The Business of Certification: A Comprehensive Guide to Developing a Successful Program

This best-selling book, identified by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) as one of “Six Books You and Your Association Need,” is an in-depth, step-by-step guide to developing business, strategic, and marketing plans for certification programs. The main points of each chapter are illustrated with lessons learned from association executives who have designed new certification programs and re-engineered existing ones. To further provide a complete picture of the planning process from start to finish, the book introduces and then follows the progress of a hypothetical organization as it develops its professional certification program. Includes chapters on current hot topics in credentialing, such as global certification and transitioning to computer-based testing. The book is accompanied by a supplementary toolkit of 21 easy-to-use worksheets. 

Available through the ASAE bookstore.

Certification Appeal: Consider All the Angles Before Developing A Certification Program

This widely cited Association Management magazine cover story highlights key issues that should be uppermost on the minds of board members and senior staff when contemplating the development of a certification program. It discusses how to evaluate whether credentialing is the best vehicle for accomplishing your organization’s mission and goals and how to determine if, in fact, it is needed by the industry or profession. This publication also explains key legal issues and outlines the financial and staff resources needed to develop and maintain a certification program. The article is a useful supplement to our Designing Certification and Accreditation Programs publication. download PDF file

Personnel Certification: An Industry Scan

Findings from the first, comprehensive scan of the certification industry are presented in this research study report which compiles data obtained from 229 certification sponsors. This nationwide survey, which was jointly sponsored by K&AI and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), queried participants on such wide-ranging topics as requirements for initial certification and recertification, test formats marketing tactics, international credentialing, challenges and success factors related to managing a certification program, and future trends. The study gathered statistics heretofore unavailable to the certification community and the data obtained represent an invaluable benchmarking tool for program planning. 

Available from the American National Standards Institute.

Contact Sandro Shelia at sshelia@ansi.org or 202-331-3619. 

Designing Certification and Accreditation Programs

A valuable resource for organizations considering whether to develop a certification program, this book chapter contains a concise overview of different types of credentialing programs and their purposes, explains what these programs can and cannot accomplish, and describes key components of a high-quality certification program. A list of certification program resources and networking groups is included.  download PDF file

Practice Analysis: Building the Foundation for Validity

This book chapter summarizes legal and professional standards related to job analyses, describes the most common job analysis methodologies, and outlines a step-by-step approach for conducting job analysis studies. It includes answers to questions frequently asked by credential sponsors and a checklist for evaluating the services of technical consultants. download PDF file

Just-in-Time Credentials

A new form of credentialing, designed to provide a cost-effective response to credentialing needs that arise relatively quickly, is the focus of this American Society of Association Executives newsletter article. Following a description of the characteristics of successful just-in-time programs, the article discusses factors to consider when determining whether this form of credentialing is appropriate for accomplishing your organization’s goals and then concludes with advice from veteran developers of just-in-time credentials. download PDF file

Is Credentialing Right for Your Association?

What are the sound reasons to make credentialing a part of your association’s professional development activities? This American Society of Association Executives newsletter article provides the answer, as well as distinguishing between different types of credentialing options (e.g., certification vs. certificate) and explaining how you can ensure that your intended credentials will be credible, of high quality, and able to meet your market’s needs. download PDF file

Certification for the New Millennium: What Can We Expect as 2000 Approaches?

New business opportunities for certification sponsors are discussed in this American Society of Association Executives newsletter article. These opportunities include: (a) the development of just-in-time credentials which constantly evolve to adapt to rapid changes in industry trends and technology, (b) the integration of training and certification to meet industry needs for a skilled workforce, (c) start-to-finish online delivery of training and certification programs, (d) the development of in-house competencies in functions previously outsourced, and (e) the strategic use of program audits in the re-engineering and rejuvenation of credentialing programs. download PDF file