The ABFA is currently finalizing specific details of the new Diplomate Applications and Examination, including application procedures. The following information is being provided for reference and will be updated as needed. 
 

Under the new multilevel certification program, Diplomate Applications will not be accepted in 2025 (only Analyst Applications), given that one of the pre-requisites to a Diplomate Application is the Analyst Certification. Please see the Analyst Certification page for details about that certification. Diplomate Applications will be accepted beginning July 1, 2026 until December 1, 2026.
 

The ABFA Diplomate Application will require the following items:

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1. An Application Form, completed, signed, and notarized, indicating current involvement in the field. Download the Diplomate Application Form here.
 

2. Proof of citizenship or permanent residency (e.g., copy of government issued photo ID). Per the PPM, Applicants must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, Canada, or their possessions/territories, or have been granted a residency waiver by the ABFA Board of Directors. Applicants must submit a Waiver Request Form directly to the Applications Chair(s) (see current Board of Directors contact information). The ABFA Board of Directors reserves the right to request additional information. Download the Waiver Request Form here.
 

3. Transcripts demonstrating that a Ph.D. was conferred in Anthropology, or a related field, with an emphasis in biological or forensic anthropology prior to the application deadline. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable, but the Board reserves the right to request official transcripts. The degree must be from an accredited U.S. institution. Degrees not in Anthropology or from non-accredited or foreign institutions must have been granted a waiver by the ABFA Board of Directors. For degrees from non-accredited or foreign institutions, the applicants must provide an evaluation from a member organization of one of the two national associations of credential evaluation services: National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). The applicant is responsible for costs associated with a NACES or AICE evaluation. Applicants must submit a Waiver Request Form directly to the Applications Chair(s) (see current Board of Directors contact information). The ABFA Board of Directors reserves the right to request additional information. Download the Waiver Request Form here.
 

4. A copy of your current/valid ABFA-issued certificate of Analyst Certification or Recertification. 
 

5. A Case Log providing an accounting of casework experience since applying for Analyst Certification. Download the Diplomate Case Log here.
 

6. Two Diplomate Reference Forms, at least one of which must be from an active D-ABFA who has reviewed the applicant’s casework and can attest to the applicant’s experience, work product, and character. All abilities listed on the form should be addressed between the two referees (i.e., if one referee marks an item “N/A,” the other referee should be able to speak to this item). The referees may be from the same institution. The Reference Form is available on the ABFA website. Applicants should download the form and fill out the top section prior to sending to the Referees. The Referees will submit the completed form directly to the Applications Chair(s) (see current Board of Directors contact information). Download the Diplomate Application Reference Form here.
 

Application Fee: $200, due within 2 weeks of receipt of invoice. An invoice will be sent after the application deadline.

 

Diplomate Application Review
 

The Application Committee will conduct a holistic review of each Applicant’s materials using a review rubric (download Diplomate Application Evaluation Rubric here). See SOP 4.1 Applications for procedural details.  Application decisions require a majority vote from the Board of Directors. The decision of the Board of Directors is final.

Diplomate (D-ABFA) Examination
 

To become certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, approved applicants must pass a remote (online) examination. The exam will take several hours and will have the following components:

• Redesigned exam will assess advanced knowledge of methods, theory, and application

• Competency-based assessment with varying question formats (e.g., multiple choice & short answer questions)

• Questions based on mock case scenarios with contextual information (e.g., background information, images, bench notes, and/or analytical output) will assess the ability to synthesize information and interpret findings

• Exam content focuses on synthesis and interpretation, for example: 

  • Develop a biological profile by interpreting and synthesizing the output of various methods and analyses

  • Interpret trauma, pathology, or postmortem interval from descriptions and/or high-quality images

Additional details about the Diplomate examination will be provided as approved by the Board of Directors.

Examination Fee: $200

Annual Dues: $250/year

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