If you are, or have been, absent from the practice of safety during your recertification cycle, you may request a Leave of Absence (LOA) in writing before the July 31 reporting deadline. A LOA can be up to three (3) years of your cycle and no more than one leave of absence period shall be permitted through the life of your certification. Additional LOA requests must be approved via formal petition to the Board of Directors. The recertification points required will be reduced by five points for CSPs, SMSs, and ASPs; four points for OHSTs, CHSTs, and CITs; and 0.6 points for STSs and STSCs for each year of a LOA; your cycle length does not change. You must continue to pay the annual renewal fee during the LOA.