2010 Polls
2009 Polls
2008 Polls
2007 Polls
2006 Polls
2005 Polls
2004 Polls
2003 Polls
2010 Poll Questions
Does your certification program limit the number of times a candidate can retest within a given year?
Does your certification program offer a "review" course?
Does your certification program require candidates that do not pass your examination to wait between retaking the certification examination?
What Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) are necessary for examiner/accessor/raters in your industry?
| Subject Matter Experts (12) |
52%
|
| Individuals Certified or Licensed in the Area (9) |
39% |
| Observe and Record Only (No expertise in the Field Required) (2) |
9% |
Does your Certification Board charge for logging CEU/CMEs?
2009 Poll Questions
How has the current economy affected your certification program(s)? (44 responses)
|
We have seen an increase in applicants. (18)
|
41%
|
|
We have seen a decrease in applicants. (7)
|
16%
|
|
We have seen no change. (16)
|
36%
|
|
I don't know. (3)
|
7%
|
|
Increased web opportunities. (5)
|
33%
|
|
Volunteer service on industry committee. (0)
|
0%
|
|
Writing articles for industry publications. (0)
|
0%
|
|
Free or discounted events. (2)
|
13%
|
|
Other. (1)
|
7%
|
|
No. (7)
|
47%
|
|
Post exam survey. (23)
|
49%
|
|
Satisfaction surveys following inquiries. (4)
|
9%
|
|
Periodic surveys. (10)
|
21%
|
|
Annual satisfaction surveys. (3)
|
6%
|
|
Phone surveys. (1)
|
2%
|
|
Other. (2)
We do not capture this data. (4)
|
4%
9%
|
|
Yes, for practical exams (1)
|
6%
|
|
Yes, for written exams (3)
|
13%
|
|
Yes, for both (0)
|
0%
|
|
No (19)
|
83%
|
Does your certification organization offer an expedited service option to process applications instead of processing them on a “first come, first served” basis? If so, do you charge a fee for this service? (49 responses)
|
Yes, for a fee (5)
|
10%
|
|
Yes, free of charge (2)
|
4%
|
|
No (42)
|
86%
|
2008 Poll Questions
Do you offer practice tests for your certification programs? (23 responses)
| Yes, we offer practice tests for ALL of our programs |
52% |
| Yes, we offer practice tests for SOME of our programs |
26% |
| No, we do not offer practice tests |
22% |
For the 2008 annual conference, NOCA should find a keynote speaker who focuses on: (17 responses)
| Business Best Practices |
12% |
| Applied Research |
6% |
| Certification Management |
35% |
| The Future / Trends |
41% |
| Other |
6% |
In which area would you most like to see NOCA develop further resources? (24 responses)
| Marketing a Certification Program |
46% |
| Test Security |
12% |
| Government Relations |
12% |
| Starting a Certification Program |
29% |
| Other |
0% |
Please indicate your organization’s biggest governance challenge (choose all that apply): (34 responses)
| Recruiting and developing quality board candidates |
35% |
| Defining basic roles & responsibilities |
21% |
| Addressing high-level strategic objectives |
21% |
| Board/Staff partnerships |
9% |
| Board self-assessment |
12% |
| Other |
3% |
When you started a new certification program, how long did it take before you made a profit? (9 responses)
| Less than 1 year |
33% |
| 1-2 years |
22% |
| 2-3 years |
11% |
| 3-4 years |
22% |
| 4-5 years |
11% |
| More than 5 years |
0% |
Does your organization have an active Government Relations program to advocate for your industry? (19 responses)
| Yes, we have a GR program to advocate for our specific industry. |
37% |
| Yes, we have a GR program to advocate for the certification industry. |
5% |
| Yes, we have a GR program to advocate for both our specific industry and the certification industry. |
5% |
| No, we do not have a GR program. |
32% |
| No, we do not have a GR program but we plan to develop one in the future. |
21% |
For organizations that offer certifications internationally, how do you structure your required fees for foreign certificants? (30 responses)
| All fees are the same as those required for domestic certificants |
70% |
| Fees are based on certificant’s native country |
23% |
| Fees are the same as those required for domestic certificants, but foreign certificants may request a fee waiver/reduction |
0% |
| Other |
7% |
Do you offer additional exam time for individuals with English as their second language if the exam and exam handbook are in English? (70 responses)
| Yes, always |
23% |
| Yes, sometimes |
14% |
| No |
63% |
2007 Poll Questions
Which one of the following is the most critical area NOCA should focus on when redesigning the NOCA/NCCA website? (62 responses)
| Brand recognition of NOCA/NCCA |
11% |
| Information Architecture (navigation, organization, restructuring) |
34% |
| Visual (graphic) design |
2% |
| Content Development |
39% |
| Chat or Discussion Areas |
15% |
