Professional certification
Encyclopedia
Professional certification, trade certification, or professional designation, often called simply certification or qualification, is a designation earned by a person to assure qualification to perform a job or task. Many certifications are used as post-nominal letters
indicating an earned privilege from an oversight professional body
acting to safeguard the public interest.
, Cisco
, etc.). In general, must be renewed periodically, or may be valid for a specific period of time (e.g., the lifetime of the product upon which the individual is certified). As a part of a complete renewal of an individual's certification, it is common for the individual to show evidence of continued learning — often termed continuing education
— or earning continuing education unit
s (CEU).
It is important to note that certifications are usually earned from a professional society or educational institute, not the government. If a demonstration of ability or knowledge is required by law before being allowed to perform a task or job, this is referred to as licensure
. In the United States, professional licenses
are usually issued by state agencies. The certification assessment process, for some organizations, is very similar or even the same as licensure and may differ only in terms of legal status, while in other organizations, can be quite different and more comprehensive than that of licensure. certification and licensure differ only in terms of legal status.
The American National Standards Institute
(ANSI), Standard 1100, defines the requirements of meeting the ANSI standard for being a certifying organization. According to ANSI Standard 1100, a professional certifying organization must meet two requirements:
Certifications are very common in aviation
, construction
, technology
, environment, and other industrial sectors, as well as health care
, business
and finance. In USA, the Federal Aviation Administration
regulates aviator certifications.
The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is a US-based organization that helps certification bodies, primarily in health care
and related fields, by providing them with information on the latest trends and issues of concern to practitioners and organizations focused on certification, obtaining licenses, and human resource development. Many members of the Association of Test Publishers
(ATP) are also certification organizations.
Corporate, or internal certifications, are made by a corporation
or low-stakes organization for internal purposes. For example, a corporation might require a one-day training course for all sales personnel, after which they receive a certificate. While this certificate has limited portability – to other corporations, for example – it is the most simple to develop.
Product-specific certifications are more involved, and are intended to be referenced to a product across all applications. This approach is very prevalent in the information technology
(IT) industry, where personnel are certified on a version of software
or hardware. This type of certification is portable across locations (for example, different corporations that use that software), but not across other products.
The most general type of certification is profession-wide. Certification in the medical profession is often offered by particular specialties. In order to apply professional standards, increase the level of practice, and possibly protect the public (though this is also the domain of licensure
), a professional organization might establish a certification. This is intended to be portable to all places a certified professional might work. Of course, this generalization increases the cost of such a program; the process to establish a legally defensible assessment of an entire profession is very extensive. An example of this is a Certified Public Accountant
(CPA), which would not be certified for just one corporation or one piece of accountancy
software but for general work in the profession.
Public Accountants are the accountancy
and control
experts that are legally certified in different jurisdiction
s to work in public practices, certifying accounts as statutory auditor
s, eventually selling advice and services to other individuals and businesses. Today, however, many work within private corporations, financial industry, and government bodies.
Accounting and external auditing
Cf. Accountancy qualifications and regulation
Internal auditing and fraud combat
Finance
Investments
Personal Finance
Public Finance
Licensing in these categories require not only examinations but also a minimum of flight hours. All categories are available for Fixed-Wing Aircraft (airplanes) and Rotatory-Wing Aircraft (helicopters). Within each category, aviators may also obtain certifications in:
Usually, aviators must be certified also in their log books for the type and model of aircraft they are allowed to fly. Currency checks as well as regular medical check-ups with a frequency of 6 months, 12 months, or 36 months, depending on the type of flying permitted, are obligatory. An aviator can fly only if holding:
In Europe
, the ANSP
, ATCO
& ANSP technicians are certified according to ESARRs http://www.eurocontrol.int/src/public/standard_page/src_deliverables.html (according to EU regulation 2096/2004 "Common Requirements").
and information technology
.
Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) offer three levels of certifications that are industry-recognized:
MBCP (Master Business Continuity Professional), CBCP (Certified Business Continuity Professional), and ABCP (Associate Business Continuity Professional).
Academy of Board Qualified Environmental Professionals - Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
In order to become a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) one must sit through the exam and fulfill a number of requirements.
Other professional certifications include certifications such as medical license
s, Membership of the Royal College of Physicians
, nursing board certification, diplomas in social work
. The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy
certifies pharmacists that are knowledgeable about principles of geriatric pharmacotherapy and the provision of pharmaceutical care to the elderly. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
administers a voluntary accreditation program for law enforcement agencies
.
See also
is a large field of employment with widely-varying degrees of regulation. Most provision worldwide is through the state school system of each individual country, and as such the instructors tend to be trained primary- or secondary school
teachers that are native speakers of the language of their pupils, not English. Though native speakers of English have been working in non-English speaking countries in this capacity for years, it was not until the last twenty-five years or so that there was any widespread focus on training particularly for this field. Previously, workers in this sort of job were anyone from backpacker
s hoping to earn some extra travel money to well-educated professionals in other fields doing volunteer work, or retired people. These sort of people are certainly still to be found, but there are many who consider TESOL their main profession.
One of the problems facing these full-time teachers is the absence of international governing body for the certification or licenture of English language teachers. However, Cambridge University
and its subsidiary body UCLES
are pioneers in trying to get some degree of accountability and quality control to consumers of English courses, through their CELTA
and DELTA
programs. Trinity College, London
has roughly equivalent programs, the CertTESOL
and the LTCL DipTESOL
. They offer initial certificates in teaching, in which candidates are trained in language
awareness and classroom
techniques, and given a chance to practice teaching, after which feedback is reported. Both institutions have as a follow-up a professional diploma, usually taken after a year or two in the field. Although the initial certificate is available to anyone with a high school education, the diploma is meant to be a post-graduate qualification and in fact can be incorporated into a Master's degree program.
s are choosing to be recognized as having special knowledge and experience by becoming certified specialists in certain fields of law. According to the American Bar Association
, a lawyer that is a certified specialist has been recognized by an independent professional certifying organization as having an enhanced level of skill and expertise, as well as substantial involvement in an established legal specialty. These organizations require a lawyer to demonstrate special training, experience and knowledge to ensure that the lawyer's recognition as a certified specialist is meaningful and reliable. Lawyer conduct with regard to specialty certification is regulated by the states.
