What is a National Credentialing Program?

National credentialing programs are very industry specific and offered by recognized national institutes to train people in their respective professions. Professions such as teaching, childcare, patient care and law have their own specific national credentialing programs. The programs are conducted by independent non-profit agencies that have set industry standards. Obtaining a national credential improves the employment opportunities available to individuals. It also ensures a pool of qualified professionals available for employers to hire.

Function

• National credentialing programs offer credentials to qualified professionals who successfully complete the training programs. The programs offered are specific to different professions. National credentialing programs offered at present are mainly concentrated in health, education and legal professions. Agencies offering the national credentialing programs are independent non-profit agencies. These agencies are recognized for setting rigorous standards within their professions.

Types

• Since the programs offered are very specific to their profession, the eligibility requirements are very different for different programs.
  The most famous programs include:
  Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program for the child care and educational professions
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  National Advocate Credentialing Program awards credentials for victim advocacy
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  National University Teaching Credentialing Program, is as the name suggests a program for teachers
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  National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel awards credentials to medical laboratory personnel.
  Within the healthcare industry, national credentialing programs are more specialized for nurses, paramedics, technicians and laboratory personnel.

Significance

• National credentialing programs often have high standards of eligibility and participation. The training obtained is thorough.
  Employers often choose candidates who have obtained national credentials, as they are guaranteed to get well trained professionals. Within the health and education industries, employees in certain positions are required to obtain national credentials.
  People participating in national credentialing program generally obtain the same training regardless of their geographic location. The programs, therefore, ensure a standardized quality of education.

Additional Benefits

• Individuals attending these programs receive very high quality training including practical applications, which may be lacking in traditional college environments.
  Although credentialing programs are not college degrees, obtaining national credentials inspires many professionals to continue their education.

Considerations

• Obtaining a National Credential often takes a lot of hard work and determination. Most of the credentialing programs requires candidates to demonstrate practical skill application and theoretical understanding of their professions. The candidates also have to pass through rigorous assessments and evaluations.