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Certification vs. Certificate

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

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