Ensuring the Quality of Credentials [Notes to trainer: For detailed help in customizing this template, see the very last slide. Also, look for additional lesson text in the notes pane of some slides. Because this presentation contains a Macromedia Flash animation, saving the template may cause a warning message to appear regarding personal information. Unless you add information to the properties of the Flash file itself, this warning does not apply to this presentation. Click OK on the message.] Peg Harrison CEO Pediatric 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 Presence of code of ethics and public complaint procedure Confidentiality 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 board 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.

For more information Contact PNCB at pncb@pncb.org or visit the NCCA website at: http://www.credentialingexcellence.org/ncca