How Professional Certificates Can Help Jump-Start Your Career

Professional certification is a process by which a person develops the knowledge, experience, and skills to perform a specific job. Once the individual completes a course of study, he or she receives a certificate earned by passing an exam that is accredited by an organization or association that monitors and upholds prescribed standards for the particular industry involved. The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is a leader in setting quality standards for credentialing organizations.

A wide variety of industries and careers offer professional certification, from highly technical jobs and human services of all kinds to jobs in the arts, including ballroom dancing. In each case, the certificate assures employers, customers, students, and the public that the certificate holder is competent and professional.

In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment or practice. Doctors, teachers, Certified Public Accountants (CPAs), and pilots are examples.

What’s in It for You?

Professional certification shows employers and clients that you are committed to your profession and are well-trained. It gives them confidence in your abilities because it proves that your skills have been evaluated and approved by a well-regarded professional organization. Certification makes you more valuable to employers and so you can expect to:

• Enjoy better employment and advancement opportunities
• Have a competitive advantage over candidates without certificates
• Earn higher wages
• Receive tuition reimbursement for continuing education

A Sampling of Careers Requiring Certification

Many of the careers that require certification are represented here at About.com. Below is a list of articles on various types of certifications. In the end, there is also a link to the list of NOCA member organizations that require certificates. It offers an interesting glance at the various types of industries from which to choose if you’re uncertain about which certificate you want.

• Certified Meeting Professional
• Coast Guard Captain’s License
• Culinary Arts Certificates
• Database Certifications
• Desktop Publishing Certification
• ESL Certification
• Graphic Design
• Interior Decorating
• Landscaping Certificate Programs
• Logistics and Supply Chain Management
• Paralegal certificates
• Professional Counseling
• Professional Massage Therapy
• Professional Studies Certificate in Opera
• Real estate
• Retail Certification
• Specialist Certificate for Sign Language Interpreters
• Technology Certification Glossary
• Highest paying jobs in the technology industry

Read More

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NOCA’s list of member organizations

State Certification Requirements

Many of the professions that require or offer certification are governed by the state in which the certificate holder practices. Your school or association will help you understand these requirements, but you can also find them at each state’s government website. Search for: http://www.state.your two-letter state code here.us/.

Example: http://www.state.ny.us/.

On the home page for your state, search for certifications.

Choosing the Best School

There are almost as many requirements for earning a certificate as there are fields requiring them, so how you go about becoming certified has everything to do with what kind of certificate you want and what you want to do with it. First, know the differences between all the different types of schools so you can choose the right school for you.

Begin your search by visiting the websites of the associations and organizations that govern or accredit the schools in the field you have chosen. On the Internet, search for the name of your field and associations, organizations, and schools:

• Search: nursing associations results in the American Nurses Association
• Search: pilot associations results in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association
• Search: CPA organizations results in the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
• Search: project management schools results in both directories like the Trade Schools Directory and specific schools such as the Project Management Institute at Capella University

Online Schools

If you think an online school would work best for you because of the flexibility it provides, read up on online certificates before you choose a school.

Financial Aid

Paying for school is a concern for many students. Loans, grants, and scholarships are available. Do your homework before going to school:

• Paying for Business School
• FAFSA
• Sallie Mae's Scholarship Search

Continuing Education

Most professional certifications require that certificate holders complete a certain number of hours of continuing education annually or bi-annually in order to remain current. The number of hours varies by state and field. Notices are generally sent out by the governing state and/or association, as is literature advertising continuing education opportunities, conferences, and conventions.

Make the Most of Continuing Education Conferences

Many professional associations gather their members yearly in the form of conferences, conventions, and/or trade shows to provide continuing education seminars, to discuss the state of the profession and new best practices, and to showcase the latest products and services. Networking at these gatherings can be extremely valuable to professionals.