ACTAR Update

The Governing Board of Directors (GBOD) for the Accreditation Commission for Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) held their annual meeting March 5-6 in Denver, Colorado. At the meeting a major policy change regarding the examination process was approved. The change will affect accreditation candidates taking the examination in the future. Effective May 1, 2011, only electronic devices “approved by ACTAR” will be permitted for use in the examination room. The effect of this decision is that beginning May 1, 2011, the use of laptop computers and many other electronic devices will not be permitted during the examination process. Development of a list of approved electronic devices is underway and will be available well in advance of the implementation date.

The fundamental basis for this decision is to eliminate the use of devices that are capable of recording or otherwise storing examination data or questions which compromises the integrity and confidentiality of the examination. A second, and perhaps more compelling reason is that the use of advanced collision reconstruction software, which has proliferated since the inception of ACTAR 20 years ago, has resulted in the failure of many exam candidates to demonstrate a fundamental knowledge of crash reconstruction concepts, particularly when addressing the definitive responses sought by the exam.

During the GBOD discussion that preceded this decision, several anecdotes and reviews of examinations were presented that underscored the two concerns expressed above. The decision will likely eliminate the use of all electronic devices that may employ accident reconstruction software such as smart phones, cell phones, PDAs, compact cameras and other wireless communication devices. If the device has a “qwerty” keyboard, it will most likely not be allowed.

After considering comments and concerns expressed by GBOD members and a review of rules and guidelines in place for other professional examinations - such as the SAT, ACT, the MCAT entrance exams and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying – the positive aspects of this decision far outweigh the negative. The decision positions the ACTAR examination on par with the procedures of similar professional examinations; helps to ensure that the examination is testing the fundamental knowledge of the candidate and not their skill in the use of computer software; and improves exam security by minimizing the opportunity to copy, store or transmit exam material.

No restrictions were placed on the use of printed reference material that candidates will still be able to use during the examination. Candidates who sit for the examination before May 1, 2011, will be under the current rules that allow the use of laptop computers with certain restrictions. ACTAR will be updating its documents and correspondences to convey this change and endeavor to assist candidates as this change is implemented.

With regard to candidate eligibility, all correspondences to candidates and ACTAR publications will remind candidates that once their application for accreditation has been approved, their eligibility period will extend for two years and/or three attempts (on each of the two portions) to successfully complete the exam. Candidates who fail to successfully complete the exam during their eligibility period must reapply to continue the process. ACTAR may provide guidance to candidates who are unsuccessful, but still wish to consider reapplying for accreditation.

The GBOD also moved to streamline the exam review and appeal process. The GBOD formally adopted an interim practice that has been employed for more than a year. The procedure provides that a candidate who fails an exam may receive a limited review of the exam. In such cases the candidate must notify the Administrator by phone or written correspondence (email or mail) within 60 days of receiving the notice that they failed the exam. The Administrator will then conduct a review by telephone of the failed questions by summarizing the errors or problem areas exhibited by the candidate. Questions will not be reviewed verbatim as the review is not intended to be a mentoring session, but provide the candidate with an understanding of concepts that may warrant additional study.

Additionally, only those failed questions for which the candidate “showed” work will be reviewed. Should the candidate fail to include any work (i.e., mathematical problem solving) on their exam, no review will be offered. This requirement was established since the absence of a candidate’s solution makes it nearly impossible to identify why the question was answered incorrectly.

If the candidate is not satisfied with the review, they may request an appeal through written correspondence (email or mail) to the Administrator. This appeal will then be addressed by members of the GBOD Crash Test Development Committee representing specific disciplines as may be necessary in considering the appeal.

The GBOD responded to the question regarding the awarding of CEU credit for successful completion of a duplicate course within the same five year accreditation cycle. The GBOD concluded that CEU credit will be granted in such cases where the subsequent (duplicate) course was completed more than two years after the first (for which CEU credit was awarded) unless the course material has substantially changed (updated) during the two year period. Courses of training that are updated should be reevaluated for CEU credit and will be assigned a new ACTAR designation even though the actual course title may remain unchanged.

Members of the GBOD recognized and welcomed Ricky Dixon of the South Carolina Highway Patrol, which became ACTAR’s 24th Participating Organization. The SCHP was voted in as a Participating Organization last October.