NBLSC is an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited organization providing Board Certification for US Lawyers. Board Certification is a rigorous testing and approval process that officially recognizes the extensive education and courtroom experience of attorneys. NBLSC provides Board Certification for Trial Lawyers & Trial Attorneys, Civil Lawyers, Criminal Lawyers, Family Lawyers and Social Security Disability Lawyers.
is the process by which a physician in the United States documents by written, practical and/or computer based testing, illustrating a mastery of knowledge and skills that define a particular area of medical specialization. The American Board of Medical Specialties
, a not-for-profit organization, assists 24 approved medical specialty boards in the development and use of standards in the ongoing evaluation and certification of physicians.
Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process. While medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification demonstrate a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or sub-specialty of medical practice.
Patients, physicians, health care providers, insurers and quality organizations regard certification as an important measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality health care within a given specialty.
Healthcare Quality
(PM) industry. Certification refers to the evaluation and recognition of the skills, knowledge, and/or competence of a practitioner in the field.
Project management certifications come in a variety of flavors:
Knowledge-based
Experience-based
The current proliferation of IT certifications (both offered and attained), like the FSI's IT baseline protection
certification, has led some technologists to question their value. Proprietary content that has been distributed on the Internet allows some to gain credentials without the implied depth or breadth of expertise. Certifying agencies have responded in various ways: Some now incorporate hands-on elements, anti-cheating methodologies or have expanded their content. Others have expired and restructured their certificate programs, and/or raised their fees to deter abuse.
Certification programs that take into account length of service, and demonstrated experience, via industry peer and/or employer recommendation avoid some of the issues associated with purely passing an examinations; however, certification remains a contentious issue.
Also, some professional certifications require a criminal record check for the certification to be approved. The presence of a criminal history when applying for certification may be grounds for denial of certification.
Post-nominal letters
Post-nominal letters, also called post-nominal initials, post-nominal titles or designatory letters, are letters placed after the name of a person to indicate that the individual holds a position, educational degree, accreditation, office, or honour. An individual may use several different sets of...
indicating an earned privilege from an oversight professional body
Professional body
A professional association is usually a nonprofit organization seeking to further a particular profession, the interests of individuals engaged in that profession, and the public interest.The roles of these professional associations have been variously defined: "A group of people in a...
acting to safeguard the public interest.
Overview
Certifications are earned from a professional society or from a IT vendor (e.g. MicrosoftMicrosoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, Cisco
Cisco
Cisco may refer to:Companies:*Cisco Systems, a computer networking company* Certis CISCO, corporatised entity of the former Commercial and Industrial Security Corporation in Singapore...
, etc.). In general, must be renewed periodically, or may be valid for a specific period of time (e.g., the lifetime of the product upon which the individual is certified). As a part of a complete renewal of an individual's certification, it is common for the individual to show evidence of continued learning — often termed continuing education
Continuing education
Continuing education is an all-encompassing term within a broad spectrum of post-secondary learning activities and programs. The term is used mainly in the United States and Canada...
— or earning continuing education unit
Continuing education unit
A Continuing Education Unit is a measure used in continuing education programs, particularly those required in a licensed profession in order for the professional to maintain the license. Examples of people who need CEUs include interior designers/interior architects, lighting designers,...
s (CEU).
Most certification programs are created, sponsored, or affiliated with professional associations, trade organizations, or IT vendors interested in raising standards. Even those programs completely independent from membership organizations enjoy association support and endorsement.
The growth of certification programs is also a reaction to the changing employment market. Certifications are portable, since they do not depend on one company's definition of a certain job. Certification stands about the resume and the professional reference by being an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual's professional knowledge and experience. Certification provides an impartial, third-party endorsement of an individual's professional knowledge and experience.
It is important to note that certifications are usually earned from a professional society or educational institute, not the government. If a demonstration of ability or knowledge is required by law before being allowed to perform a task or job, this is referred to as licensure
Licensure
Licensure refers to the granting of a license, which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized skill...
. In the United States, professional licenses
U.S. State professional licenses
In the United States, the state governments have jurisdiction for issuing most professional licenses to individuals and corporations.Fields that are regulated and licensed vary among individual states...
are usually issued by state agencies. The certification assessment process, for some organizations, is very similar or even the same as licensure and may differ only in terms of legal status, while in other organizations, can be quite different and more comprehensive than that of licensure. certification and licensure differ only in terms of legal status.
The American National Standards Institute
American National Standards Institute
The American National Standards Institute is a private non-profit organization that oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States. The organization also coordinates U.S. standards with international...
(ANSI), Standard 1100, defines the requirements of meeting the ANSI standard for being a certifying organization. According to ANSI Standard 1100, a professional certifying organization must meet two requirements:
- Deliver an assessment based on industry knowledge, independent from training courses or course providers.
- Grant a time-limited credential to anyone who meets the assessment standards.
Certifications are very common in aviation
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
, construction
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
, technology
Technology
Technology is the making, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, crafts, systems or methods of organization in order to solve a problem or perform a specific function. It can also refer to the collection of such tools, machinery, and procedures. The word technology comes ;...
, environment, and other industrial sectors, as well as health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
, business
Business
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
and finance. In USA, the Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
regulates aviator certifications.
The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is a US-based organization that helps certification bodies, primarily in health care
Health care
Health care is the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease, illness, injury, and other physical and mental impairments in humans. Health care is delivered by practitioners in medicine, chiropractic, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, allied health, and other care providers...
and related fields, by providing them with information on the latest trends and issues of concern to practitioners and organizations focused on certification, obtaining licenses, and human resource development. Many members of the Association of Test Publishers
Association of Test Publishers
The Association of Test Publishers or ATP is an established non-profit trade association representing providers of tests and assessment tools and/or services related to assessment, selection, screening, certification, licensing, educational or clinical uses....
(ATP) are also certification organizations.
Types of certifications
There are three general types of certification. Listed in order of development level and portability, they are: corporate (internal), product-specific, and profession-wide.Corporate, or internal certifications, are made by a corporation
Corporation
A corporation is created under the laws of a state as a separate legal entity that has privileges and liabilities that are distinct from those of its members. There are many different forms of corporations, most of which are used to conduct business. Early corporations were established by charter...
or low-stakes organization for internal purposes. For example, a corporation might require a one-day training course for all sales personnel, after which they receive a certificate. While this certificate has limited portability – to other corporations, for example – it is the most simple to develop.
Product-specific certifications are more involved, and are intended to be referenced to a product across all applications. This approach is very prevalent in the information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
(IT) industry, where personnel are certified on a version of software
Computer software
Computer software, or just software, is a collection of computer programs and related data that provide the instructions for telling a computer what to do and how to do it....
or hardware. This type of certification is portable across locations (for example, different corporations that use that software), but not across other products.
