What’s the difference between a certificate and a certification?
What is a certificate?
Certificates are a type of credential that acknowledges the completion of coursework. Certificates can be valuable for personal or professional development, but they hold far less weight than certifications. Certificate programs are not based on job-task-analysis and they do not have work experience requirements. Certificates are not time-limited, not revokable, and do not require holders to demonstrate continued competence. Any training or education organization can create a certificate program.
What is a certification?
Certifications are a type of credential that people earn to demonstrate their expertise and competence in a specific skill or field. Unlike certificates, certifications are not just about completing a course; they represent a deeper level of understanding and ability. Certifications are highly valued in the workplace and can be a key factor in hiring decisions and career advancement. Certifications reflect a person’s expertise and commitment.
Certification programs require passing a certification exam after completing specific education/training requirements. Certification exams assess an individual’s knowledge and skills against rigorous standards. Certification competency domains are established by conducting extensive job-task-analysis to determine relevant knowledge and skills. Certifications also have work experience requirements. Certifications are time-limited, revokable, and require holders to demonstrate continued competence to retain their certified status.
Certification programs are ONLY administered by credentialing bodies. For example, the Project Management Institute is the credentialing body for the Project Management Professional (PMP) certification. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the credentialing body for 12 different tech certifications.
Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP) is the credentialing body for the Resilience-Building Leadership Professional series of leadership certifications. Our certified leaders know how to build and lead resilient teams. Since our founding in 2018, we have issued thousands of leadership certifications to new, experienced, and senior managers working in a wide variety of for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations.
What is a credential?
As discussed above, certifications and certificates are two types of credentials. Degrees, licenses, and digital badges are also credentials.
Academic degrees awarded by colleges and universities are probably the most recognized category of credentials. Degrees signify that an individual has completed a specified academic program of study. Degrees are essential for career advancement in many fields and are highly valued in both the academic and professional worlds.
Licenses are a type of credential usually granted by governmental agencies and provide legal authority to work in certain professions and trades, such as medicine, law, plumbing, and electrical. Obtaining a license generally requires passing state or national examinations and meeting other regulatory requirements.
The newest category of credentials is digital badges. Badges can symbolize a wide variety of achievements, skills, qualities, or interests. Badges are increasingly used in both educational and professional contexts as a means to communicate achievements and competencies.
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