The GBOD held elections of executive officers who will serve for a two-year term. The executive officers include – Chair person, Robert Squire (MdATAI); Vice-Chair, Scott Skinner (OSP); and Secretary-Treasurer, Arnold Wheat (SOAR).

Throughout the year committees of the GBOD will be carrying out additional work. The entire GBOD will meet again March 5-6, 2011.

The Accreditation Commission for Traffic Accident Reconstruction (ACTAR) has been providing accreditation for motor vehicle collision reconstructionists for almost 20 years and is recognized throughout the U.S., Canada and many foreign countries.

ACTAR has accredited more than 1300 reconstructionists throughout the US, Canada and several other countries. To date more than 2100 reconstructionists have applied for accreditation. Interest has grown to the point that an ACTAR exam is presented on average once a month somewhere in the U.S.

MdATAI is one of 24 participating organizations currently comprising the ACTAR Governing Board of Directors. Of these organizations, six represent law enforcement agencies and two are educational institutions.

For the ACTAR administrative office, call, write or email -

PO Box 1493
North Platte, NE 69103-1493
(800) 809-3818

ACTAR's public contact person is Greg Vandenberg who can be reached at the address/phone above or by email at actaradmin@actar.org. ACTAR's public contact person is Greg Vandenberg who can be reached at the address/phone above or by email at actaradmin@actar.org.

Please contact MdATAI or any ACTAR board representative with any questions or concerns. Additional information is available from the ACTAR website at www.actar.org.

Reminders

Website

The ACTAR website (www.actar.org) is continually updated and is available to answer many questions regarding accreditation.  Visitors to the website can find information related to:

1. Exam dates
2. Accreditation renewal
3. “Frequently Asked Questions” concerning accreditation
4. CEU (Continuing Education Unit) information
5. Accreditation directory
6. State accident report overlays and code sheets
7. ACTAR merchandise (stuff for your office)

 

CEUs and Accreditation Renewal

Accreditation renewal is $120 plus applicable CEU fees.  The CEU fees remain unchanged at $1/CEU for ACTAR pre-approved CEUs and $3/CEU for training or courses not pre-approved by ACTAR.  This means is that the total renewal fee is $200 for an individual who attained their 80 CEUs through the attendance of courses or conferences that obtained ACTAR CEU pre-approval. 

What is ACTAR CEU pre-approval?  Any organization or entity presenting a conference or training on subject matter related to collision investigation or reconstruction can submit an outline of the proposed training to ACTAR who will determine the number of CEUs for which the presentation can qualify.  Pre-approval is the term used when the presentation is reviewed and CEUs determined prior to the presentation of the training.  Organizations may also present their material to ACTAR after their presentation for CEU approval.  If the organization received CEU approval from ACTAR, the course will qualify as ACTAR CEU approved training.

Pre-approval of course material is free, however, there is a fee when the CEUs are to be awarded to attendees.  Conferences and training presented or sponsored by an ACTAR participating organization pay $25 regardless of the number of attendees who receive CEUs.  Non participating entities pay a fee of $5/attendee receiving the CEUs.  To be granted CEUs, the presenting or sponsoring organization must forward a roster of attendees who are to be awarded CEUs along with the required fee.  If you attend a course, inquire whether ACTAR CEUs are offered and if so, be certain you are on the roster.

Even if the course, training or conference you attended does not offer ACTAR approved CEUs, any training related to accident investigation/reconstruction can qualify for CEU credit.  Just submit an outline or curriculum for the course to ACTAR who will review the material and determine the number of CEUs for which it qualifies.  The $3/CEU fee will then be imposed for each CEU you wish to apply to renewal.

For additional information, visit the ACTAR website www.actar.org or contact ACTAR at

PO Box 1493
North Platte, NE 69103-1493
800-809-3818

Exam Preparation Kit

If you would like assistance with preparing for the ACTAR exam, the editor of the Accident Reconstruction Journal and Accident Investigation Quarterly has developed an accreditation exam preparation kit.  The kit, which sells for $99, is designed to help candidates with the preparation and taking of the ACTAR accreditation exam.  For more information contact Vic Craig at accidentrj@aol.com or (301) 843-1371.  A discount on the purchase price of the kit is available to MdATAI members.

(Note:  The exam preparation kit was developed independent of ACTAR and although not specifically endorsed by ACTAR, ACTAR does not discourage the use of independent preparatory resources.)