tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-282712032011-11-16T11:42:23.940-05:00Credentialing Talk is a blog designed specifically for certification and licensure professionals. Our goal is to create a place for credentialing professionals to discuss trends, pose questions, seek advice, and share experiences from organizations that vary in size, scope, and industry.SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.comBlogger1011100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-84956256263649264832011-05-19T14:08:00.002-04:002011-05-19T14:10:30.491-04:00

Do you have a Facebook page? Are you contemplating ways to get more people engaged using Facebook? Take a look at this article we came across. It has great tips on how to keep the person coming back to your page after they have "liked" it.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-65108058594153593302011-04-27T10:50:00.003-04:002011-04-27T10:55:57.152-04:00

Many certifying agencies ask how to educate the public about the value of using/hiring/requesting a certified professional. The Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards is launching a new campaign to do just that.The "Let's Make a Plan" campaign, includes "national cable television and online advertising in addition to its print advertising. A public service website – www.LetsMakeaPlan.org

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-89799601375119954932011-03-15T16:46:00.005-04:002011-03-15T16:53:41.297-04:00

In a press release today, ICE discussed the value of credentials for job seekers as the economy recovers. The following is an excerpt you may find interestingObtaining credentials can also be a helpful advancement tool for those who are currently employed. Employees should talk to their supervisors about reimbursement for work-related education. In this age of frozen salaries, CareerBuilder has

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-14874695078780757742011-02-14T13:04:00.002-05:002011-02-14T13:06:36.300-05:00

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) sent out the following reminder today. Service on the Nominating Committee (or any ICE committee) is a great way to become involved in ICE.<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-28927174772426897482010-12-15T10:38:00.003-05:002010-12-15T11:14:57.636-05:00

A review and revision process for the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing began in 2009. The Joint Committee overseeing the revision of the Standards is planning to open the comment period for the revision draft in January. The comment period will close in April 2011.The Standards are published by the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the American Psychological

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-67021387489701235902010-11-30T11:56:00.003-05:002010-11-30T12:11:28.282-05:00

By now, we should all know what social media is, but the larger question is how best to use it. There is not a simple answer to this question, unfortunately, and the answer often varies from organization to organization.During the recent ICE conference in Atlanta, I attended a session debunking the myths of social media. The presenter, Jarin Schmidt, had a lot of great advice for attendees. Here

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-41331904019762926102010-11-02T12:11:00.001-04:002010-11-02T12:13:28.436-04:00

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) just released its Guidelines for Performance Evaluations. The report is $35 for members and $85 for non members, according to ICE's publication order form. Click here for more information.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-75367743467503765042010-10-20T13:37:00.003-04:002010-10-20T13:41:17.226-04:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]>

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-82822557473481070662010-10-14T15:49:00.003-04:002010-10-14T15:53:15.669-04:00

Check out our latest article in the October 2010 issue of Associations Now, Five Myths to Bust Before Accrediting Your Certification. Learn more about give common myths we have encountered with more than 20 certifying bodies working toward accreditation including incorporation status, governance, educational courses and certification, and policies and procedures.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-8360717058690407802010-08-04T12:17:00.002-04:002010-08-04T12:23:32.791-04:00

The Colbert Report recently covered Rand Paul's certification scandal with a humorous look at what we often refer to as "rogue" certification programs. Take a look at this video where Stephen becomes a certified ophthalmologist:http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/313483/june-22-2010/usa-board-of-ophthalmological-freedom?xrs=share_copy

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-63497256951033700512010-05-27T10:28:00.005-04:002010-05-27T10:31:08.834-04:00

A member of the Professional Certification Discussion Group on Linked In posted this video from In Time TV's show, Association Executive Today. Judith Hale serves as one of the panelists discussing certification and certificate programs.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-48204995743516333302010-05-19T11:35:00.002-04:002010-05-19T11:45:10.182-04:00

Last week I attended “Social Media: The Value to Credentialing” workshop hosted by ICE and Association Forum of ChicagoLand. While there was more information shared during the day-long session than can be relayed in a blog, here are just a few items that I found interesting:Boards are often hesitant to venture into social media because of concerns that they won’t be able to control negative

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-35596653664305590402010-05-13T15:00:00.003-04:002010-05-13T15:01:21.371-04:00

Check out this upcoming seminar on Rogue Review Courses hosted by Caveon. Many testing programs are plagued by Rogue Review Courses (RRCs). Our next webinar is: Dealing with Rogue Review Courses, on Wednesday, May 19, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM EDT. This informative webinar will be presented Jennifer Semko from Baker and MacKenzie LLP and Dennis Maynes from Caveon Test Security. Key points of the webinar

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-312544767530543822010-04-12T19:38:00.001-04:002010-04-12T19:39:15.712-04:00

