BCI to Provide Growing Business Continuity Management Profession Access to Exams and Training Worldwide

The Business Continuity Institute (BCI), a leader in setting and validating standards of professional competence and ethics in business continuity management, today announced its first certificate examination and e-learning program for business continuity professionals at the 17th Annual World Conference on Disaster Management in Toronto, Canada.

Based on its Good Practice Guidelines, the BCI Certificate examination is part of a rigorous process for business continuity professionals who wish to acquire one of three BCI credential grades – Associate, Specialist and Member. The first exam is set for October 2007 and additional exam dates will occur quarterly.

In addition, BCI is introducing an e-learning program for business continuity professionals in August. The e-learning program will be available in chapters based on the six elements of the Good Practice Guidelines, developed by BCI and which incorporate the British Standard BS25999.

“As the business continuity management profession continues to grow in the international arena, it became apparent to BCI that continuing scored assessment as a method of certification would no longer be feasible,” said Lorraine Darke, BCI’s Membership Director. “The decision was made to introduce an examination for the BCI Certificate, recognizing a professional’s ability to carry out business continuity management to an internationally recognized standard.”

“In addition to the BCI Certificate we are launching e-learning courses – the first training courses developed and offered by the BCI – which are designed to support busy business continuity professionals worldwide by enabling them to expand their knowledge as conveniently as possible and assist them in their careers,” Darke said.

Two different pass rates are set for the BCI Certificate exam: a lower rate requirement for less experienced practitioners seeking Associate BCI membership (ABCI), and a higher rate for those wishing to become a Specialist BCI (SBCI) or a Member BCI (MBCI). In addition to passing the examination, all applicants for the more senior SBCI and MBCI grades will still need to provide evidence of practical experience within business continuity management via the BCI scored assessment methodology. Following are the new requirements for the BCI credentials:

Associate of the Business Continuity Institute (ABCI)

Applicants for Associate membership will continue to need at least six months experience in business continuity management and will need to pass the BCI Certificate at the lower ABCI pass rate. Applications based on scored assessment alone will continue to be accepted until December 31, 2007. After that date, it will be compulsory to hold the BCI Certificate.

Specialist Member of the Business Continuity Institute (SBCI)

Applicants for Specialist membership will continue to need at least two years full-time experience in specialist aspects of business continuity management or a related profession. They will need to pass the BCI Certificate at the higher pass rate and, if successful, will need to provide further documentary evidence of their specialist skills and/or certification from another relevant specialist awarding body. Applications based on scored assessment alone will continue to be accepted until March 31, 2008.

Member of the Business Continuity Institute (MBCI)

Applicants for the Member BCI credential must be working business continuity practitioners with at least two years full-time experience across the majority of business continuity management disciplines. They will need to pass the BCI Certificate at the higher pass rate. All applicants for MBCI will continue to be assessed to ensure they have sufficient experience and understanding of the practical application of business continuity management. Applications based on scored assessment alone will continue to be accepted until March 31, 2008.

Existing BCI members will not be required to sit for an examination to maintain their membership or their status. However, should they wish to upgrade their membership in the future, the relevant qualifications will be required.