Professional certification

Lore & Background

Certification is a third-party attestation of an individual's level of knowledge or proficiency in a certain industry or profession. They are granted by authorities in the field, such as professional societies and colleges, or by private certificate-granting agencies. Most certifications are time-limited; some expire after a period of time, while others can be renewed indefinitely as long as certain requirements are met. Renewal usually requires ongoing education to remain up-to-date on advancements in the field, evidenced by earning the specified number of continuing education credits (CECs) or continuing education units (CEUs) from approved professional development courses.

Reader's Guide

Certification is different from occupational licensing. In the United States, licenses are typically issued by state agencies, whereas certifications are usually awarded by professional societies or educational institutes. Obtaining a certificate is voluntary in some fields, but in others, certification from a government-accredited agency may be legally required to perform certain jobs or tasks. According to The Guide to National Professional Certification Programs (1997) by Phillip Barnhart, 'certifications are portable, since they do not depend on one company's definition of a certain job' and they provide potential employers with 'an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual's professional knowledge and experience'. Many certification programs are affiliated with professional associations, trade organizations, or private vendors interested in raising industry standards. Certifications are very common in fields such as aviation, construction, technology, environment, and other industrial sectors, as well as healthcare, business, real estate, and finance. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) defines the standard for being a certifying agency as delivering an assessment based on industry knowledge that is independent from training courses or course providers, and granting a time-limited credential to anyone who meets the assessment standards.

Did You Know?

• Certification is different from occupational licensing; licenses are typically issued by state agencies, while certifications are usually awarded by professional societies or educational institutes.
• Most certifications are time-limited; renewal usually requires continuing education credits (CECs) or continuing education units (CEUs).
• There are three general types of certification: corporate (internal), product-specific, and profession-wide.
• The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) defines the standard for being a certifying agency as delivering an assessment independent from training courses and granting a time-limited credential.