To reap its full rewards, a certification program must employ the assessment tools best suited to meet the needs of the certification program and the targeted occupation. Assessment tools must adhere to a rigorous development process to ensure their validity, reliability and fairness. As well, they should be administered using proper administrative policies and procedures. Consideration of the advantages and suitability of the various assessment methods is required for certification programs to be constructed to deliver the promised organizational benefits.
Professional certification is a voluntary process that recognizes individuals who meet predetermined standards, as assessed by a third party. More specifically, professional certification programs provide an independent, impartial assessment of an individual’s occupational competence, where candidates are evaluated against predetermined standards for knowledge, skills and abilities.
Candidates who demonstrate that they meet established standards are granted a time-limited credential and are awarded an acronym to signify that they have obtained the credential. To retain the credential, candidates must maintain and demonstrate continued competence in their occupation, abide by a code of conduct and adhere to occupational standards.