ENSURING THE QUALITY OF CREDENTIALS

Peg Harrison CEOPediatric Nursing Certification Board

Certification Programs

NCCA Definition:

A Certification Program is comprised of the standards, policies, procedures, assessment instruments and related products and activities through which individuals are publicly identified as qualified in a profession, occupation, role or skill.

Certification vs. Certificate Programs

The primary purpose of a certificate program is instruction/training. The intent of a certificate program is to provide instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, or competencies.

The primary purpose of a certification program is to assess knowledge, skills or competencies that candidates are expected to have already mastered prior to applying for the program.

Accreditation

NCCA’s Mission is to help ensure the health, welfare and safety of the public through accreditation of certification programs that assess professional competence.

Accreditation

NCCA’s 21 Standards address:

Purpose, governance and resources Responsibilities to stakeholders Assessment instruments Recertification

Accreditation

NCCA accredits certification programs (exams) and not certification organizations.

NCCA was the first accreditation board to be recognized by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

PNCB was the first nursing certification board to have its programs accredited by NCCA.

Key Elements Evaluated

Fairness, objectivity and due process Autonomy from undue influence Stakeholder involvement Public transparency on policies and procedures Confidentiality Maintenance of a list of certified individuals with

their scores and provision of verification of certification

Key Elements Evaluated

Security Validity and reliability of assessment

instruments Different forms of an assessment tool

assess equivalent content and are equated for difficulty

Exam Administration: Equivalency across administration types.

Recertification: Does it measure or enhance continued competency? Rationale for interval.

Certification Process

Needs Assessment Role Delineation Survey Item writing Development of forms Cut-points Beta testing Pretesting Psychometric analysis

Accreditation Process

Certifying organization decides which accreditor Submission of supporting data to meet all Standards Pays the accreditor Once accredited, may use a special logo on print

materials and website Requirement to submit an annual report Formal reaccreditation review occurs every 5 years

Accreditation Process

Why would a program not be accredited?

Too new, needing several years of statistics to establish validity and reliability of the instruments.

New program currently under review: Can take several months to a year if there are questions.

May not be able to meet all standards.

What does accreditation mean?

To the certification organization: Our activities have been validated against a rigorous,

respected industry standard. Our processes undergo regular reviews by a third-

party.

To the profession: An accredited certification

program has been vetted by a higher authority and is worthy of our respect.

What does accreditation mean?

To the employer: An accredited certification program offers

reassurance when I encourage employees to seek its credential.

Certification from an accredited program provides a legitimate basis to determine professional advancement for hiring, retention or promotion.

To the employee: An accredited certification program is trustworthy.

I would be proud to earn their credential.

What does accreditation mean?

To the consumer: The services I receive from this board’s certificants

have meet a stringent national standard. The services will be of the highest quality and can be

trusted.

To the military: This certification program has undergone a thorough

and ongoing review for fairness and quality and does not disadvantage any group that meets eligibility requirements.