Members of the Certification Network Group on Linked In recently had a discussion that you may find useful regarding ESL candidates. Many certifying agencies do not currently allot more time on an exam for ESL (or English as a Second Language) candidates, most likely due to ESL not being a covered condition or a disability under the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act). The questions asked

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-34321751467941781132010-03-15T19:06:00.001-04:002010-03-15T19:08:29.002-04:00

According to an annual survey of physician’s salaries, specialist nurses are earning more money and being offered higher incentives than primary care doctors, according to a recent article on CNN.com. Merritt Hawkins & Associates, a physician recruiting and consulting firm, states that certified nurse anesthetists, or CRNAs, are offered an average base salary of $189,000 compared to primary care

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-6560364757187837122010-02-18T21:07:00.000-05:002010-02-18T21:08:13.977-05:00

Anne Mitchell, a 52 year old nurse from Kermit, Texas was found not guilty in state court on February 11 for “misuse of official information,” a third-degree felony in Texas. Mitchell wrote a letter to state regulators reporting Dr. Rolando G. Arafiles Jr. for practicing unsafe medicine. The prosecutor states that Mitchell had a history of making “inflammatory” statements about Dr. Rolando G.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-18392101697346859462010-02-08T21:37:00.004-05:002010-02-08T21:42:57.464-05:00

The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) recently published an article “Building an International Research Agenda” discussing their partnership with the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) to host The Nursing Certification and Competency Summit. The summit, held in October 2009, convened leaders and experts from nursing certification organizations, affiliated credentialing

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-90346887626752094012010-02-03T09:49:00.002-05:002010-02-03T09:51:18.034-05:00

Social media sites seem to be everywhere we look these days—in both our personal and professional lives. Some of the most popular sites are Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn, as you probably know. In her article “Four Ways to Manage the Risks of Social Media,” Kirstin Simonson describes a recent survey conducted by Travelers Global Technology that found that nearly half of adults are actively using

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-39358191284745127452010-01-25T14:23:00.003-05:002010-01-25T14:25:17.540-05:00

Answering the question “Which metrics are the right ones for my organization?” is imperative for association boards. Whitney Redding addresses this important issue in her recent article, “The Right Metrics for Association Boards,” in Associations Now. Metrics are essential to an organization’s overall performance and choosing the right statistics and indicators to track can be a difficult

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-40881686666600729172010-01-14T12:59:00.003-05:002010-01-14T13:01:15.344-05:00

The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) has recently launched the new Accreditation Program for Certificate Programs (ANSI-CAP) to accredit organizations that issue education and training certificates. ANSI-CAP has been designed to provide evidence that a given certificate program will lead to more competent and knowledgeable workers, and will also provide quality benchmarks for future

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-53885015851244804822010-01-04T13:35:00.003-05:002010-01-04T13:37:13.411-05:00

ACT recently released a report that details the fastest-growing jobs and the salaries and skill requirements that go along with them. The 8-page survey, titled “Occupational Opportunities” is based on ACT research as well as data extracted from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) and developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, along with data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-54331261349179025772009-12-13T20:10:00.001-05:002009-12-13T20:11:31.718-05:00

The International Association for Computerized Adaptive Testing (IACAT) is a new organization devoted to advancing computerized adaptive testing (CAT) through research and education. IACAT will hold its first annual conference June 7-9, 2010 in Arnhem, The Netherlands. They are currently accepting proposals for conference presentations. Presentations will be formatted in two ways: a 20-minute

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-29200694985017013682009-12-08T08:05:00.002-05:002009-12-08T08:06:49.216-05:00

The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (formerly the National Organization for Competency Assurance) is conducting a job analysis study to determine the likelihood of developing a new certification program for professionals who manage certification programs. The survey strives to identify the role and responsibilities of the credentialing professional. A credentialing professional provides

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-15035874965794553962009-11-23T10:46:00.003-05:002009-11-23T10:48:45.993-05:00

We enjoyed meeting the many NOCA (now ICE) conference attendees who stopped by our booth in the exhibit hall at last week's meeting in Phoenix to say hello. We work in a virtual environment, so we always look forward to the opportunity to meet face-to-face with our current and potential clients.This year was no exception! We appreciate all of your support.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-35811008206246785092009-11-13T12:29:00.001-05:002009-11-13T12:31:25.178-05:00

The Association of Test Publishers (ATP) Security Committee is conducting an industry-wide survey on exam security. This survey in intended for all testing programs and will evaluate the scope and depth to which test security issues affect test owners/sponsors. It will also identify the mitigating measures that testing organizations use to prevent and detect such challenges.The survey will be

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-34115425734218108962009-11-11T09:00:00.002-05:002009-11-11T09:01:01.209-05:00