The most general type of certification is profession-wide. Certification in the medical profession is often offered by particular specialties. In order to apply professional standards, increase the level of practice, and possibly protect the public (though this is also the domain of licensure
Licensure
Licensure refers to the granting of a license, which gives a "permission to practice." Such licenses are usually issued in order to regulate some activity that is deemed to be dangerous or a threat to the person or the public or which involves a high level of specialized skill...
), a professional organization might establish a certification. This is intended to be portable to all places a certified professional might work. Of course, this generalization increases the cost of such a program; the process to establish a legally defensible assessment of an entire profession is very extensive. An example of this is a Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant
Certified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
(CPA), which would not be certified for just one corporation or one piece of accountancy
Accountancy
Accountancy is the process of communicating financial information about a business entity to users such as shareholders and managers. The communication is generally in the form of financial statements that show in money terms the economic resources under the control of management; the art lies in...
software but for general work in the profession.
Areas of certification
Accountancy, Auditing and Finance
There are many professional bodies for accountants and auditors throughout the world; some of them are legally recognized in their jurisdictions.Public Accountants are the accountancy
Accountancy
Accountancy is the process of communicating financial information about a business entity to users such as shareholders and managers. The communication is generally in the form of financial statements that show in money terms the economic resources under the control of management; the art lies in...
and control
Management accounting
Management accounting or managerial accounting is concerned with the provisions and use of accounting information to managers within organizations, to provide them with the basis to make informed business decisions that will allow them to be better equipped in their management and control...
experts that are legally certified in different jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction is the practical authority granted to a formally constituted legal body or to a political leader to deal with and make pronouncements on legal matters and, by implication, to administer justice within a defined area of responsibility...
s to work in public practices, certifying accounts as statutory auditor
Statutory auditor
A is an official found in Japanese kabushiki kaisha .Statutory auditors are elected by shareholders and hold a position in the hierarchy alongside the board of directors. A kabushiki kaisha must have at least one statutory auditor, unless the transfer of shares is restricted in the articles of...
s, eventually selling advice and services to other individuals and businesses. Today, however, many work within private corporations, financial industry, and government bodies.
Accounting and external auditing
Cf. Accountancy qualifications and regulation
- ACA, FCAInstitute of Chartered Accountants in England & WalesThe Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales was established by a Royal Charter in 1880. It has over 130,000 members. Over 15,000 of these members live and work outside the UK...
or CAChartered AccountantChartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants , the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants were each granted a royal charter almost from...
(Chartered AccountantChartered AccountantChartered Accountants were the first accountants to form a professional body, initially established in Britain in 1854. The Edinburgh Society of Accountants , the Glasgow Institute of Accountants and Actuaries and the Aberdeen Society of Accountants were each granted a royal charter almost from...
) conferred by Institutes of Chartered Accountants in various territories, namely the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. - ACMAChartered Institute of Management AccountantsThe Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.CIMA is one of a number of professional...
or FCMA (Associate or Fellow Chartered Management Accountant) conferred by the Chartered Institute of Management AccountantsChartered Institute of Management AccountantsThe Chartered Institute of Management Accountants is a United Kingdom-based professional body offering training and qualification in management accountancy and related subjects, focused on accounting for business; together with ongoing support for members.CIMA is one of a number of professional...
(UK) - Associate or Fellow Chartered Certified Accountant (ACCAAssociation of Chartered Certified AccountantsFounded in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the global body for professional accountants offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification . it is one of the largest and fastest-growing global accountancy bodies with 147,000 members and 424,000 students in 170...
or FCCAChartered Certified AccountantChartered Certified Accountant was historically seen as a British qualified accountant designation awarded by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants . However, although ACCA is UK based, it is a global body for professional accountants with 147,000 qualified members and 424,000...
) conferred by Association of Chartered Certified AccountantsAssociation of Chartered Certified AccountantsFounded in 1904, the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants is the global body for professional accountants offering the Chartered Certified Accountant qualification . it is one of the largest and fastest-growing global accountancy bodies with 147,000 members and 424,000 students in 170...
(UK) - AAIA or FAIAFAIAFellow of the American Institute of Architects is a postnomial, designating an individual who has been named a fellow of the American Institute of Architects...
(Associate or Fellow International Accountant) conferred by Association of International AccountantsAssociation of International AccountantsThe Association of International Accountants is a professional accountancy body. It was founded in the UK in 1928 and since that date has promoted the concept of ‘international accounting’ to create a global network of accountants in over 85 countries worldwide.AIA is recognised by the UK... - CPA (Certified Public AccountantCertified Public AccountantCertified Public Accountant is the statutory title of qualified accountants in the United States who have passed the Uniform Certified Public Accountant Examination and have met additional state education and experience requirements for certification as a CPA...
) conferred by State Accountancy Boards in the USA, Hong-Kong, Australia... - PFA ([Professional Financial Accountant]) from came center and Cairo UniversityCairo UniversityCairo University is a public university located in Giza, Egypt.The university was founded on December 21, 1908, as the result of an effort to establish a national center for educational thought...
- CMA (Certified Management AccountantCertified Management AccountantThe title Certified Management Accountant is used by various professional bodies around the world to designate their different professional certifications....
) conferred by Institute of Certified Management AccountantsInstitute of Certified Management AccountantsThe Institute of Certified Management Accountants is an Australian organisation focused on management accounting, it differs from other Australian Accounting societies: CPA Australia, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia, Institute of Public Accountants due to this focus.The Institute...
(ICMA in Australia), Institute of Management AccountantsInstitute of Management AccountantsInstitute of Management Accountants is a professional organization headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey more than 60,000 professionals worldwide...
(IMA in US) - CCCCCC- Businesses and organizations :* Canterbury of New Zealand, a New Zealand-based sports apparel company* Center for Community Change, one of the larger community building organizations in the United States* Color Climax Corporation, a Danish pornography company...
(Chartered Cost Controllers) issued and conferred by the American Academy of Financial ManagementAmerican Academy of Financial ManagementThe American Academy of Financial Management is a USA-based board of standards, certifying body, and accreditation council dedicated to the finance sector and management professionals....
USA Certifying Board (AAFMAmerican Academy of Financial ManagementThe American Academy of Financial Management is a USA-based board of standards, certifying body, and accreditation council dedicated to the finance sector and management professionals....
)
Internal auditing and fraud combat
- CIA (Certified Internal Auditor), CCSA, CGAP, QARQarQar was the sixth pharaoh of the Hyksos Sixteenth dynasty of Egypt....
conferred by the worldwide recognised Institute of Internal AuditorsInstitute of Internal AuditorsEstablished in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors is a guidance-setting body. Serving members in 165 countries, The IIA is the internal audit profession's global voice, chief advocate, recognized authority, and principal educator, with global headquarters in Altamonte Springs, Fla., United...
