The Value of Accreditation and Certification May 2017 Presented by Ron Hanchar, MBA President and CEO, Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC © 2017 Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC all rights reserved

Session Overview Learning Objectives Presenter Background Terminology Understanding Differences (Examples) Steps in Developing and Maintaining a Quality Certification Program The Importance of Third Party Accreditation Employee Benefits Employer Benefits © 2017 Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC all rights reserved

Learning Objectives At the conclusion of this session participants should be able to: Understand the differences between certification, licensure, accreditation and certificate programs Recognize what constitutes a quality certification program Understand the role 3rd party accreditation organizations play in assuring the quality of a certification program Understand the benefits of certification from an employer perspective Understand the benefits of certification from an employee perspective

Presenter Background Ronald E. Hanchar, MBA President and CEO Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC Ph: 219-484-6342 Email: hancharconsulting@gmail.com Website: www.hancharconsulting.com Experience: In previous roles as Executive Director and Director, managed all aspects of certification governance, program development, operations, and maintenance for several certifying organizations. In-depth knowledge and understanding of third-party accreditation of certification programs. Previous Elected Commissioner for NCCA reviewing applications submitted for accreditation and currently serving on the ICE Accreditation Council. Worked with a number of certification organizations, helping them apply for and obtaining third party accreditation for certification programs through the International Standard Organization (ISO) 17024 and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

The Testing World…let’s throw around some terms! Terminology The Testing World…let’s throw around some terms!

So what’s the difference and does it matter? Terminology Certification Licensure Certificate Accreditation So what’s the difference and does it matter?

Terminology Credential – Designation earned upon successful completion of requirements for certification Designation – A description given for recognition of an achievement or position Certificant – One who has earned and currently holds a certification credential Certificate Holder – One who has successfully completed the requirements of a certification or licensure program Candidate – Individual wishing to obtain certification Student – Individual wishing to obtain achievement through education which includes certificate programs Applicant – One wishing to attain achievement through a certification or certificate program

Certification: Terminology Certification is a comprehensive assessment of an individual's knowledge, skills/experience, and abilities based on a body of knowledge pertaining to a profession or occupation. Certification is valid for a specific time period and involves recertification at the expiry of the stated period. Additionally: Usually not required on a national level in order to practice Managed/governed by certification agency Can be for profit or not-for-profit

Proof of Completing Requirements for Certification in a Profession Terminology Proof of Completing Requirements for Certification in a Profession

Licensure: Terminology Licensure, as with certification, may be a comprehensive assessment of an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities based on a body of knowledge pertaining to a profession or occupation. Licensure, however, is usually regulated and may be required by law in order to be able to practice in a particular profession or occupation. Licensure is usually valid for a specific time period involves some sort of proof of continued competence. Additionally: In most cases, required on a national or state level in order to practice Managed/governed by government regulated boards Usually government funded or not-for-profit

Proof of Completing Requirements for Licensure in a Profession Terminology Proof of Completing Requirements for Licensure in a Profession

Certificate: Terminology (Con’t) A Certificate program emphasizes learning events and coursework completion. Certificates are generally issued for life. Additionally: May or may not be required in order practice (may be required by employer or to perform a specialization within a practice) Usually the successful completion of a training program or LMS, in a specialization within a specific industry. Individuals may not have background in specialty when entering learning event. Governed/managed/created by an educational organization (broadly defined)

Proof of Completing Coursework, Training, etc., in a Specialization Terminology (Con’t) Proof of Completing Coursework, Training, etc., in a Specialization

Accreditation: Terminology (Con’t) Accreditation is the formal declaration by a neutral third party that the certification program is administered in a way that meets relevant norms or standards. Third party accreditors accredit programs and not the organization. Additionally: Usually an independent regulatory agency, could be private or public Provides an independent unbiased assessment and audit of certifying organization’s certification programs

Terminology (Con’t) Accreditation: Some examples of third-party accrediting agencies

Understanding Differences (Examples)

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Lets develop a certification program, we’re the experts…We can write some questions on cocktail napkins over drinks!

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Research Conduct market research Compile information to determine skills required for certification Course content domains, tasks and knowledges pertinent to certification SME input (Instructors, internal SME staff) Define what a minimally competent certificant should look like Develop draft content outline with anticipated tasks and knowledges required to perform job

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Job Task Analysis (JTA) Establish SME criteria that will be required to Recruit SMEs assuring that they meet specific predetermined criteria Conduct meeting of SMEs to review and finalize: Content outline (Domains, Tasks and Knowledges) Definition of minimally competent candidate Develop survey tool to: Determine importance and frequency of domains, tasks and knowledges in job. Gather demographic candidate data

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Job Task Analysis (JTA) Con’t. Conduct JTA (Survey population) Conduct follow up meeting of SMEs to review results of JTA data to: Determine content outline (Domains, Tasks and Knowledges) Define the minimally competent candidate Determine eligibility criteria Determine weighting of content areas Determine cognitive levels

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Content Outline/Exam Blueprint Internal editing, finalizing Board Approval Publish/make available to Instructors, Students, Exam Candidates, etc.