In May 2009, Seacrest Company distributed an industry survey that was completed by 124 representatives from certifying agencies. The goals of the survey were to gather information, set benchmarks and identify strategic questions to assist in planning. The survey found that while more than 70% of certifying agencies have developed a marketing plan, only nearly 60% use it. The survey also found

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-29682187079334431172009-11-04T09:39:00.002-05:002009-11-04T09:39:50.724-05:00

Seacrest is exhibiting at the 2009 NOCA conference, “Shine On: Exploring the Spectrum of Credentialing,” November 18-21 at the Arizona Grand Resort in Phoenix, Arizona. If you are attending the conference, make sure to stop by the SeaCrest table to learn more about who we are and how we can help strengthen you organization’s certification program and achieve accreditation! To register for NOCA

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-73374831062932431372009-10-30T09:24:00.001-04:002009-10-30T09:25:18.061-04:00

The NCCA 2010 deadlines are fast approaching, and it’s always a good idea to start planning early. The 2010 deadlines are; January 31, April 30 and September 30. Applying for NCCA accreditation is a complex and time-consuming process. We recommend that you start preparing your materials now. Organizations interested in applying for NCCA accreditation should submit their letter of intent 90 days

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-79256521676535292009-10-29T09:28:00.004-04:002009-10-29T09:29:33.356-04:00

An article recently published by HealthcareITNews states that One Beacon Professional Partners, a member of OneBeacon Insurance Group, is joining forces with Medversant Technologies so that clients can have access to an electronic management and credentialing verification system. The new system is called AutoVerifi, and is designed to constantly validate, retrieve and store medical providers’

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-75721998182942284542009-10-13T15:38:00.003-04:002009-10-13T15:44:16.126-04:00

On October 7 - 9, I attended the National Certification and Competency Summit, hosted by the Competency & Credentialing Institute (CCI) and the American Board of Nursing Specialties. The goal of the meeting was to develop an international research agenda. More than 80 participants attended and worked in an interactive setting, specifically designed for the meeting, to discuss research priorities.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-49703624906183228562009-08-26T10:12:00.003-04:002009-08-26T10:13:06.199-04:00

Putting Certification to the TestTake a look at this article from the August 2009 issue of Associations Now. It’s a worthwhile read. It's one thing to say your certification is world-class. It's another to prove it. ASIS International put three of its certification programs through a years-long process of rigorous analysis and in-depth audits, and now they have an internationally recognized

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-79275258609651213522009-08-14T08:16:00.007-04:002009-08-14T08:22:49.053-04:00

After an open discussion between stakeholders concerning ANSI/NOCA 1100, Assessment Based Certificate Programs and the development of NOCA accreditation program based on the Standard, NOCA is now seeking interested parties to participate on a NOCA Advisory Panel. The NOCA Advisory Board is responsible for developing policies and procedures for the accreditation program.You do not need to be a

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-29235352412595038032009-08-07T17:07:00.004-04:002009-08-07T17:12:48.860-04:00

The next NCCA deadline, September 30, 2009, is quickly approaching. If you’ve ever applied for NCCA accreditation you know that the process can be overwhelming. At a minimum you need a love for detail to fill out the application form and organize all the materials. Simple mistakes can lead to a deferral or denial decision.Some frequently overlooked details in NCCA applications:• Read the full

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-21274094560879391552009-08-04T13:38:00.004-04:002009-08-04T13:42:30.122-04:00

August 15-18: ASAE Annual MeetingConference for association professionals with education sessions by leading experts in association management, an expo hall chock-full of business service providers, and networking events where you can build valuable contacts.Visit www.asaecenter.org/AnnualMeeting for full conference details.September 10-12: Council on Licensure, Enforcement and Regulation Annual

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-80472128505028910542009-07-08T13:30:00.002-04:002009-07-08T13:32:39.834-04:00

A recent survey conducted by Prometric of North American certification and licensure programs in the Healthcare, Information Technology, Associations, Academic Institutions, Financial Services, Government Organizations and Professional Services industries indicated the following:Professionals who earn credentials directly influence the nation’s pool of available talent and are a valuable

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-67972080848012974542009-05-11T10:32:00.002-04:002009-05-11T10:34:14.568-04:00

Organizations with NCCA accredited certification programs must submit an annual report form to the NCCA by June 1. Click here for more information on the annual report requirement.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-74727412137249060032009-04-20T21:15:00.002-04:002009-04-20T21:20:30.096-04:00

The National League for Nursing is searching for a part-time Certification Director (approx. 20-30 hours/week). The Certification Director can work from a home office. Please take a look at the job announcement below and contact me if you have any questions.GENERAL SUMMARY:The Certification Director of the Academic Nurse Educator (ANE) certification program works under the supervision of the

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-50151196516325066692009-04-13T14:26:00.001-04:002009-04-13T14:27:28.259-04:00

