Certification

Who Issues?	Optional/Required?	Unique Features	Key Requirements
Certifications awarded by non-governmental organizations – professional associations, private sector companies	Optional, but may be required by licensing boards or employers	Multiple certifications may exist from different organizations	May Include: Education Training Work Experience Exam(s)

 

Who Issues? Non-governmental agencies, associations, and even private sector companies may grant certifications to individuals who meet predetermined qualifications. These qualifications are generally set by professional associations (e.g., Electronics Technicians Association, International Master Certified Electronics Technician) or by industry and product-related organizations (e.g., Novell Certified Engineer).

Optional or Required? Certifications are typically optional, although some state licensure boards and some employers may require certification.

Unique Features For many occupations, more than one organization may offer similar certifications. Certifications may also be “stacked” meaning that there are multiple levels of certifications. Sometimes the lower level certification is a prerequisite to the higher level. In other cases, you can pursue the higher level certification without the lower level, if you meet other eligibility requirements.

You can get more information on COOL certifications related to a federal occupational on the COOL Summary Page in the section "National Certifications and/or Federal Licenses."