What is the difference between a Certification and a Qualification?
The ISA Certification Program has led the way as a credentialing body in the arboricultural industry for many years. ISA has expanded its training and credentialing opportunities to include qualifications to meet the needs of the profession and respond to the demands of the stakeholders for advanced certificate-based programs.
Which is right for you?
WHAT IS A CERTIFICATION?
A Certification is a voluntary program administered by a non-governmental organization. It grants the use of a credential to individuals for a specific period. The Certification is available to those who meet predetermined and standardized criteria for knowledge, skills, or competencies. The knowledge needed to pass a Certification assessment is learned through self-study and experience. The assessment is conducted independent of a specific class, course, or other training program. To retain the credential, certified professionals must meet requirements for renewal.
WHAT IS A QUALIFICATION?
A Qualification is awarded for achievement of a narrow body of knowledge with very specific learning objectives. This type of program often takes the form of a classroom learning experience followed by an assessment to determine if the desired learning goals and objectives for the training have been met. Qualifications have no recertification component. They are either valid for life or they require that the classroom learning experience and assessment be repeated for renewal.