Certification programs are using social networking sites to enhance communication among their certificants and help them create a “human” touch with other professionals in the same industry. Social networking sites are certainly not a new concept, but they’re definitely becoming more and more popular. Like other marketing outlets, social networking works when you have good content, the readers

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-12209637254210332552009-04-08T11:50:00.002-04:002009-04-08T11:58:46.630-04:00

According to Wikipedia: “A social network service focuses on building online communities of people who share interests and/or activities, or who are interested in exploring the interests and activities of others. Most social network services are web based and provide a variety of ways for users to interact, such as e-mail and instant messaging services.”Increasingly certification organizations

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-69570031802290492322009-03-31T20:56:00.001-04:002009-03-31T20:59:25.344-04:00

The Canadian government has announced at $50 million investment over the next two years to speed up the recognition process for foreign credentials. Read more.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-27443749817447056212009-03-29T21:40:00.002-04:002009-03-29T21:44:11.775-04:00

NOCA announced this week that its new standard "NOCA 1100 - Standard for Assessment- Based Certificate Programs" has received approval as an American National Standard by the ANSI standards review board. More information is available on NOCA's web site.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-44720713382898782842009-03-25T12:48:00.002-04:002009-03-25T12:51:43.185-04:00

SeaCrest is conducting a survey focused on marketing for certification programs. We would appreciate your participation and feedback. Please take a few moments to complete this survey. Click here to begin.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-74614113567036029082009-03-09T14:57:00.003-04:002009-03-09T14:58:06.518-04:00

If you haven't already seen, NOCA recently released the results of its recertification study. You can access the report on NOCA's main page at www.noca.org.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-49353291995496601072009-03-04T14:25:00.002-05:002009-03-04T14:27:37.998-05:00

The following request was submitted by one of our readers:I represent a certification program that has recently expanded internationally to the Middle East. Our computer testing system is challenged by testing in the Middle East (constant disrupts) and I am wondering if other certification bodies can share their experiences and or vendors that are successfully delivering international exams.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-81678074955070867732009-02-20T22:02:00.002-05:002009-02-20T22:05:48.645-05:00

Take a look at Bottom Line Briefing's interview with Linda Cherno on membership renewal and retention in a challenging economy. The article offers several insights that can apply to certification programs as well as associations.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-89874976132379598702009-02-06T09:26:00.004-05:002009-02-06T09:31:40.365-05:00

You may have already heard about Morrison Media, a company that claims to do test preparation including flash cards, study guides and, even, secrets of the exam. Their name has been floating around the certification industry for years now. The kicker is that they don't have agreements or permission from the certifying agencies for many of the exams their study materials cover. Click this link

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-88651116421979191672009-01-27T14:07:00.005-05:002009-01-27T14:08:57.241-05:00

In case you missed it, NOCA published its standards for certificate programs titled, "NOCA 1100 – Quality Standard for Assessment-Based Certificate Programs (2009)" yesterday. The standards are free to NOCA Members online at www.noca.org. Non-members can download for a small fee.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-55157904872843757772009-01-14T12:17:00.001-05:002009-01-14T12:18:46.528-05:00

Certification professionals have often talked about how the economy impacts the volume of candidates sitting for exams. Now that we are officially in a recession, we’re starting to see more and more news articles and commentary on this subject. NOCA has posted a poll question on its Web site regarding this topic as well. So far, 44% of respondents have seen an increase in applicants and 28%

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-65740830760121078462008-11-10T16:06:00.003-05:002008-11-10T16:17:31.086-05:00

One of our readers recently asked if we would discuss the aspects of certification programs that can best be done by volunteers. We have seen programs that are primary staff-driven, programs that are completely volunteer run, and everything in between. As with many questions about certification programs, the answer to what tasks are best suited for volunteers is probably "it depends." It depends

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-46292469011429424032008-11-07T21:00:00.001-05:002008-11-07T21:01:27.440-05:00

The NOCA Annual Educational Conference in San Francisco is less than two weeks away. This year NOCA is offering a full pre-conference workshop on NCCA accreditation. If you are planning to apply for accreditation this workshop is sure to offer useful information and should be an even more valuable resource than the concurrent session offered in the past. This year’s conference also promises

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-70539964933398760502008-09-30T08:48:00.004-04:002008-09-30T08:53:51.367-04:00

In early September, NOCA convened certification leaders to discuss issues and trends in the industry. More importantly, the participants discussed long-term, strategic objectives and goals to address these trends. SeaCrest participated in the forum and encourages all of our readers to visit the NOCA Web site to review the outcomes and provide your feedback. There were nearly 100 people

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-79407369660631648182008-09-24T10:10:00.004-04:002008-09-24T10:13:01.716-04:00

