Overview of Professional Certification
– A certification is a third-party attestation of knowledge or proficiency in an industry or profession.
– Certifications are granted by authorities in the field or private certificate-granting agencies.
– Most certifications are time-limited and require ongoing education for renewal.
– Certification programs are often affiliated with professional associations or trade organizations.
– Certifications are common in various industries such as aviation, construction, healthcare, and finance.
Types of Professional Certification
– Corporate certifications are made by organizations for internal purposes.
– Product-specific certifications are tied to a specific product or technology.
– Profession-wide certifications are offered by professional organizations and are portable across different workplaces.
– Corporate certifications are the simplest to develop, while profession-wide certifications are the most extensive.
– Examples of profession-wide certifications include certified public accountants (CPAs) and medical certifications.
Professional Certificates awarded by Tertiary Education Providers
– Many tertiary education providers offer professional certificates as an award for completing an educational program.
– Professional certificates often focus on a specific subject matter.
– Some professional certificates have the same curriculum as master’s degrees but require fewer courses.
– The typical professional certificate program is between 200 and 300 class-hours.
– Professional certificate programs may have open enrollment or admissions processes.
Distinction between Certification and Licensure
– Certifications are usually awarded by professional societies or educational institutes.
– Licenses are typically issued by state agencies in the United States.
– Certification is voluntary in some fields but legally required in others.
– Certifications provide an impartial endorsement of professional knowledge and experience.
– The assessment process for certification may be more comprehensive than that of licensure.
Standards and Accreditation for Certification Programs
– The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) defines the standard for certifying agencies.
– The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) sets standards for accreditation of certification programs.
– The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing guide accreditation of personnel certification and certificate programs.
– Many certification organizations are members of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP).
– Accreditation ensures credibility and quality in certification programs.Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Professional_certification
