Certification
Certification is an important career step in many fields. Because of this,
accreditation agencies have been established to provide oversight and ensure
that certifications meet high standards, both in the quality of the test
AND in the quality of the sponsoring organization. There are many hurdles
to achieving accreditation; the process typically takes at least a year of effort
in addition to a substantial monetary investment. But the dividends are often worth it;
not only is your certification program of much higher quality,
but you have proof that you can market to candidates.
What is certification?
The following definition is provided by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, an association of the top certification agencies in North America:The certification of specialized skill-sets affirms a knowledge and experience base for practitioners in a particular field, their employers, and the public at large. Certification represents a declaration of a particular individual's professional competence.
Note that it is tied to a field as a whole, and not to a particular training organization, textbook, workshop, or any specific educational program. This is to ensure that there is no conflict of interest, and is one of the many things that are misunderstood about certification - exactly why you need our expertise to achieve accreditation and widespread acceptance of your certification. Contact us to learn more.
What does it take to get accredited?
Developing an accredited certification is no easy feat. It requires extensive resources, a panel of experts, and a least a year of effort. Some of the required pieces are listed below - and this is only the tip of the iceberg! To learn more, please read our white paper on Developing an Accredited Certification Program.- Job analysis survey
- Test specifications and design
- Item writing in accordance with best practices (no True/False or All of the Above)
- Detailed item review by experts
- Formal cutscore study by expert panel
- Delivery of exams in a secure environment
- Annual statistical analysis
