The Processes and Requirements for Developing and Maintaining a Certification Program for Safety Professionals

摘要

Certification is one of various types of formal recognition programs, which are often collectively referred to as "credentialing." Certification is a voluntary process through which an organization confers recognition to qualified individuals after determining that they meet pre-established minimum standards of competency, including but not limited to passing a rigorous examination. While many practitioners in the Safety field may be familiar with programs of professional certification, most may not understand all that is involved in establishing and maintaining a reputable and sustainable program. Certification programs are operated as businesses. As such, they must be developed following a well-thought-out business plan. A worthwhile certification program must be run according to a governance plan by an organization with a clearly defined structure, a certification scheme, key staff and operations, and established policies and procedures. Examinations that are administered as part of a certification program are developed by subject matter experts, and examination results are subjected to statistical analysis. To be recognized as a high-quality certification, the program should be accredited on a recurring basis by a qualified third-party organization. Earning a high-quality certification offers value to certificants in many areas, including compensation, recognition, and personal satisfaction.