What Is a Certification?

Professional certifications are designated credentials offered by a company or organization to highlight candidates’ competence to perform a job. They are displayed as a document stating the individual has been trained, prepared, and educated to meet the specific criteria for the job role. Certifications are provided only when: 1) the course curriculum is completed, 2) proper assessments are made and administered, and 3) a recognized institution or third-party organization validates the certification.

Certifications should not be confused with certificates. A certificate acknowldges that you completed coursework. It is usually offered by an academic institution and takes a short window to complete - hours to days. A certification is issued after you have successfully completed an assessment by a authorized organization. No certification has withstood changing needs, times, and marketplaces more sturdily than the certified Project Management Professional (PMP).