(IIA) headquartered in Altamonte Springs Florida with chapters in many countries - CFE (Certified Fraud ExaminerCertified Fraud ExaminerThe Certified Fraud Examiner is a credential awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners . The ACFE association is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education...
) conferred by the worldwide recognised Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersAssociation of Certified Fraud ExaminersEstablished in 1988 the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is the professional organization that governs professional fraud examiners. Its activities include producing fraud information, tools and training. It also governs the professional designation of Certified Fraud Examiner...
(ACFE) headquartered in Texas with chapters in many countries - CISA (Certified Information Systems Auditor) awarded by the worldwide recognised Information Systems Audit and Control Association headquartered in the USA with chapters in many countries
Finance
Investments
- AVA (Acceredited Valuation Analyst) conferred by the The National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA)
- ASA (Acceredited Senior Appraiser) conferred by the ASAASA- Organizations :* Acoustical Society of America* Advertising Standards Authority * African Studies Association* Aid to Southeast Asia, a non-governmental organization* Airline Superintendents Association of Trinidad & Tobago...
- CBA (Certified business Appraiser) conferred by the IBAIBA-Iba:People*Clarence Iba , American basketball coach*Erol Iba , Indonesian footballer*Henry Iba , American basketball coach*Moe Iba , American basketball coach*Itsuki Iba, a fictional characterPlaces...
- CFA (Chartered Financial AnalystChartered Financial AnalystThe Chartered Financial Analyst Program is a graduate level self-study program offered by the CFA Institute to investment and financial professionals...
) conferred by CFA InstituteCFA InstituteCFA Institute is headquartered in the United States of America at Charlottesville, Virginia, with offices in Hong Kong and London. Formerly known as the Association for Investment Management and Research , CFA Institute awards the Chartered Financial Analyst designation...
(CFAI) - CVA (Certified Valuation Analyst) conferred by the The National Association of Certified Valuators and Analysts (NACVA) and The International Association of Consultants, Valuators and Analysts (IACVA)
- CIIA (Certified International Investment AnalystCertified International Investment AnalystCertified International Investment Analyst is a global finance designation offered by the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts to financial professionals; candidates may be financial analysts, portfolio managers or investment advisors...
) conferred by the Association of Certified International Investment Analysts (ACIIA) - FRM (Financial Risk ManagerFinancial Risk ManagerThe Financial Risk Manager designation is an international professional certification offered by the Global Association of Risk Professionals...
) conferred by the Global Association of Risk ProfessionalsGlobal Association of Risk ProfessionalsThe Global Association of Risk Professionals is an international not-for-profit organization founded in 1996 by Marc Lore and Lev Borodovsky...
(GARP) - PRM (Professional Risk Manager) conferred by the Professional Risk Managers' International Associate (PRMIA)
Personal Finance
- CFP (Certified Financial PlannerCertified Financial PlannerThe Certified Financial Planner designation is a professional certification mark for financial planners conferred by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc...
) conferred by Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards and Financial Planning Standards Board - CWM (Chartered Wealth Manager), CAM (Chartered Asset Manager), CTEP (Chartered Trust and Estate Planner) and CPM (Chartered Portfolio Manager), issued, founded and conferred by the USA Board of Standards American Academy of Financial ManagementAmerican Academy of Financial ManagementThe American Academy of Financial Management is a USA-based board of standards, certifying body, and accreditation council dedicated to the finance sector and management professionals....
(AAFM) - CCP (Certified Credit ProfessionalCertified Credit ProfessionalCertified Credit Professional is the Canadian designation awarded to professionals in the credit management field by the Credit Institute of Canada . A CCP designation holder is a member of the Credit Institute of Canada and is bound by that organization's Code of Ethics. The CCP designation was...
) issued to credit management professionals in Canada by the Credit Institute of CanadaCredit Institute of CanadaThe Credit Institute of Canada is a not-for-profit organization created by a special Act of Parliament on June 11, 1928. The CIC provides credit management resources, education and certification to its members and is the only organization that grants official designations to professionals in the... - EA (Enrolled AgentEnrolled AgentAn Enrolled Agent is a tax professional recognized by the United States federal government to represent taxpayers in dealings with the Internal Revenue Service...
) by the Internal Revenue ServiceInternal Revenue ServiceThe Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
(IRS)
Public Finance
Public finance
Public finance is the revenue and expenditure of public authoritiesThe purview of public finance is considered to be threefold: governmental effects on efficient allocation of resources, distribution of income, and macroeconomic stabilization.-Overview:The proper role of government provides a...
- CCMTCertified California Municipal TreasurerA Certified California Municipal Treasurer is a post-nominal professional certification awarded by the California Municipal Treasurers Association to California public treasurers who meet standards of education, experience and a stated commitment to a code of ethics...
(Certified California Municipal TreasurerCertified California Municipal TreasurerA Certified California Municipal Treasurer is a post-nominal professional certification awarded by the California Municipal Treasurers Association to California public treasurers who meet standards of education, experience and a stated commitment to a code of ethics...
) conferred by California Municipal Treasurers AssociationCalifornia Municipal Treasurers AssociationCalifornia Municipal Treasurers Association is the professional society of active public treasurers of California counties, cities, and special districts. It sets ethical standards for the treasury profession in state and local government in California....
(CMTA) - CGAP (Certified Government Auditing Professional) conferred by the Institute of Internal AuditorsInstitute of Internal AuditorsEstablished in 1941, The Institute of Internal Auditors is a guidance-setting body. Serving members in 165 countries, The IIA is the internal audit profession's global voice, chief advocate, recognized authority, and principal educator, with global headquarters in Altamonte Springs, Fla., United...
, based on the US Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)Government Auditing Standards (Yellow Book)The Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards , commonly referred to as the "Yellow Book", are produced in the United States by the Government Accountability Office ....
and additionally on COSOCommittee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway CommissionThe Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission is a voluntary private-sector organization, established in the United States, dedicated to providing guidance to executive management and governance entities on critical aspects of organizational governance, business ethics,...
, IIA standards and INTOSAI ISSAI standards recognized worldwide in public finance - CGFM (Certified Government Financial ManagerCertified Government Financial ManagerA Certified Government Financial Manager is a professional certification issued by the Association of Government Accountants . It was created in 1994 to provide a professional standard of financial expertise and ethics in government and a standard by which government financial management...
