Certificate vs. Certification: What’s the Difference?
According to the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE), certificate programs and certification programs are designed to meet different needs. Although the terms sound similar, they are not interchangeable. The following table from their website lists the main differences between the two programs. The BCMTMS™ credential is a Certification Program as outlined in the right column in the table below.
Assessment-based Certificate Program | Professional or Personnel Certification Program |
PURPOSE: Build capacity and recognition of a specialty area of practice or set of skills | PURPOSE: Recognize professionals who meet established knowledge, skills, or competencies |
Provides instruction and training (non-degree granting) | Assesses knowledge, skills, and/or competencies previously acquired |
Goal is for participants to acquire specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies | Goal is to validate the participant’s competency through a conformity assessment system |
Assessment is used to evaluate mastery of the intended learning outcomes; linked directly to the learning event | Assessment is best used to assure baseline competencies and to differentiate professionals; independent of a specific learning event |
Assessment content may be narrower in scope | Assessment content is usually broad in scope |
Awards a certificate to recognize mastery of the specific learning outcomes; it is NOT a certificate of attendance or participation, which is awarded to individuals who have attended or participated in a course or training program but did not have to demonstrate mastery of the intended learning outcomes | Awards designations to recognize achievement |