It is important to distinguish the proposed Certification from a Certificate. In summary:
Certification:
- includes an experience and education component
- requires passing an exam
- enabled a practitioner to put certification after his or her name (Web Management Professional, ie “WMP”)
- requires re-certification, as a means to demonstrating and ensuring that practitioners stay current in the field through a combination of continuing education and community engagement activities
Certificates:
- typically indicates attendance or completion of a course or series of courses with a specific focus
- are open to both newcomers and experienced professionals, with no requirement for established experience or education
- demonstrate knowledge of specific content at the end of a specific period of time or activity
| Certification | Certificate | |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Received for meeting a set of criteria
Passing an exam Educational and/or equivalent experience prerequisites Exam is highly controlled in administration and is continually updated/revised to meet current best practices Exam is developed in partnership with subject matter experts |
Received for completing a training course/session or activity
“Completion” does not indicate level of accomplishment beyond attendance |
| Awarded by | An established, independent, professional association that is not affiliated with any commercial enterprise selling training/preparatory materials | Educational institution or commercial entity |
| Recognizes | Subject mastery based on an objective Body of Knowledge (e.g., WMPBoK), which is developed and overseen by experts and objective job analysis | Completion of a course offered by a particular provider at a particular point in time, through a particular means (whether in person or online) |
| Source of the body of knowledge (BoK) | Professional organization members, recognized subject matter experts, and practitioners in this field
Subject to revision over time, with requirements to maintain current status |
Course content is developed by the provider and is only up-to-date relative to the point it is offered |
| Standards for granting | Rigorous exam questions
Standard grading structure applied systematically and consistently across all candidates Uses professional testing experts and methods via an unbiased, third-party offering Exams formally administered under prescribed conditions to ensure integrity |
Course content as demonstrated by student participation or provider’s method of assessing knowledge gained through the specified activity |
| Professional credentialing | Trademarked certifications can be used on personal materials such as business cards, resumes, professional listings in directories, etc.
Job postings may specifically require certain certifications to pre-qualify applicants |
N/A, although course completion can be listed on a resume or as part of completed training |
| Duration of credential | Must be renewed at specified intervals by demonstrating continued competency, reflecting knowledge/experience updates that have occurred since previous certification | N/A, since this is just confirmation that a specific activity was completed on a specified date |