The Academy is committed to developing a workforce of HIV providers ready to care for the next generation of those with and at risk of HIV. To further uphold this mission and better support our credentialing applicants, we’re making some changes to our credentialing program.
New “Candidate” Credentials in 2025
The Academy is offering new credentials: HIV Specialist – Candidate™ and HIV Pharmacist – Candidate™. These credentials are for providers who have demonstrated their knowledge of HIV care and prevention through education and professional development, but do not meet the experience criteria for direct clinical experience managing patients with HIV.
These “Candidate” credentials are non-renewable, provisional credentials that indicate a provider’s readiness to gain additional experience in direct management of patients with HIV.
Accompanying this change, applicants will no longer be able to use participation in the Academy Mentoring Program to meet the experience requirement for the HIV Specialist™ and HIV Pharmacist™ credentials.
HIV Specialist – Candidate™ and HIV Pharmacist – Candidate™ Credentials
Eligibility for HIV Specialist – Candidate™ and HIV Pharmacist – Candidate™ credentials includes:
Licensure: Applicants based in the U.S. must maintain a current, valid license to practice as a physician, physician assistant / physician associate, nurse practitioner, or pharmacist. Applicants who work outside the U.S. must maintain current legal authority to practice medicine in their home country.
Education: Applicants must complete a minimum of 45 points of HIV and/or HCV-related continuing education (CE) within the 36 months preceding the date of application.
Experience: Not needed. This differs from the full Credential in that applicants for the Candidate credentials do not need experience caring for patients with HIV.
Education Requirements Updated in 2026
Beginning in 2026, the education requirements for any AAHIVM credential will change from being calculated as “hours” completed to a points system. This points systems will shift the focus of learning to a base of professional development as opposed to collecting a number of hours in educational activities.
The specifics for each credential will vary slightly, but below is a general overview of the new system.
A total of 45 eligibility points must be earned by new and renewing applicants. Points are earned by completing the following activities, subject to the listed maximums:
| Activity Type | Eligibility Points Awarded | Maximum allowable points |
HIV-related continuing education accredited as either:
*Applicants for the HIV Pharmacist must earn a minimum 15 hours of HIV-related ACPE Accredited CE |
1 point/credit hour | 45 |
Viral hepatitis-related, continuing education accredited as either:
|
1 point/CME hour | 10 |
| HIV-related college-level health professional coursework | 1 point/in-class hour | 15 |
| Participation as a learner in an HIV-related residency, HIV-related fellowship program, or the MATEC Clinical Scholars Program. | 45 points | 45 |
| HIV-related teaching/lecturing | 1 point/hour of in-class instruction | 15 |
Clinical precepting or mentoring, such as:
|
1 point/student | 5 |
| Publishing HIV-related content in a peer reviewed journal or a featured article in the Academy’s HIV Specialist magazine. | 5 points/article | 5 |
| Volunteering for the American Academy of HIV Medicine as a board member, committee member or item writer. | 5 points/year of service | 5 |
Exam Schedule Changes Starting in 2026
In 2026, the HIV Credentialing Exam will be offered only once, from mid-August to mid-September.
Beginning in 2027, the Academy will offer the HIV Credentialing Exam from mid-February to mid-March and from mid-August to mid-September. There will no longer be a November testing period.
Retake Policy Starting in 2026
Beginning in 2026, the examination retake policy will also change; applicants who do not receive a passing score will be given a complimentary retake during the next available testing period. For example, if someone takes the August 2026 test and doesn’t pass, they can retake the test in February 2027 without charge.
When Credentials Will Be Issued
Starting in 2027, new credentials will be issued on July 1 (February exam) or January 1 (August exam) following a passing score.
Renewing credentialees whose credentials are still active at the time of testing will have their credential extended for three years.
Example: Credential expires on December 31, 2027. Exam passed in February 2027, credential is extended through December 31, 2030.
For 2026 Renewals Only: Renewal candidates who do not pass the exam in August 2026 will be allowed to retake the exam in February 2027. If they pass the exam at that time, their credential will be renewed retroactively as of January 1, 2027.
Online-Only Exams Beginning in 2026
There will no longer be paper exams available starting in 2026. This moves the exam practices into more modern procedures as well as ensures higher security measures since exams will only be available online through a more controlled setting.
The Academy complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act in the promotion of and delivery of its professional credentials. Applicants with a qualified disability may submit a request for appropriate accommodations as outlined in the Credentialing Handbook.