Earlier this month, SeaCrest started a new "LinkedIn" group for people working in the professional certification field. We encourage you to look up and join this group. Here is a recent question posted to the group: Are you aware of the changes in the recently passed ADA Amendments Act of 2008?How do you anticipate that these changes will affect when and how you provide test accommodations to

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-23306782103425371872008-09-12T11:24:00.004-04:002008-09-12T11:29:38.701-04:00

The National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA) is seeking your comments on the draft standards for assessment-based certificate programs (draft 3.0). NOCA is encouraging all interested parties to participate by submitting comments, questions, concerns related to the draft by October 10, 2008. Click here to access the draft standards from the NOCA Web site. Comments should be submitted

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-59128537735096096652008-09-04T11:16:00.003-04:002008-09-04T11:18:06.889-04:00

<!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> <![endif]--> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:Calibri; panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:swiss; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1073750139 0 0 159 0;

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-71769200864231171952008-08-26T09:31:00.002-04:002008-08-26T09:32:56.721-04:00

This year the NCCA implemented a new policy aimed at improving service to accreditation applicants. The Standards Interpretations Policy allows applicants to request official interpretations from the NCCA to clarify the intent of the Standards. These official interpretations will be published on the NOCA web site.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-10589366278690162672008-08-12T11:32:00.003-04:002008-08-12T11:35:43.436-04:00

On September 2nd from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. (approximately) Eastern time, the SeaCrest team will be presenting the results of our recent certification program governance survey during an audio seminar organized by the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA). The seminar will focus on how the results compare to the governance requirements in the NCCA Standards. We hope that you

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-77833690047425989802008-07-23T12:48:00.001-04:002008-07-23T12:49:55.179-04:00

In the course of doing some long overdue catching up our reading, we came across an article in the May issue of Associations Now that struck a chord. Cynthia D’Amour wrote an interesting piece titled, “How to Make Your Volunteers Feel like VIPs.” We all know that our organizations count on volunteers to thrive. The really good volunteers help us set our strategic direction and guide our

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-68055129532800744182008-07-14T10:49:00.001-04:002008-07-14T10:50:34.672-04:00

In our recent governance survey, we asked respondents to tell us what challenges their programs currently face. If you completed the survey and received the results, you saw that the most commonly mentioned challenges were: <!--[if !supportLists]--> Marketing <!--[if !supportLists]--> Managing growth and/or transition <!--[if !supportLists]--> Issues related to global/international

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-19537633455048110562008-06-25T11:21:00.009-04:002008-06-29T16:19:06.610-04:00

On June 17 new proposed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations were published in the Federal Register. The notice includes proposed rules to amend the ADA regulation for public accommodations and commercial facilities. Several articles discussing the possible impact of the proposed regulations are available:Proposed ADA Rules Would Mean New Requirements for Meetings Industry (

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-9678372254075671802008-06-17T14:25:00.003-04:002008-06-23T11:35:24.987-04:00

Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent governance survey. With the help of NOCA and ABNS we received 139 completed surveys. If you included your email address when you submitted the survey you will be receiving a copy of the final report soon. To give you a sample of what to expect from the report, here is a snapshot of the typical certification program: <!--[if !supportLists]-->

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-39028414055491667032008-06-16T12:01:00.011-04:002008-06-16T13:00:57.863-04:00

The mercury rose above 100 degrees and the humidity was thick, but that didn't stop Janice Moore and Cynthia Allen from walking the Race for the Cure in Washington, DC on June 7. The Komen race comes to the DC metro area each spring. It has rained in years past, flooding the course with ankle-deep water. A little shower would have been a welcomed relief to the heat and sun.More than 50,000

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-89579026412534848002008-05-21T09:49:00.001-04:002008-05-21T09:51:47.083-04:00

Chances are that if you’re using a reputable email service provider to send out your email blasts that you are staying compliant with the many intricate requirements of the CAN-SPAM Act. Our ESP, Gold Lasso, actually sent us an email recently that briefly explained recent updates to the law. Take a look: People cannot be required to pay a fee, provide information other than his or her

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-59461170769414652402008-04-14T09:12:00.001-04:002008-04-14T09:13:12.129-04:00

We recently polled a few of our clients to get a sense for how certification programs communicate with their new certificants. Do they mail a packet? Have agencies moved to electronic orientation? Here’s what we heard. Respondents mail an initial package of information to new certificants including an introduction/cover letter, paper certificate, and sample press release. Some organizations

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-49011316783166181772008-04-01T13:00:00.003-04:002008-04-01T13:06:37.310-04:00

We recently issued a governance survey to more than 800 certification organizations. The goal of the survey is to provide valuable information about a variety of governance issues specific to certifying agencies—like you—including: <!--[if !supportLists]-->General governance structure<!--[if !supportLists]-->Compensation<!--[if !supportLists]--> <!--[endif]-->Leadership selection processes<!--