) conferred by Association of Government AccountantsAssociation of Government AccountantsThe Association of Government Accountants was founded on September 14, 1950. AGA serves Federal, State and local government accounting professionals by providing education, encouraging professional development, providing Government Accounting certification, and supporting standards and research to...
(AGA) - CGFO (Certified Government Finance Officer) conferred by Government Finance Officers Association of TexasGovernment Finance Officers Association of TexasThe Government Finance Officers Association of Texas is a professional association of state, county, and local government finance officers in Texas. The Government Finance Officers Association of Texas is the statewide organization serving all Texas municipal finance professionals, an affiliate...
(GFOAT) - CMA (Certified Management AccountantCertified Management AccountantThe title Certified Management Accountant is used by various professional bodies around the world to designate their different professional certifications....
) conferred by Institute of Management AccountantsInstitute of Management AccountantsInstitute of Management Accountants is a professional organization headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey more than 60,000 professionals worldwide... - CPFO (Certified Public Finance Officer) conferred by Government Finance Officers Association
- CPFA (Certified Public Finance Administrator) conferred by Association of Public Treasurers of the United States and CanadaAssociation of Public Treasurers of the United States and CanadaAssociation of Public Treasurers of the United States and Canada is the professional society of active public treasurers of counties, provinces, cities, and special districts in the United States and Canada...
(APTUSC)
Aviation
Aviators (Aviation Pilots) are certified through theoretical and in-flight examinations. Requirements for certifications are quite equal in most countries and regulated by each National Aviation Authority. The existing certificates or pilot licenses are:- PPLPrivate Pilot LicenseA Private Pilot License or, in the United States of America, a Private Pilot Certificate, is a license that permits the holder to act as the pilot of an aircraft privately . The requirements to obtain the license are determined by the International Civil Aviation Authority , but the actual...
(Private Pilot License) conferred by the FAA (Federal Aviation AdministrationFederal Aviation AdministrationThe Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
) or JAA (Joint Aviation AuthoritiesJoint Aviation AuthoritiesThe Joint Aviation Authorities, or JAA, was an associated body of the ECAC representing the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States who had agreed to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory standards and procedures...
) - CPL (Commercial Pilot LicenceCommercial Pilot LicenceA Commercial Pilot License or, in the United States, a Commercial Pilot Certificate, is a qualification that permits the holder to act as the Pilot In Command of a single pilot aircraft, or as co-pilot of a multi-pilot aircraft and be paid for his/her work.The basic requirements to obtain the...
) conferred by the FAA (Federal Aviation AdministrationFederal Aviation AdministrationThe Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
) or JAA (Joint Aviation AuthoritiesJoint Aviation AuthoritiesThe Joint Aviation Authorities, or JAA, was an associated body of the ECAC representing the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States who had agreed to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory standards and procedures...
) - ATP (Airline Transport PilotAirline Transport Pilot LicenseThe Airline Transport Pilot License , or in the United States of America, an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate is the highest level of aircraft pilot rating -- or license...
) conferred by the FAA (Federal Aviation AdministrationFederal Aviation AdministrationThe Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
) or JAA (Joint Aviation AuthoritiesJoint Aviation AuthoritiesThe Joint Aviation Authorities, or JAA, was an associated body of the ECAC representing the civil aviation regulatory authorities of a number of European States who had agreed to co-operate in developing and implementing common safety regulatory standards and procedures...
)
Licensing in these categories require not only examinations but also a minimum of flight hours. All categories are available for Fixed-Wing Aircraft (airplanes) and Rotatory-Wing Aircraft (helicopters). Within each category, aviators may also obtain certifications in:
- Instrument Flight Rules (IFRInstrument flight rulesInstrument flight rules are one of two sets of regulations governing all aspects of civil aviation aircraft operations; the other are visual flight rules ....
) - Multi-engine aircraft
- Turbojet Engines
- Jet EngineJet engineA jet engine is a reaction engine that discharges a fast moving jet to generate thrust by jet propulsion and in accordance with Newton's laws of motion. This broad definition of jet engines includes turbojets, turbofans, rockets, ramjets, pulse jets...
s - Experimental aircraftExperimental aircraftAn experimental aircraft is an aircraft that has not yet been fully proven in flight. Often, this implies that new aerospace technologies are being tested on the aircraft, though the label is more broad....
- Amphibious aircraftAmphibious aircraftAn amphibious aircraft or amphibian is an aircraft that can take off and land on either land or water. Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are seaplanes that are equipped with retractable wheels, at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy compared to planes...
- SeaplaneSeaplaneA seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
s
Usually, aviators must be certified also in their log books for the type and model of aircraft they are allowed to fly. Currency checks as well as regular medical check-ups with a frequency of 6 months, 12 months, or 36 months, depending on the type of flying permitted, are obligatory. An aviator can fly only if holding:
- A valid pilot license
- A valid medical certificate
- Valid certifications for the type of aircraft and type of flight.
In Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the ANSP
Air Navigation Service Provider
An Air Navigation Service Provider is the organisation that separates aircraft on the ground or in flight in a dedicated block of airspace on behalf of a state or a number of states....
, ATCO
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...
& ANSP technicians are certified according to ESARRs http://www.eurocontrol.int/src/public/standard_page/src_deliverables.html (according to EU regulation 2096/2004 "Common Requirements").
Computer technology
Certification is often used in the professions of software engineeringSoftware engineering
Software Engineering is the application of a systematic, disciplined, quantifiable approach to the development, operation, and maintenance of software, and the study of these approaches; that is, the application of engineering to software...
and information technology
Information technology
Information technology is the acquisition, processing, storage and dissemination of vocal, pictorial, textual and numerical information by a microelectronics-based combination of computing and telecommunications...
.
Disaster Management
- Gillings School of Global Public Health – UNC Chapel Hill online graduate certificate program in Community Preparedness and Disaster Management (CPDM)
Disaster Recovery Institute International (DRII) offer three levels of certifications that are industry-recognized:
MBCP (Master Business Continuity Professional), CBCP (Certified Business Continuity Professional), and ABCP (Associate Business Continuity Professional).
Elections and Voter Registration
Elections and Voter Registration Administrator- CERA or C.E.R.A. (Certified Elections/Registration Administrator), the highest level of certification available for election administrators, conferred by the Election Center, the National Association of Election Administrators. Instruction and university credit for required coursework is provided by Auburn University.
Environment
- Institute of Professional Environmental Practice – Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP)
Academy of Board Qualified Environmental Professionals - Certified Environmental Professional (CEP)
- CEnvPCEnvPThe Certified Environmental Practitioner Scheme was established in 2004 by the Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand...
