Accreditation, certification, credentialing, licensing…with all of the professional certifications out there, it can be hard to keep everything straight.
Oftentimes, accreditation and certification are grouped together. But in reality, these quality assurance checks are very distinct in their meaning, processes, and outcomes.
First, let’s go over the specifics of both accreditation and certification. Then, we can uncover the key differences between the two.
Accreditation occurs when an organization is recognized for meeting a predetermined set of professional standards.
Oftentimes, you see accreditation in the education sector, as colleges and universities work to become accredited by an outside agency. This type of accreditation means that a college or university met the recognized standards of education. It is also often used as a show of their program’s quality.
There are a number of higher education accreditors in the U.S. While these are non-governmental organizations, they have all been approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the United States Department of Education (USDE).
This designation not only appeals to potential students of accredited organizations, but it is also essential for legal processes. For example, institutions must be accredited to receive federal funds or state grants. Students are also required to attend an accredited institution to be qualified for loans or tuition assistance.
Healthcare organizations and laboratories are also often subject to accreditation in order to operate under the proper regulatory guidelines. Third-party accreditation can demonstrate an organization’s quality of care and help it stand out among any competition.
Accreditation for healthcare systems usually involves a comprehensive review or organization, policies, practices, and legal compliance.
In a laboratory setting, labs will seek accreditation to perform certain tests. This accreditation doesn’t mean that the products of the lab work are certified. Instead, it only verifies the methods and practices used by the lab.
Accreditors like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have set the standard for business accreditation. A business that is accredited by the BBB has met their standards, many of which are focused on resolving consumer complaints.
The BBB charges a fee to conduct a third-party review of a business. This review includes an examination of their operations to check for compliance with BBB’s “Standards for Trust.”
There is also growing accreditation within the non-profit community, which offers a standard for non-profit best practices. These can set benchmarks for ethics, finances, and representation within the industry.
Sometimes, an accreditation will become so widespread that achieving the designation is necessary for an organization to operate. Overall, accreditation is a signal that an organization has met the industry standards, legal or otherwise.
Certification is the process of endorsing an individual’s skills or knowledge through a third-party source. The certification process typically involves an exam, and requires ongoing and future maintenance.
This is to say that certification is not a one-and-done process. Instead, it must be maintained over the course of a career.
Certification (also referred to as credentialing) is offered through associations or credentialing bodies. Professionals can achieve credentials by meeting these organization’s standards and passing a certification exam.
Certification typically requires professionals to submit their education and work histories. They also must take a test or participate in continuing education to prove competency.
Certifications and credentials are key in maintaining industry standards through individual competencies. They also provide career development and skill-building opportunities for professionals in every field.
The main differences between accreditation and certification lie in a few key areas:
For example, accreditation does not apply to individuals. Accreditations are given to companies, organizations, or institutions whose operations meet a set of pre-determined standards. An accreditation will often legitimize an organization within an industry.
Certifications, on the other hand, are provided to the individual. By becoming certified, professionals gain an objective measure of their competency and establish authority within a specific industry.
Who is performing the accreditations and certifications also differs slightly. Oftentimes, accreditation is performed by a governmental agency, or a group of accrediting bodies are approved by a federal body.
Credentials and certifications, however, can be provided by a number of different organizations. Non-governmental agencies, industry boards, or associations will typically offer certification programs to their constituents. Different employers or industries may prefer certain certifying boards, so it’s always important to check.
Finally, accreditation and certification differ in how their designations are acquired. In the end, they both provide a third-party recognition of competency. However, the processes leading up to this recognition are varied.
Certification and credentialing timelines place the onus on the individual to perform and pass exams. Professionals seeking certification must register through an association or credentialing board, qualify for an exam, and pass that certification exam. Even after the test-taking portion, individuals still must work to maintain their new credentials.
Accreditation processes, however, rely not on an exam, but a review process. Organizations will elect to a review or audit by an accreditor or accrediting body.
For organizations that run accreditation or certification programs, the management of these professional designations can get tricky. There are many logistical steps required to receive accreditation, certification, or credential. For example, individuals or organizations must:
All of this information will add up very quickly, making it nearly impossible to organize using manual processes. For accreditation and certifying bodies, it’s crucial to utilize a comprehensive management software.
Association management systems (AMS) will often have built-in software to regulate processes for membership-based organizations. This sort of credentialing management is perfect for associations that offer certification opportunities for their members.
Organizations that strictly run certification or accreditation programs can take advantage of credentialing or accreditation management systems. This software is specifically designed for these types of processes.
ACGI’s enterprise-class credentialing management software, Certelligence, automates workflows and expedites certification and accreditation timelines. Certelligence helps organizations process candidate applications, manage renewals, and be more responsive to constituents overall.
Certification and accreditation systems transform operations, empowering organizations to move away from manual processes and information silos.
ACGI Software has helped customers gain measurable improvements in constituent experience and return on investment. By centralizing data into a single, easy to use system, every stakeholder reaps the benefits.
So, in the question of accreditation vs. certification–the key truly lies in the organizational systems that back them up.
Ready to dive into the world of credentialing? Start with this blog: What is Credentialing Management Software?
To learn more about how ACGI software can help your association, credentialing body, or industry agency–visit our Solutions page.