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Item Development/Review Item writer/reviewer selection criteria Determine eligibility criteria for item writers/reviewers Confidentiality/conflict of interest agreements Solicit, screen and select item writers/reviewers Conduct item writer/reviewer workshop Remote or face-to-face Train item writers/reviewers Writing and reviewing items Finalizing items and entering into item bank

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Exam Construction Determine exam specifications Compile new exam forms based on content outline SME to review new exam forms to assure item content is appropriate Assure that items meet criteria established in JTA (weightings and cognitive levels) Check for cluing and duplication of similar items Final editing and form implementation

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Exam Delivery Format Paper and Pencil Internet-based Computer-based Administration Setting up secure test sites Test vendor based Parameters for delivery Determine method of obtaining item performance data P&P CBP Internet

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Scoring Setting the scoring standard Select Expert Panel (SMEs) Conduct preliminary item analysis Conduct item rating study Determine cut score (pass/fail determination) “Grade” candidates who participated in item performance study Provide scores to candidates sitting for the exam once the cut score standard has been set

Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program Certification Maintenance Periodic analysis of exam item data (validity of exam) Establishing criteria to assure continued competency (recertification)

The Importance of Third Party Accreditation Our certification program is good enough. Who cares if we meet the “Gold Standard”? It takes too much work and its way too expensive!

The Importance of Third Party Accreditation Introducing the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)…What is it? Nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its 24 Standards. Help ensure the health, welfare, and safety of the public through the accreditation of certification programs that assess professional competence. Provides the public and other stakeholders the means by which to identify certification programs that serve their competency assurance needs in a profession.

The Importance of Third Party Accreditation Introducing the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)…Why is it important? (Con’t) Provides an external unbiased review of certification programs to assure that they meet certain standards of practice May be required or looked upon by third party regulators (government and non-government) as the “gold standard” Accreditation provides evidence that a certification program has undergone a rigorous process that many other programs are unable to complete

The Importance of Third Party Accreditation NCCA accreditation…What is the criteria for accreditation? Certification program has to be up and running for a year or have tested at least 500 candidates Compliance with 24 standards and 115 essential elements: Standards 1-5: Purpose, governance and resources Standards 6-12: Responsibilities to stakeholders Standards 13-21: Exam development, administration, scoring and analysis Standards 22-24: Maintaining certification, QA, and maintaining accreditation

The Importance of Third Party Accreditation NCCA accreditation…What is the review process? Submit completed application to NCCA* Initial review by NCCA staff Review by contracted reviewers Inquiries sent to submitter Submitter responds to reviewers NCCA staff and contracted reviewers approve responses (or not) Sent to NCCA for final decision Final decision made First time applicants: Accredit for 5 years or denial Re-accreditation applicants: Accredit 5 years, accredit 1 year (resolution of compliance issues), denial *3 submission dates/year: 1/31, 4/31 and 8/31

The Importance of Third Party Accreditation http://www.credentialingexcellence.org/d/do/1817

Employer Benefits of Hiring Certified Employees Ensure that competent employees are hired Ensure that those individuals hired have the skills and knowledges necessary to do the job As a result of hiring certified individuals which are generally better qualified, improvement to company’s overall ROI Allows employers to face their competition on an equal or even higher level playing field

Employee Benefits of Obtaining a Certification Career advancement opportunities Potentially higher wage earning opportunities More options in the workforce A mechanism to demonstrate competency and professionalism A competitive advantage over non-certified individuals and those who may have obtained certification from a non-accredited program Enhancement of professional reputation and prestige Demonstration of commitment to the field

Retail Certifications Who offers it? MaRC Shop! LPQ Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) RISEUP National Retail Federation Foundation (NRF) CPP (and 4 others) American Purchasing Society

Recap Alphabet soup. What’s the difference? Why is certification important? What does a quality certification program look like? Why is having third-party accreditation important for certification programs? How can having a certification help an employee? How can employees with certification help employers? RE-

Ron Hanchar, MBA Speaker Info President and CEO Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC Email: hancharconsulting@gmail.com Cell: (219) 484-6342 Web Site: www.hancharconsulting.com