– Certified Environmental Practitioner of Australia and New Zealand (CEnvP)
Economic development
The International Economic Development Council, IEDC, based in Washington, D.C. recognizes economic developers around the world who have achieved a level of excellence in their understanding of the tools and programs of economic development.In order to become a Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) one must sit through the exam and fulfill a number of requirements.
Other professional certifications include certifications such as medical license
Medical license
In most countries, only persons with a medical license bestowed either by a specified government-approved professional association or a government agency are authorized to practice medicine. Licenses are not granted automatically to all people with medical degrees...
s, Membership of the Royal College of Physicians
Membership of the Royal College of Physicians
Membership of the Royal Colleges of Physicians is a postgraduate medical diploma. The examinations are run by the Federation of the Medical Royal Colleges of the United Kingdom – the Royal College of Physicians of London, the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, and the Royal College...
, nursing board certification, diplomas in social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
. The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy
Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy
The Commission for Certification in Geriatric Pharmacy is a non-profit organization which has established a voluntary professional certification program for pharmacists. Pharmacists must pass a written examination to become certified and must re-certify every five years...
certifies pharmacists that are knowledgeable about principles of geriatric pharmacotherapy and the provision of pharmaceutical care to the elderly. The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies
The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc., is a credentialing authority , based in the United States, whose primary mission is to accredited public safety agencies, namely law enforcement agencies, training academies, communications centers, and campus public safety...
administers a voluntary accreditation program for law enforcement agencies
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
.
See also
- Royal Australian and New Zealand College of RadiologistsRoyal Australian and New Zealand College of RadiologistsThe Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists is the leading professional organisation for the promotion of the science and practice of the medical specialties of diagnostic and interventional radiology and radiation oncology in Australia and New Zealand...
- Fellow of the American College of Emergency PhysiciansFACEPFellow of the American College of Emergency Physicians, or FACEP, is a post-nominal title used to indicate that an emergency physician's education and training, professional qualifications, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high...
- Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansFellow of the Royal Australasian College of PhysiciansThe post-nominal initials FRACP stand for "Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians."Fellowship is recognition of completion of the College's prescribed post-graduate specialist training program in medicine....
- Fellowship of the Royal College of SurgeonsFellowship of the Royal College of SurgeonsFellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons is a professional qualification to practise as a surgeon in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland...
- Membership of the College of Emergency MedicineMembership of the College of Emergency MedicineMembership of the College of Emergency Medicine or MCEM is a qualification awarded by examination by the College of Emergency Medicine, the organisation which has the responsibility of guiding the training and examinations of specialists in emergency medicine in the United Kingdom. The examination...
- Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in OphthalmologyJoint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in OphthalmologyThe Joint Commission on Allied Health Personnel in Ophthalmology is the international certifying body for allied health personnel in the medical field of ophthalmology, who are collectively termed ophthalmic medical personnel...
- American Registry for Diagnostic Medical SonographyAmerican Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography- The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography :The American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography , incorporated in June 1975, is an independent, nonprofit organization that administers examinations and awards credentials in the areas of diagnostic medical sonography, diagnostic...
Language education
TESOLEnglish language learning and teaching
English as a second language , English for speakers of other languages and English as a foreign language all refer to the use or study of English by speakers with different native languages. The precise usage, including the different use of the terms ESL and ESOL in different countries, is...
is a large field of employment with widely-varying degrees of regulation. Most provision worldwide is through the state school system of each individual country, and as such the instructors tend to be trained primary- or secondary school
Secondary school
Secondary school is a term used to describe an educational institution where the final stage of schooling, known as secondary education and usually compulsory up to a specified age, takes place...
teachers that are native speakers of the language of their pupils, not English. Though native speakers of English have been working in non-English speaking countries in this capacity for years, it was not until the last twenty-five years or so that there was any widespread focus on training particularly for this field. Previously, workers in this sort of job were anyone from backpacker
Backpacking (travel)
Backpacking is a term that has historically been used to denote a form of low-cost, independent international travel. Terms such as independent travel and/or budget travel are often used...
s hoping to earn some extra travel money to well-educated professionals in other fields doing volunteer work, or retired people. These sort of people are certainly still to be found, but there are many who consider TESOL their main profession.
One of the problems facing these full-time teachers is the absence of international governing body for the certification or licenture of English language teachers. However, Cambridge University
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and its subsidiary body UCLES
UCLES
University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate is a non-teaching department of the University of Cambridge and is a not-for-profit organisation...
are pioneers in trying to get some degree of accountability and quality control to consumers of English courses, through their CELTA
CELTA
The Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults is a professional credential held by many teachers of English as a foreign language.-Overview:...
and DELTA
DELTA (ELT)
The Delta is a professional qualification in English language teaching consisting of three modules awarded by Cambridge Assessment, formerly UCLES, a part of the University of Cambridge...
programs. Trinity College, London
Trinity College London
Trinity College London is an international examinations board based in London, England. TCL offers qualifications across a range of disciplines in the performing arts and arts education and English language learning and teaching...
has roughly equivalent programs, the CertTESOL
CertTESOL
The Certificate in TESOL is an accredited professional qualification awarded in the teaching of "English for speakers of other languages" by Trinity College London. It is a commonly taken teaching qualification in the field of English language learning and teaching . Many people take this...
and the LTCL DipTESOL
LTCL DipTESOL
The Licentiate Diploma in TESOL is a professional qualification awarded in the teaching of English for Speakers of Other Languages by Trinity College London...
. They offer initial certificates in teaching, in which candidates are trained in language
Language
Language may refer either to the specifically human capacity for acquiring and using complex systems of communication, or to a specific instance of such a system of complex communication...
awareness and classroom
Classroom
A classroom is a room in which teaching or learning activities can take place. Classrooms are found in educational institutions of all kinds, including public and private schools, corporations, and religious and humanitarian organizations...
techniques, and given a chance to practice teaching, after which feedback is reported. Both institutions have as a follow-up a professional diploma, usually taken after a year or two in the field. Although the initial certificate is available to anyone with a high school education, the diploma is meant to be a post-graduate qualification and in fact can be incorporated into a Master's degree program.
Legal affairs
An increasing number of lawyerLawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
s are choosing to be recognized as having special knowledge and experience by becoming certified specialists in certain fields of law. According to the American Bar Association
American Bar Association
The American Bar Association , founded August 21, 1878, is a voluntary bar association of lawyers and law students, which is not specific to any jurisdiction in the United States. The ABA's most important stated activities are the setting of academic standards for law schools, and the formulation...
