The Academy’s HIV-focused professional certifications are the first and only credentials offered domestically and internationally to physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and pharmacists specializing in advanced level HIV care. The HIV Specialist™ (AAHIVS) credential is available to practicing frontline clinical providers, while the HIV Expert™ (AAHIVE) designation can be earned by non-practicing clinicians. The HIV Pharmacist™ (AAHIVP) certification is available to eligible HIV-specialized pharmacists.
HIV SPECIALIST (AAHIVS)
Physicians, physician assistants and nurse practitioners working in direct clinical care
HIV EXPERT (AAHIVE)
Physicians, physician assistants, nurse practitioners and pharmacists working in non-clinical environments
HIV PHARMACIST (AAHIVP)
Pharmacists working in HIV-specific care environments
JOURNEY TO ACADEMY CREDENTIALING
Looking for a roadmap of the credentialing process? Watch this short informational video to help chart your route to earning one of the Academy’s credentials.
ELIGIBILITY
Prior to taking the HIV Credentialing Exam, candidates must demonstrate their eligibility in three areas, Licensure, Experience and Education. Below is a summary of how candidates may meet the requirements for each area. Please refer to the HIV Specialist™, HIV Pharmacist™ or HIV Expert™ pages for more details about the requirements for each credential.
| Licensure | Experience | Education |
|---|---|---|
| Candidates must be licensed to practice as a physician, NP, PA or Pharmacist in their jurisdiction. | Candidates must meet at least one of the following: | Candidates must complete 45 hours of HIV- or HCV-related CE. CE must be either AMA Category 1 CME, ANCC accredited CNE or ACPE accredited CPE. |
THE VALUE OF CREDENTIALING
Since the inception of the Academy’s certification programs in 2002, thousands of HIV care providers have earned the HIV Specialist™ (AAHIVS) or HIV Expert™ (AAHIVE) designations. Starting in 2011, HIV-specialized pharmacists can also now earn the HIV Pharmacist™ (AAHIVP) designation via a similar certification process.
EXAM RESOURCES
The Academy’s measurement programs adhere to a “knowledge management” approach to testing, mirroring problem solving activities that would occur in the actual treatment of patients. Academy testing instruments are designed with this approach in mind; that skilled providers of all kinds often need to access technical resources when solving complex clinical situations.
Accordingly, examinees may use any printed or online resource available to prepare for and complete the exam, but examinees must certify that they have completed their exam independently. Violations of this policy can result in punitive actions, up to and including the revocation of an active or new credential, and/or permanent exclusion from the program.
HIV NEWS AND INFORMATION SOURCE
HIV.gov
AIDSinfo
Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents
HIV Drug Interactions
HIVInSite (UCSF)
HIV JAMA Network
Johns Hopkins AIDS Service
Medscape HIV/AIDS
The Body PRO
U.S. Public Health Service Guidelines
Community Research Initiative of New England
NAM aidsmap
Clinical Consultation Center
THE PETER M. FOX EXCELLENCE IN CREDENTIALING AWARD
The Peter M. Fox Excellence in Credentialing Award is presented annually to those HIV practices where all of the eligible practitioners currently hold an American Academy of HIV Medicine AAHIVS, AAHIVE or AAHIVP credential.
CODE OF ETHICS
The Academy Code of Ethics applies to all individuals Credentialed by the American Academy of HIV Medicine as an HIV Specialist™, HIV Expert™ or HIV Pharmacist™; all individuals seeking Academy Credentialing, all provider Members of the Academy, all providers seeking Academy Membership, and, as applicable, all “non-provider Academy Members”, hereinafter referred to collectively as “Academy Providers”. The Code is designed to provide appropriate ethical practice guidelines and enforceable standards of conduct.
