Foundations

Professional Certification Defined Professional certification as discussed in this book is a formal process by which an individual (personnel) is evaluated against an established standard. The individual must voluntarily apply for and earn a professional certification from a recognized professional association or professional organization to ensure the individual has the desired education, work experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities for the designated job function. The process for professional certification must adhere to industry standards and guidelines outlined by certifying agencies and should be recognized by the profession as a preferred method. Achieving professional certification requires meeting specified criteria, including the successful completion of an assessment and fulfilling continuing education requirements.