Certification

4 May 2006

Certification, as defined in the APEX Industry Glossary, is the "program and process by which a participant completes proscribed training and passes an assessment." The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) defines it as "the voluntary process by which a non-governmental entity grants a time-limited recognition and use of a credential to an individual after verifying that he or she has met predetermined and standardized criteria." The Certification Program Development Guide (1999, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada) defines it as "a credential granted to a candidate upon demonstrating that he or she has met industry-specific requirements" and notes that "this involves education requirements, a minimum number of years of specific experience, and successful completion of a certification examination based on a set of occupational standards."

Many industry organizations offer certifications, some of which are listed below, and many organizations and academic institutions offer certificates in various types of events management. There are also hundreds of commercial "certification" and "certificate" programs, some of which offer inexpensive and virtually instant credentials. It is important to recognize that credentialing (certification or certificate) programs that are not affiliated with a recognized industry association or accredited academic institution often lack credibility in the marketplace.

When considering which credential you wish to pursue, the assessment factors should include:

• the credentials (accreditation or affiliation) of the organization offering the certification or certificate

• the requirement of significant practical industry experience in order to pursue the credential

• the scope and rigor of the training process (materials, courses, etc.) if applicable

• the scope and rigor of the assessment process (examination, etc.)

• the requirement for re-certification (for certifications) on a periodic basis

Certification or certificate credentials in the events industry should not be quick and easy to attain. The organization offering the certification  designation must provide a program that covers the depth of knowledge and measure of ability necessary to certify expertise in this responsibility-laden profession.

Click here for an example of a certification program competency blueprint.

Event Industry Certifications*

* Please note that this list is primarily U.S.-based, and it is not comprehensive. If you wish to suggest other credentialing organizations (academic, association, or commercial) for inclusion, please email me.