5-Year Rule

The 5-year rule states that all exams required for a certification — SPI and a specialty exam — must be taken and passed within 5 years of each other. Failure to pass both exams within the time frame will require you to retake the exam you’ve previously passed.

The 5-year rule does not apply to adding additional specialties to a certification you have already earned.

The 5-year period is based on the calendar year and takes effect the day after you pass your first exam. For example: if you pass your first exam on June 6, 2026, you have until December 31, 2031 to pass your second.