WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT-BASED CERTIFICATION?

Professional certification is a voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants a limited-time recognition to an individual after verifying that they have met a set of predetermined and standardized criteria. The certification program identifies practitioners who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform a particular job in the specific industry as determined by industry experts. To retain the credential, certificates must maintain continued competence. Assessment-based certification is a training course; at completion, attendees take a test on what they are supposed to have learned. Certification is not awarded and there are no continuing education requirements. The use of letters, acronyms and the word “certified” are reserved to holders of professional certifications as defined in the standard.