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

2. 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

3. 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

4. Presenter Background Ronald E. Hanchar, MBA President and CEO
Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC
Ph:
Website:
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) and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

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

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

7. 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

8. 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

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

10. 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

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

12. 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)

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

14. 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

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

16. Understanding Differences (Examples)

17. 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!

18. Steps in Developing a Quality Certification Program

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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)

28. 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!

29. 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.

30. 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

31. 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

32. 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

33. The Importance of Third Party Accreditation

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. 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-

38. Ron Hanchar, MBA Speaker Info President and CEO
Hanchar Consulting Services, LLC
Cell: (219)
Web Site: