professional standing.
In Japan, the situation is broadly similar to that in the US or Europe. However, registration as a Diplomate of the Japanese Society of Toxicology (DJST) is open only to the members of that society. There are approximately 350 current Diplomates in JST, and the first examination was given in 1998. The requirements for DJST are broadly similar to those of the ABT and ERT. Eligibility for DJST is based on a point system. To be eligible for taking the certification examination, applicants must have over 3 consecutive years of memberships in JST, must demonstrate experience in the practice of toxicology for at least 5 years for any university graduate (6-year school course), 7 years for any university graduate (4-year school course) and corresponding years for any other graduates. Also the applicant must reach a total of 80 or more points in toxicology activities that consists of publishing in toxicology journals, attending national and international toxicology meetings, and participating in JST-sponsored educational courses. In contrast to other certifications and registrations, the president of JST can grant eligibility for admission to the examination even if an applicant does not reach the minimum number of points for eligibility.
Recertification is required every 5 years. Similar to certification, recertification also is based on a point system. To acquire recertification, the Diplomate must submit 5 suitable questions as well as continue to demonstrate the active practice in toxicology as outlined for certification. Finally, the Diplomate is required to pass an open-book examination. In the same way, the value of registration has been increasing in Japan in recent years with advantages such as increased salary and increased recognition of the value of registration. 2
What is the risk of becoming certified in toxicology? Certainly, the examination required to become a DABT or DJST is difficult and the experience required by ABT, ATS, and DJST eligibility and ERT status is extensive. Our professional societies, most notably the SOT, have initiated programs on mentorship for the younger toxicologists and students in a program that all toxicology organizations should embrace. Programs of continuing education that are suitable for accumulation of CPD credits are offered by societies such as SOT, the British Toxicology Society, and other toxicology societies. Overall, it seems that the risks for becoming certified are manageable and easily overcome, although clearly effort and commitment are required. The criteria for achieving and maintaining certification/registration are the same regardless of the seniority or experience of the candidate; it is a level playing field, and it is possible that failure may be associated with some loss of personal esteem. However, there is no downside to certification in terms of adverse effects on career or status. The only risks are those of failure or that certification may not be important to the employer. This is often outweighed by the personal satisfaction of success and the justification to look for more sympathetic employment.
If the risks are manageable, what are the benefits of certification? Does it result in greater pay or greater recognition? Although we would like to state that board certification and registrations lead to greater salary benefits, the data to support this supposition are rather limited such that a definitive conclusion cannot be made. 3 So, why do it? Certifications do lead to greater professional recognition among your peers. Also, a case is often made that, for those offering testimony in litigation, certification has become a key hallmark of one’s ability to offer expert opinions. In recent years, advertisements for toxicological positions have indicated “certification in toxicology preferred,” and in some cases this has become required. In some EU companies, achievement of ERT has been made a threshold for further career advancement. Also, there are certain regulatory environments where an assessment of safety, particularly in consumer product safety, must be undertaken by a certified toxicologist. 4 Possibly the greatest benefit of certification is in the recognition of continued study and maintenance of expertise. For each scheme of certification or registration, there continues to be a requirement for continuing education and study. For those who have not certified, some have commented to the authors that they saw no benefit to certification, although we believe that the continued study and learning of the field of toxicology remains the greatest benefit to certification and registration. The knowledge that continuing certification and registration are dependent on maintaining professional expertise should be a source of reassurance to the users of toxicologists (including the public), whether they are regulatory officers, consultants, or industrial toxicologists.
In summary, there are 4 main areas of benefit that result from a robust process of certification or registration for toxicologists. The most important of these is the reassurance that is given to society or to public bodies that the toxicological aspects of any report or assessment have been completed by some-one who has demonstrated competence in a rigorous public arena. The second is the benefit provided to employers or clients of toxicologists who have a standard measure of peer recognition against which to judge toxicologists as employees or potential employees; certification/registration labels the holder as a person of commitment and determination who is not afraid of working for a desirable objective. Third, there is worldwide recognition of the 4 schemes reviewed here, meaning that a toxicologist certified in the US can be trusted to be competent by people in the EU or Japan. Last, the candidate is the most immediate and personal beneficiary of certification through personal satisfaction and, if their employer is unimpressed, with the acknowledged ability to look for more senior employment.
All 4 schemes considered here are broadly similar and offer the same benefits: worldwide recognition of experience and expertise in toxicology. Registration, certification, accreditation – call it what you will – will become more important in the future and will have the effect of making toxicology a more overtly professional occupation that may, eventually and deservedly, be seen to be on par with lawyers, chartered engineers, or accountants. This can only be a good thing for toxicologists, employers, and society.
This issue’s Editor’s Note was compiled by Associate Editor, Dr William J. Brock.