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-76807761472177189052008-03-24T09:53:00.003-04:002008-03-24T09:55:35.877-04:00

As the April 30th NCCA accreditation deadline approaches we’d like to remind you that many of the application errors we see most often are also the errors that are most easily avoided. Here are a few things to double-check before sending in your accreditation application:It’s the simple things. Failure to carefully read directions can lead to a deferral, or even denial decision.Check the date on

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-23654913288839548062008-03-12T14:19:00.005-04:002008-03-13T08:16:16.305-04:00

"Going green" is a common trend in all industries. For associations and certifying bodies, that hold meetings and produce printed materials, reducing paper is a priority. We talked to one of our printing friends in the industry, Omnipress, who shared a document on reducing paper that we thought you might find helpful, "Green Printing Tips…14 Eco-Friendly Ways to Produce Conference Materials."

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-63474694340121073982008-02-06T13:53:00.001-05:002008-02-06T13:54:02.715-05:00

Working with different certifying agencies means that we have the privilege of constantly learning how they each achieve the same goal of maintaining and growing their programs. Some are very forward thinking and offer products and services (beyond just their credential) to diversify their revenue stream. One thing we’ve noticed is that not all certifying agencies out there offer practice tests

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-17932866302750166042008-01-29T09:40:00.000-05:002008-01-29T09:45:15.809-05:00

Every time I receive "Cheating in the News," Caveon Test Security's informative (and rather witty) electronic newsletter, it's among the first things I open. Today's issue is a perfect example of why I read it. Don Sorensen goes undercover with a ButtonCam and a DocuPen at a local testing center to test these cheating devices. Check out the results here. Props to Don for showing...not just

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-30373861540674308052008-01-16T14:50:00.000-05:002008-01-16T15:20:22.922-05:00

In a recent post on Tony Rossell’s “Membership Marketing Blog”, he talks about the number of times we engage our members. Or, better yet, the lack of effort we make in engaging our members. Let’s think of this in terms of our certificants. How often do you communicate with the professionals who have earned your credential? For many certifying agencies, communication happens when a candidate

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-32630881494084384302008-01-08T19:37:00.000-05:002008-01-08T19:39:00.643-05:00

We attended a session at the NOCA conference on marketing for certification programs featuring Don Sorensen from Caveon. He spoke about search engine optimization or the process of increasing (and improving) traffic to a Web site from search engines via natural or “organic” search results for keywords. SEO is something we should all be doing, but are we? If we’re doing things right, our Web site

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-11503873890017737512008-01-02T09:39:00.000-05:002008-01-02T09:40:13.733-05:00

Having worked in the association industry for as long as we have, we’ve done our share of venting about members. We’re pretty sure you have too. But, in a recent post on his blog, Certified Association Executive, Ben Martin made an interesting point about criticizing members. His bottom line is, don’t do it. It’s understandable how making fun of members happens, but Ben’s message is that the

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-56685514463357257192007-12-10T08:08:00.000-05:002007-12-10T08:11:37.975-05:00

One of the most interesting sessions at the 2007 NOCA meeting that we attended late last month in San Antonio was on the subject of public members. David Swankin, of the Citizen’s Advocacy Center in Washington, DC, is leading a push for NOCA to offer more resources for public members. Discussion during the session touched on a variety of topics including encouraging associations to bring their

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-56584573368330764462007-11-06T20:21:00.000-05:002007-11-06T20:26:18.726-05:00

NOCA and ANSI are both involved in the development of standards for assessment-based certificate programs.Updates on ANSI’s progress are available on the ANSI web site. NOCA has completed development of a “defining features document” and is moving forward with the development of a new standard based on the feedback received during its October 11 public meeting. Additional information is available

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-78957253442996716762007-10-31T12:47:00.000-04:002007-10-31T12:50:18.069-04:00

Everybody is going green these days from brides-to-be, large corporations, former Vice President Al Gore to associations. An association’s environmental impact can be huge because they touch all different industries and aspects of operational management—the computers that staff use, energy use in their headquarter buildings, paper used for marketing materials, excess food at conferences, etc.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-30851959308946876442007-10-22T16:23:00.001-04:002007-10-22T16:24:06.211-04:00

I assume that most executives send updates to their board in between their face-to-face meetings. But, you know that assumptions are never right. The truth is that not all organizations provide weekly or monthly updates to their volunteer leaders. Maybe the board’s leadership style doesn’t require frequent updates or maybe we need to remember the old adage that “communication is key.”How often

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-59817947619784472882007-10-16T09:27:00.000-04:002007-10-16T09:30:10.436-04:00

We are looking forward to attending this year’s NOCA conference in San Antonio. For organizations planning to seek NCCA accreditation in the next year, the conference is a “can’t miss” opportunity. Be sure to attend the Friday, Nov. 16th session “NCCA Commission Workshop – Best Practices for NCCA Accreditation Applications.” In addition, the conference should have plenty of opportunities to