, a lawyer that is a certified specialist has been recognized by an independent professional certifying organization as having an enhanced level of skill and expertise, as well as substantial involvement in an established legal specialty. These organizations require a lawyer to demonstrate special training, experience and knowledge to ensure that the lawyer's recognition as a certified specialist is meaningful and reliable. Lawyer conduct with regard to specialty certification is regulated by the states.
NBLSC is an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited organization providing Board Certification for US Lawyers. Board Certification is a rigorous testing and approval process that officially recognizes the extensive education and courtroom experience of attorneys. NBLSC provides Board Certification for Trial Lawyers & Trial Attorneys, Civil Lawyers, Criminal Lawyers, Family Lawyers and Social Security Disability Lawyers.
Logistics & Transport
Logistician is the Profession in the logistics & transport sectors, including sea, air, land and rail modes. Professional qualification for logisticians usually carry post-nominal letters. Common examples include:- MILT (Member Institute of Logistics and Transport) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT),
- CMILT (Chartered Member, Institute of Logistics and Transport) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
- FCILT (Chartered Fellow, Institute of Logistics and Transport) conferred by The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)
- CPL/CTP conferred by Transport & Logistics Certification Council (TLCC) of Australia,
- EJLog/ESLog/EMLog conferred by the European Logistics Association (ELA),
- CMLCML- Computing :* Cache Meta Language, a language for configuring web server caching* Chemical Markup Language, a representation of chemistry using XML* Column Managed Lengths, a representation of data in columns...
/CPL conferred by the International Society of LogisticsInternational Society of LogisticsThe International Society of Logistics is a non-profit organization devoted to the development and promotion of logistics, including improvements in technology, education and management...
(SOLE), - JrLog/Log/SrLog conferred by the China Federation of Logistics & Purchasing (CFLP),
- FHKLA/PMHKLA conferred by the Hong Kong Logistics Association (HKLA),
- PLS/CTL/DLP conferred by the American Society of Transportation & Logistics (AST&L),
- CPIM/CSCP conferred by the Association for Operations Management (APICSAPICSAPICS The Association for Operations Management, is a not-for-profit international education organization, offering certification programs, training tools and networking opportunities to increase workplace performance...
), - CCS (Certified Customs Specialist) conferred by the (Canadian Society of Customs Brokers) (CSCB),
- CITT conferred by the Canadian Institute of Traffic & Transportation (CITT),
- ACCL-AMI / ACCL-AMO / ACCL-ABM / ACCL-OBM conferred by the Allied Council for Commerce and LogisticsAllied Council for Commerce and LogisticsThe Allied Council for Commerce and Logistics is a philanthropic, Non-Profit NGO functioning in the field of shipping and logistics. ACCL was registered in 2010 under the Societies Registration Act, Government of India.- History :...
(ACCL)
Medicine
Board certificationBoard certification
Board certification is the process by which a physician , dentist , or podiatrist in the United States demonstrates through either written, practical, and/or simulator based testing, a mastery of the basic knowledge and skills that define an area of medical specialization...
is the process by which a physician in the United States documents by written, practical and/or computer based testing, illustrating a mastery of knowledge and skills that define a particular area of medical specialization. The American Board of Medical Specialties
American Board of Medical Specialties
The American Board of Medical Specialties is a non-profit physician-led umbrella organization for 24 of the 26 approved medical specialty boards in the United States...
, a not-for-profit organization, assists 24 approved medical specialty boards in the development and use of standards in the ongoing evaluation and certification of physicians.
Medical specialty certification in the United States is a voluntary process. While medical licensure sets the minimum competency requirements to diagnose and treat patients, it is not specialty specific. Board certification demonstrate a physician’s exceptional expertise in a particular specialty and/or sub-specialty of medical practice.
Patients, physicians, health care providers, insurers and quality organizations regard certification as an important measure of a physician’s knowledge, experience and skills to provide quality health care within a given specialty.
Healthcare Quality
- CPHQ (Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality) conferred by the Healthcare Quality Certification Board of the National Association for Healthcare Quality
Physical Asset Management
- MMP – Maintenance Management ProfessionalMaintenance Management ProfessionalThe maintenance management professional designation is a registered professional designation in Canada issued on the authority of the President of Plant Engineering and Maintenance Association of Canada to individuals who successfully complete a series of eight courses and who are members in good...
- CMRP – Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP)
Plumbing
- ASSE (American Society of Sanitary Engineering) - an ANSI Accredited standards developer and certification body
Project Management
Certification is of significant importance in the project managementProject management
Project management is the discipline of planning, organizing, securing, and managing resources to achieve specific goals. A project is a temporary endeavor with a defined beginning and end , undertaken to meet unique goals and objectives, typically to bring about beneficial change or added value...
(PM) industry. Certification refers to the evaluation and recognition of the skills, knowledge, and/or competence of a practitioner in the field.
Project management certifications come in a variety of flavors:
- Competence-based programs wherein an individual must provide evidence of actual, on-the-job performance
- Knowledge-based programs wherein an individual must pass an exam
- Experience-based programs wherein an individual must provide evidence of training or education in the field.
Knowledge-based
- PMP® Project Management ProfessionalProject Management ProfessionalProject Management Professional is a credential offered by the Project Management Institute . , there were 393,413 active PMP certified individuals worldwide...
conferred by the PMI® (Project Management InstituteProject Management InstituteThe Project Management Institute is a not-for-profit professional organization for the project management profession with the purpose of advancing project management.- Overview :...
) - CAPM® Certified Associate in Project ManagementCertified Associate in Project ManagementCertified Associate in Project Management is a credential offered by the Project Management Institute . As of July 2009, there were 8,976 active CAPM certified individuals worldwide....
conferred by the PMI® (Project Management InstituteProject Management InstituteThe Project Management Institute is a not-for-profit professional organization for the project management profession with the purpose of advancing project management.- Overview :...
) - PgMP® Program Management ProfessionalProgram Management ProfessionalProgram Management Professional is a credential offered by Project Management Institute to certify individuals as having requisite experience in program management...
conferred by the PMI® (Project Management InstituteProject Management InstituteThe Project Management Institute is a not-for-profit professional organization for the project management profession with the purpose of advancing project management.- Overview :...
)
Experience-based
- CPM® (Certified Project Manager) conferred by PMLG - Project Management Leadership Group, Inc
Security
- ASIS InternationalASIS InternationalASIS International , headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a professional organization for security managers....
administers the Certified Protection Professional - Board-Certified in Security Management (CPP) - ASIS InternationalASIS InternationalASIS International , headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a professional organization for security managers....
administers the Physical Security Professional, Board-CertifiedPhysical Security ProfessionalA Physical Security Professional is a certification process for individuals involved in the physical security of organizations. This certification process is offered by ASIS International...
