Technical Communication Certification 1

What is certification? The process through which an organization grants recognition to an individual... [who] meets certain established criteria. “Certificate” versus “certification” “Certification” versus “licensure” “Licensure” versus “accreditation” 2

Certification and professions A profession is marked by three attributes: A unique body of knowledge A code of ethics Certification of qualified practitioners 3

Certification milestones First discussed in 1964 First sanctioned work: Ad Hoc Committee on Certification in 1975 Membership surveys: 1975, 1981, 1983, 1984, 1995, 1997 Certification RFP issued in 1985; response not pursued Feasibility study commissioned in 1998 Began work on Body of Knowledge (BOK) in 2007 Benchmarking report on professions in 2008 Value proposition adopted in 2009 Certification program approved by Board on 30 April

Certification drivers Legitimize the contributions of, and respect for, our profession Establish uniform worldwide performance standards Increase the employability and salary of certified practitioners Satisfy employers’ expectations Reduce hiring risk for employers Bring in non-dues revenue for the Society 5

Guiding principles Certification is voluntary Certification focuses on uniform areas of practice where technical communicators provide unique value Applicants must meet prerequisites to be eligible for certification Applicants must demonstrate knowledge, skills, and experience Assessment involves a variety of methods A core certification provides the basis for certification growth Applicants must agree to adhere to the STC Code of Ethics Opportunities are provided to applicants for remediation Once granted, certification must be maintained 6

Areas of practice 1. User, task, and experience analysis 2. Information design 3. Process management 4. Information development 5. Information production 6. Review coordination and reconciliation 7

Example of salary impact 8

Value to employers 9 Employers find that certified professionals are more often competent and successful than uncertified ones Employers spend less to hire, train, and replace certified employees Therefore, employers seek out and pay more for certified professionals

Fee schedule (TBD) ISPI: $995 The Data Warehousing Institute: $975 ASTD: $799 Human Factors International: $750 IEEE: $645 STC online certificate course $595 (member) APMP: $450 ASQ: $450 IIBA: $450 PMI: $405 Accreditation in Public Relations: $385 ABC: $320 AMWA (certificate): $275 BELS: $ Consider these association fees:

Application packet 11 Résumé or curriculum vitae Attestation from you and your client (boss) Signed Code of Ethics Work samples and artifacts Accounts (stories) of projects

Evaluation process Several sessions per year Application screened by STC office Packet examined by three trained evaluators (who receive honoraria) Under non-disclosure Each evaluator looks at three packets (evaluator-applicant ratio is 1:1) Evaluate against established criteria Results: 3–0 vote: certify 2–1 vote: return for clarification 1–2 or 0–3 vote: reject 12

Certification and BOK The STC BOK is being fleshed out It will become the basis for future examinations It will become the basis for future specialty certifications 13

Steven Jong, RTFM Certificate Plaque Pin Logo Designation Listing on Web site Certification marks 14

Certification and degree Certification assesses both what you know and what you’ve done However, a technical communication degree (or equivalent) is a solid foundation to becoming certified 15

If you can’t demonstrate/don’t know an area Use completed projects, not current ones Use samples from previous jobs Redact samples Do the case study instead Take a class first 16

Expanding beyond writers Specialty certifications (future) Requires BOK Opportunity for partnerships 17

Maintaining certification Certification is good for three years To maintain it, continue your education to maintain current skills or learn new skills, and stay active in field Reapplication packet contains fee and proof of course attendance Screened by STC office Results: Recertify or return 18

Only STC has the international reach to offer international certification We can use the same model internationally Requires the BOK We must revalidate our work outside the North American market International certification 19

To learn more or help out STC Certification Committee Steven Jong, 20