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-63658635587505850042007-10-07T18:17:00.000-04:002007-10-07T18:24:03.320-04:00

The Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (developed jointly by AERA, APA, and NCME) are being revised. Submit comments on the revisions to the standards during the "Call for Comment" period open through November 5, 2007. Comments and recommendations should emphasize additions, changes or other improvements to the content and format of the 1999 Testing Standards. More information on

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-78899534135626344872007-09-25T12:41:00.000-04:002007-09-25T12:44:11.889-04:00

We recently wrote an article for an association magazine about associations that change their volunteer leadership structure and elections process to ensure that they have qualified leaders sitting on committees and boards. For certifying agencies, qualified volunteers are also needed as subject matter experts to participate in the development of assessment instruments. We went through our

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-60478365023682272672007-09-10T20:50:00.000-04:002007-09-10T21:06:24.251-04:00

We hear it time and time again—we want to reach out to potential certificants and convince them to obtain our credential. Building your certificant base by marketing to the non-certified professionals in your database is an important goal. But, don’t forget that you have an audience of professionals who are already certified that also need your attention. In a world where consumers of our

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-23832050802931720442007-08-29T09:23:00.000-04:002007-08-29T09:25:22.047-04:00

Written disciplinary policies and procedures are critical for all certification programs. If you’re in the business of certifying people then eventually you will receive complaints about your certificants. Before that happens it’s essential to have a strong and clear process in place.Listed below are some elements for a disciplinary policy. Feel free to post a comment and add more.Clear

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-74834992354119527562007-08-22T12:02:00.000-04:002007-08-22T12:06:12.974-04:00

If you’ve ever applied for accreditation you know that the process can be overwhelming. At a minimum you need a love for detail to fill out the application form and organize all the materials. Some of the most common mistakes that we see come from applicants who don’t fully read the directions. Simple mistakes can lead to a deferral or, even, denial decision. Some frequently overlooked details:

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-80323628685702158512007-08-15T09:42:00.000-04:002007-08-16T10:46:23.963-04:00

If you’re not at ASAE’s annual meeting this week, maybe (like me) you’ve been reading their blog, Acronym, for snippets of wisdom that attendees are sharing from various sessions and meetings. One of the most interesting posts I’ve read is, “More blogging tips from smart association bloggers.” Blogging can serve many purposes for your organization if it’s done correctly and the members or

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-12334471263671695662007-08-01T09:34:00.000-04:002007-08-09T12:53:38.507-04:00

I’m surprised at how many certification programs don’t address the value of their credential more directly with stakeholders; potential certificants in particular. The first communication a potential certificant receives is often an explanation of how to earn the credential not why they would want it in the first place.Educating interested certificants on the process of certification is important

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-55238201390147223702007-07-25T11:32:00.000-04:002007-07-25T11:35:08.410-04:00

If it’s the executive director your organization might be putting itself in danger, at least that’s what Steven John Fellman says in the latest issue of “Bottom Line Briefing.”In the article “Who Signs the Association’s Contracts?” Fellman (Galland, Kharasch, Greenberg, Fellman & Swirsky, P.C.) argues that while the staff should provide the board with information on the risks involved with a

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-83054190895150763492007-07-18T09:04:00.000-04:002007-07-18T09:11:07.179-04:00

We use case studies for a variety of reasons. Vendors might use them to show how specifics services and products have helped clients. Certification organizations might use a case study as a testimonial from a certificant outlining why they sought certification and how it’s helped them professionally (and personally, in some cases).I came across an article on MarketingProfs.com on why too many

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-34133827792119746402007-07-09T15:59:00.001-04:002007-07-09T16:02:43.220-04:00

We recently reviewed the eligibility requirements of NCCA accredited certification programs. As you might expect, we found a wide range of criteria. Some programs had no requirements while others required extensive education (doctoral degrees in some cases) and experience. The common element was that the candidate had to meet all of the criteria before taking the exam for most programs.We

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-76496957177357235352007-06-27T09:10:00.000-04:002007-06-27T09:13:38.711-04:00

What Makes a Good Candidate Handbook?We reviewed the Web sites of several NCCA accredited certification programs to see what common elements can be found in a quality Candidate Handbook. The following is a sample table of contents that includes the most commonly found elements. Take a few minutes to see how your program compares. Is there information that you should add to your materials to

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-75575835957451344292007-06-19T15:01:00.000-04:002007-06-19T15:06:13.002-04:00

Tips for Teaching AdultsWe are convinced that being a teacher, for any age, is a skill not everyone possesses. When you are teaching adults, as many professional associations and certification organizations do through a wide range of educational opportunities, the job takes on a whole new meaning. Most school teachers are trained. Think about the presenters you had at your last conference or

