The certification of specialized skill-sets affirms a knowledge and experience base for practitioners in a particular field, their employers, and the public at large.  Certification represents a declaration of a particular individual’s professional competence.  In some professions, certification is a requirement for employment or practice; doctors, mechanics, accountants, professional secretaries, surveyors and many others are all required to go through a certification process of some kind.  In all instances, certification enhances the employability and career advancement of the individual practitioner or employee.

Many organizations in today’s competitive and challenging economy have recognized their workforce as their most valuable asset.  Likewise, individuals, whether employed or self-employed, know that now more than ever before they must acquire and maintain more comprehensive skill-sets to ensure their own attractiveness and ability in the workplace. 

Certification affects employers, employees, and consumers. These groups can appreciate the following benefits:

• Employers recognize the establishment of a professional standard for individuals in a particular field
• Employers can make better informed hiring decisions based on these professional standards
• Employers experience a more productive, highly-trained workforce
• Employees gain prestige and a competitive advantage over non-certified individuals in the same field
• Employees gain employment opportunities as a result of this competitive advantage
• Employees may receive higher wages in the form of bonuses, education assistance, or higher salaries
• Consumers can make more informed decisions about qualified providers
• Consumers are protected from incompetent and unfit practitioners

Equal to the benefits of certification is the importance of establishing an underlying certification program based on best practices and recognized processes and procedures developed by the field of certification.  ICE serves as the member-based organization for the field of certification to enhance professional excellence and ensure the competency of certification