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ABOHN has the following categories of certification: Active; Reciprocity; Retired; Inactive; Closed. Once achieving certification, occupational health nurse will be clearly designated into one of these categories. Active (A)--is defined as an occupational health nurse who has achieved certification as a COHN, COHN-S, COHN/CM or COHN-S/CM, has successfully completed recertification as scheduled, and has maintained the payment of appropriate fees. Those in Active status receive mailings and are listed in the Directory. Those who achieve certification by reciprocity are considered to be in the “Active” status. An individual who holds a specialty certification in addition to their base credential (i.e., COHN/CM or COHN-S/CM) may let the specialty certification lapse and still maintain the base credential as “Active”. However, if the base credential is not maintained in “Active” status, both are cancelled. Reciprocity (A) -- is defined as an international outreach with other occupational health nursing certification programs. After examining the eligibility requirements and program elements of the Canadian occupational health nursing certification program administered through the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA), ABOHN believes that their program is essentially equivalent to the program administered by ABOHN. Nurses certified through CNA as Certified Occupational Health Nurses COHN-(c) may apply to be recognized through ABOHN by reciprocity. These applicants do not have to sit for the ABOHN certification examination. Retired (R)--is defined as an occupational health nurse who has been in “Active” status in the past but has then elected to be retired. The type of Retired designation (COHN or COHN-S) is determined by the credential held at the time of retirement. Payment of an annual or a one-time fee is required to achieve and maintain “Retired” status. Retired individuals continue to receive all mailings from ABOHN and are listed in the Directory as “Retired”. Returning from “Retired” to “Active” or “Inactive” status requires retaking the examination and submission of all fees and documentation applicable at the time of reapplication. Inactive (I)--is defined as an occupational health nurse who is temporarily not able to meet the requirements for recertification, but does not wish to forfeit the credential. Upon payment of a special “inactive” fee and approval by the professional staff of ABOHN, individuals may be granted increments of one year up to a maximum of three years in which to satisfy the requirements for recertification. Upon recertification, the individual must pay the regular fee for the current five-year certification period and provide documentation necessary for re-certification. Requirements for recertification shall be those in effect at the time of reinstatement. If recertification occurs within the three year maximum time allowed for “Inactive” status, the OHN is not required to take the examination to regain “Active” status. During the “Inactive” period, the credential may not be used. Once reinstated to “Active” status, the certified OHN may resume use of the credential and recertification will occur on the previously established 5-year cycle. If recertification does not occur by the end of three years, the individual will be placed in the “Closed” status. Closed (X)--is defined as an occupational health nurse who has been in “Active” status in the past but has failed to either successfully complete scheduled recertification, pay appropriate maintenance fees or apply for “Inactive” status. Those individuals in the “Closed” category are not listed in the Directory and do not receive mailings from the ABOHN office.
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