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-78553161192089713932007-06-07T10:03:00.000-04:002007-06-07T10:07:55.086-04:00

At least one thing that every association has in common is the need to communicate with members or certificants in a polite and professional way. We have all had to deal with contact from difficult constituents that test our patience. The ability to handle these calls and/or emails in the most positive way possible is important not only to maintain good member relations, but also to maintain

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-52528377290313569812007-05-14T10:53:00.000-04:002007-05-15T13:38:45.337-04:00

We are conducting an informal survey on why non-profit and for-profit organizations start professional certification programs? There are organizations that get into the certification business to fill a need in a specific industry where no voluntary certification exists. There are others that launch a program in an already crowded market of credentials. Why did you start your program? The May

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-46557095485891868712007-04-11T15:47:00.000-04:002007-04-11T16:18:48.989-04:00

Web sites are the face of your organization. It is one of the first places people go to find out how to become certified and what the value of credentialing is. Keeping Web site content up-to-date and relevant is critical. Too often sites are only understood by “insiders” to the industry, they look dated or they are so cumbersome that information is, at best, difficult to locate.When was the

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-46050337182603388852007-03-05T12:54:00.001-05:002007-03-05T13:08:09.463-05:00

Does your organization have a conflicts of interest policy in place?One of the many implications of the American Competitiveness and Corporate Accountability Act, commonly referred to as the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (developed to address scandals in the corporate world) was the need to strengthen conflicts of interest policies. If you do not have a policy, or if your current policy has not been

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-3130806646234993722007-02-14T23:34:00.000-05:002007-02-15T09:04:05.988-05:00

Certifying agencies have valuable intellectual property to protect—certification marks, publications, item banks, and examinations to name a few. Most credentialing organizations actively protect these marks through trademarks and copyrights. But, as new agencies emerge to certify professions in specialized fields the need for information and resources on trademarking and copyrighting property

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-42127602862864610302007-01-16T09:42:00.000-05:002007-01-16T09:49:48.565-05:00

When it comes to marketing knowing your audience is everything. Members and customers expect communication that is customized to their specific needs and wants because technology makes it possible. Savvy marketers use technology to help gather demographic and psychographic data to better target their messages and choose the right communications medium to use. The hope is that by tailoring the

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-12717967015944118792006-12-11T13:03:00.000-05:002006-12-12T22:11:46.540-05:00

I found an interesting piece of spam in my inbox recently promoting a certification for "virtual professionals." Since certification and working virtually are two issues I deal with daily I couldn’t resist taking a look. What I found was a decent looking Web site that offers a "certification" for "virtual professionals" that was developed after "extensive research." Of course, it was no surprise

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-12975403849812016382006-11-20T19:38:00.000-05:002006-11-20T19:44:03.936-05:00

Goodsearch.com, a Yahoo!-powered site started in spring 2006, allows organizations to fundraise through online searches.A non-profit group that I am a member of recently joined the list of charities participating in GoodSearch.com. As I read the email they sent out announcing it, I thought that many certification boards and associations might also be interested in this opportunity.What exactly is

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-1161011677985461312006-10-16T11:11:00.000-04:002006-10-16T11:22:50.156-04:00

Real Success with Virtual Tools We all know that the Internet has a limitless number of tools to make our professional lives easier. It is easy to distrust the random companies, Web sites and tools that we find online. We are warned constantly to be weary of emails from unknown senders, do virus scans frequently and avoid recklessly downloading new software. Without a first-hand

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-1158771218842932792006-09-20T12:47:00.000-04:002006-09-20T13:32:50.320-04:00

Should your certification board have a seat reserved for a public member? The answer is yes for a number of reasons. Accrediting bodies, like the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), require it. Public members are also becoming both more common and more important in the corporate and non-profit worlds.The public member represents the best interests of—you guessed it—the public.

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-1155319874616351962006-08-11T14:06:00.000-04:002006-08-11T14:13:33.363-04:00

Virtual Insanity or Viable Work Environment?For years professionals have escaped from the office, avoided traffic, and remained employed with organizations long after they have moved to another state or country. We have coined different catch phrases for it—telecommuting, working from home, or maintaining a virtual office are a few that come to mind. My favorite term is “telework,” which I just

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28271203.post-1152717722658315032006-07-12T11:21:00.000-04:002006-07-12T11:22:02.663-04:00

The Montgomery GI Bill doesn’t just help veterans pay for college anymore. In 2001, Congress approved provisions that allowed eligible veterans to be reimbursed from The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for taking approved certification and licensure exams. Veterans can receive reimbursement of up to $2,000 per exam. The VA lists all currently approved exams online. SeaCrest is

SeaCresthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10116667029934051521noreply@blogger.com0