Research & Statistical Reports

This document reports best practices in professional certification as identified by consensus through a systematic investigation, related only to activities that are relatively specific to the development, administration, and maintenance of professional certification programs. The best practices included are limited to those where consensus was obtained among the experts in the field.

ICE conducted a large scale job analysis to identify the responsibilities and duties of the credentialing professional, the first in the field. The study consists of the following major phases, which provide the organization of this report: 1) Initial Development and Validation 2) Pilot Study 3) Validation Study, and, 4) Development of Specifications.

This publication summarizes current principles related to performance examinations and accepted methods for their development, validation, and use. The document is an update to Guidelines for Non-Written Examinations, published by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in January 1991.

Free Download (members only) - Jointly sponsored by ICE, the National Board on Certification and Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists, and the Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation, this research into the practices and requirements of renewal programs in professional licensure and certification began in late spring 2008 as an effort to supply a logical basis for such programs as they may be developed and refined. The report is available free to ICE members. Non-members may purchase a copy through the online store.

This report is intended to provide benchmark data related to the business aspects of operating a credentialing organization. It is not the intention of this report to judge any sector of the industry, or any type or size of organization, based on the data collected, but rather to provide different ways of looking at data that can help an organization in assessing where it fits, based on key characteristics. This is the first survey of its kind that ICE has produced and it provides a baseline for future analysis.

Free download - In early 2009, ICE leadership determined that the uncertain global economic conditions would be the theme for the 2009 Credentialing Leadership Forum. In preparation for the Forum, ICE surveyed credentialing organizations in order to gain a better understanding of what, if any impacts, the industry was dealing with due to the economic conditions and to also obtain information on what industry leaders believe were the top issues they were facing. This report summarizes the result of that survey.

Free download - Professional/personnel certification programs have become prevalent across diverse industries and occupations/ professions,but there has been surprisingly little research conducted on these programs. To fill this void, Knapp & Associates International, Inc. (Knapp) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) conducted the first comprehensive scan of the certification industry in September 2003 (Personnel Certification: An Industry Scan). In October-November 2007, Knapp conducted a second scan to track changes in the industry since 2003 and to explore new research questionsThe 2007 Knapp Certification Industry Scan is the most comprehensive study of the certification industry to date.

Knapp Certification Industry Scan (2007) (PDF file) © 2007