(PSP) - ASIS InternationalASIS InternationalASIS International , headquartered in Alexandria, Va., is a professional organization for security managers....
administers the Professional Certified Investigator, Board-Certified (PCI) - Association of Certified Fraud ExaminersAssociation of Certified Fraud ExaminersEstablished in 1988 the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners is the professional organization that governs professional fraud examiners. Its activities include producing fraud information, tools and training. It also governs the professional designation of Certified Fraud Examiner...
administers the Certified Fraud ExaminerCertified Fraud ExaminerThe Certified Fraud Examiner is a credential awarded by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners . The ACFE association is the world's largest anti-fraud organization and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education...
(CFE) - International Foundation of Protection Officers administers the Certified Protection OfficerCertified Protection OfficerThe IFPO Board of Directors established and maintains a voluntary certification process based on current and valid standards that measure competency in the practice of private security for Security Officers...
(CPO) - Society of Payment Security Professionals (SPSP) administers the Certified Payment-Card Industry Security ManagerCertified Payment-Card Industry Security ManagerCertified Payment-Card Industry Security Manager ' is an independent payments industry certification governed by the Society of Payment Security Professionals . The CPISM is the de facto certification for payment security professionals...
- The Loss Prevention FoundationLoss Prevention Foundation- The Loss Prevention Foundation :The Loss Prevention Foundation is a professional 501 organization founded by industry leading professionals to serve the retail loss prevention and security management industries...
administers the LPQualified (LPQ) and LPCertified (LPC) credentials
Policing (Australia & NZ)
- MAIPOL - Member of the Australian Institute of Policing
- FAIPOL - Fellow of the Australian Institute of Policing
- CPP - Certified Police Practitioner
Other applications
- The American Academy of Environmental EngineersAmerican Academy of Environmental EngineersThe American Academy of Environmental Engineers is a society of professional engineers who have demonstrated special expertise in environmental engineering beyond that normally required for professional practice, in a process similar to what is required for medical and other professional specialty...
board certifies licensed environmental engineers (Board Certified Environmental Engineer—BCEE) and unlicensed environmental engineering practitioners (Board Certified Environmental Engineering Member—BCEEM) for those with a degree in engineering and at least 8 years of practice and responsible charge in environmental engineering. - The Institute of Professional Environmental Practice certifies qualified environmental professionals (QEP) who have a degree in physical, earth or natural science, engineering or mathematics and at least 5 years of professional environmental work experience.
- The Council-certified Indoor Environmental Consultant (CIEC) certification covers a wide range of indoor environmental qualityEnvironmental healthEnvironmental health is the branch of public health that is concerned with all aspects of the natural and built environment that may affect human health...
disciplines focusing on managing indoor environmental quality in relation to building design, maintenance and operations to ensure an optimal environment for building occupants. - The Canadian National Association of Infrared Imaging TechnologistsCanadian National Association of Infrared Imaging TechnologistsThe Canadian National Association of Infrared Imaging Technologists is a Canadian not-for-profit professional association concerned with maintaining high standards of service delivery, training, and continued education of infrared imaging thermographers...
(AIIT) awards the IIT designation to infrared thermographers who meet the training standards regulated by the association. AIIT aims to ensure service delivery standards and public trust through regulating training standards, codes of conduct and continuing education. - The National Commission for the Certification of Crane OperatorsNational Commission for the Certification of Crane OperatorsThe National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators is a non-profit 501 organization in the United States that develops and administers nationally accredited, third-party professional certification programs for crane operators, riggers, and signalpersons.Established in January 1995,...
administers ANSI-accredited certification programs for operators of mobile, tower, overhead, and articulating cranes, riggers, signal persons, and crane inspectors. - The Society for Technical CommunicationSociety for Technical CommunicationThe Society for Technical Communication is a professional society for the advancement of the theory and practice of technical communication.-Overview:...
(STC) is planning to create a certification program for technical writersTechnical communicationTechnical communication is a method of researching and creating information about technical processes or products directed to an audience through media. The information must be relevant to the intended audience. Technical communicators often work collaboratively to create products for various...
in 2011. - The National Association of Legal Fee Analysis provides certification for professionals who specialize in attorney fee and legal billing matters.
Criticisms
Computer technologiesThe current proliferation of IT certifications (both offered and attained), like the FSI's IT baseline protection
IT baseline protection
- Overview :The term baseline security is used in various contexts with somewhat different meanings. For example:* Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer: Software tool focused on Microsoft operating system and services security...
certification, has led some technologists to question their value. Proprietary content that has been distributed on the Internet allows some to gain credentials without the implied depth or breadth of expertise. Certifying agencies have responded in various ways: Some now incorporate hands-on elements, anti-cheating methodologies or have expanded their content. Others have expired and restructured their certificate programs, and/or raised their fees to deter abuse.
Certification programs that take into account length of service, and demonstrated experience, via industry peer and/or employer recommendation avoid some of the issues associated with purely passing an examinations; however, certification remains a contentious issue.
Also, some professional certifications require a criminal record check for the certification to be approved. The presence of a criminal history when applying for certification may be grounds for denial of certification.
See also
- Academic InflationAcademic InflationAcademic inflation is the process of inflation of the minimum job requirement, resulting in an excess of college-educated individuals with lower degrees competing for too few jobs that require these degrees and even higher, preferred qualifications...
- Product certificationProduct certificationProduct certification or product qualification is the process of verifying that a certain product has passed performance tests and quality assurance tests or qualification requirements stipulated in contracts, regulations, or specifications...
- European professional qualification directivesEuropean professional qualification directivesThere are two main European legal instruments covering the mutual recognition of professional qualifications: Directive 89/48/EEC and Directive 92/51/EEC....
- HomologationHomologationHomologation is a technical term, derived from the Greek homologeo for "to agree", which is generally used in English to signify the granting of approval by an official authority...
- Maintenance of Certification
- Nursing board certification
- Certified Management ConsultantCertified Management ConsultantCertified management consultant is an international professional certification for management consulting professionals, awarded by institutes in 46 countries . The CMC enjoys global reciprocity; consultants certified in one country are recognized in most other countries...
- An alphabetical listing of Professional certifications
- Professional Certification User Templates Category Pages
- Requirements for becoming a presidentRequirements for becoming a presidentQualifications and requirements to become a president in different countries of the world.-Afghanistan:The 2004 Constitution, Article 62, provides that a presidential candidate must be a citizen of Afghanistan and of no other nation; Muslim and born of Afghan parents; at least 40 years old at the...