The advantages of certification for higher visibility, opportunities, and jobs.

Certification can lead to better visibility, opportunities, and jobs. In today's increasingly complex and highly-specialized economy, credentials are so important. Sure, you know you've got the skills to do the job, but how do you convince potential customers and employers you do?  For many career-minded professionals, certification is often the answer.

Potential benefits to the Field

• Standardizes practices and/or standards within an industry
• Advances the specialty/field
• Increases cooperation between organizations in the same discipline
• Provides a means for an industry to self-regulate

Potential benefits to those with current Certification

• Grants recognition of knowledge and skills by a third party
• Enhances professional reputation Provides personal accomplishment
• Supports continued professional development
• Demonstrates a high level of commitment to the field of practice
• Demonstrates a specific level of knowledge and skill Increases opportunities for career advancement and/or increased earnings
• Can validate skills and knowledge
• Could communicate credibility
• Serves as a differentiator in a competitive job market

Potential benefits to the Employers

• Improves customer satisfaction Increases competence level of employees
• Useful in making employment decisions
• Provides professional development opportunities for employees
• Ongoing enhancement of knowledge and skills Increases confidence in employees abilities
• Demonstrates employers acommitment to competence
• Could provide means to establish and enforce an ethical code
• Can provide compliance with industry regulation/ government requirements Increases safety

 Potential benefits to the Public

• Standardizes practice and/or standards within an industry
• Advances the specialty/field and increases cooperation between organizations in the same discipline
• Provides a means for an industry to self-regulate
• Helps in identifying qualified service providers Increases confidence in service providers Provides disciplinary process to follow in case of complaints