Founded in 1989, the Academy of Certified Archivists is an independent, nonprofit, certifying organization of professional archivists. With support from the society, the IBC conducted the initial phases of certification by petition and examination. The Academy of Certified Archivists, founded in 1989 at the annual meeting of the Society of American Archivists, is an independent, nonprofit certifying organization of professional archivists.
Individual members qualify for certification by meeting a series of defined professional standards.
They have either passed the examination for Certified Archivist, first offered in September 1989, or have qualified by petition for Certified Archivist. The petition program was closed in September 1989. Today, archivists can become certified only by meeting educational and experience requirements and passing the archival certification examination. Each year the membership elects a Vice President, who serves as Vice President for a year, then President for a year, then Regent for Nominations for a year. The Officers and Regents constitute the Board of Regents, which manages the affairs of the Academy.