How likely is it that you would recommend NOCA to a friend or colleague? 10 is extremely likely and 1 is not at all likely. (From Fred Reichheld's "The Ultimate Question")
| 10 |
46% |
| 9 |
4% |
| 8 |
15% |
| 7 |
10% |
| 6 |
8% |
| 5 |
5% |
| 4 |
2% |
| 3 |
1% |
| 2 |
1% |
| 1 |
7% |
Did you find the NOCA Legislative and Regulatory Monitoring Report helpful? (24 responses)
| Yes |
54% |
| No |
17% |
| Did not read |
29% |
Did you find the NOCA Industry News helpful? (34 responses)
| Yes |
74% |
| No |
15% |
| Did not read |
12% |
Does your certification board charge a fee for verification of certification? (61 responses)
| Yes |
30% |
| No |
56% |
| Sometimes |
13% |
| We used to but don't anymore |
2% |
| No but we plan to |
0% |
What is the best improvement on the new NOCA website? (14 responses)
| Brand Recognition of NOCA/NCCA |
0% |
| Information Architecture (navigation, organization, restructuring) |
57% |
| Visual (Graphic) Design |
29% |
| Content Development |
7% |
| Chat/Discussion Areas |
7% |
| No Improvement |
0% |
| None of the above |
0% |
Do you offer assessment-based certificates, and if so, how many? (25 responses)
| No, we do not offer assessment-based certificates |
40% |
| Yes, we offer 1 |
32% |
| Yes, we offer 2 |
0% |
| Yes, we offer 3 |
8% |
| Yes, we offer 4 |
4% |
| Yes, we offer 5 or more |
16% |
How do you find effective public members to serve on your certification boards? (19 responses)
| We do not have a public member. |
21 % |
| Office of Consumer Affairs |
0% |
| Local community centers |
0% |
| Benevolent societies |
0% |
| Referrals from other certification boards |
32% |
| Citizen Advocacy Center |
0% |
| Other |
47% |
2006 Poll Questions
Does your certification require membership as a criteria for certification? (77 responses)
| Yes |
22% |
| No |
71% |
| I don't know |
7% |
How often do your certificants recertify? (73 responses)
| Every Year |
8% |
| Every 2-3 Years |
48% |
| Every 4-5 Years |
37% |
| Every 6-7 Years |
1% |
| Candidates are not required to recertify |
4% |
| I do not know |
1% |
In addition to your professional credentialing program, do you also offer a certificate program(s)? (37 responses)
| Yes |
27% |
| No |
43% |
| No, but considering launching a certificate program |
19% |
| Do not know |
11% |
Does your organization monitor government legislation that impacts your field of certification? (50 responses)
| Yes |
66% |
| No |
20% |
| No, but we plan to |
6% |
| Do now know |
8% |
How have current economic conditions impacted applications to your certification program? (31 responses)
| Applications have increased |
39% |
| Applications have decreased |
13% |
| Applications have not been impacted |
32% |
| Do not know |
16% |
Are background checks a component of your certification/recertification process? (59 responses)
| Yes |
41% |
| No |
49% |
| No, but we plan to |
5% |
| Do not know |
5% |
What is the retention rate for your certification board? (39 responses)
| 0-25% |
3% |
| 26-50% |
15% |
| 51-75% |
23% |
| 76-100% |
46% |
| Doesn't apply/Do not know |
13% |
Which option does your certification organization see as the best option for recruiting new applicants? (45 responses)
| Mail |
16% |
| Email |
18% |
| Website |
22% |
| Telephone |
4% |
| Ads in industry trade publications |
11% |
| We don't recruit |
20% |
| Unsure |
2% |
| Other |
7% |
What did you find to be most beneficial about your NOCA Membership in 2006? (48 responses)
| Academy Seminars |
10% |
| Annual Conference |
33% |
| Website Resources |
17% |
| NCCA Accreditation |
25% |
| Other |
15% |
2005 Poll Questions
How many different credentials does your certification organization offer? (132 responses)
| 1 - 3 |
63% |
| 4 - 6 |
15% |
| 7 - 9 |
8% |
| 10 or more |
12% |
After initial certification, what percentage of your certificants recertify? (54 responses)
| Less than 25% |
12% |
| 25 - 50% |
14% |
| 51 - 75% |
31% |
| 76 - 90% |
18% |
| 91 - 100% |
22% |
How are the majority of the members of your certification board selected? (49 responses)
| Elected by Certifants |
30% |
| Appointed by the board of a parent organization |
24% |
| Appointed by the certification board after nomination by certificants |
16% |
| Appointed by the certification board |
22% |
| Other |
6% |
What is your organization's tax status? (55 responses)
| 501(c)3 |
34% |
| 501(c)6 |
43% |
| My organization is for profit |
14% |
Do you offer a "retired" credential category and if so, what is the cost to certificants? (72 responses)
| No |
60% |
| Yes-the cost is the same as for our other credentialed members |
6% |
| Yes-less than our other credentialed members |
31% |
| Yes-more than our other credentialed members |
4% |
How many full-time employees work for your certification program? (59 responses)
| 1-3 |
42% |
| 4-6 |
22% |
| 7-10 |
10% |
| 11-20 |
5% |
| 21 or more |
20% |
How often does your certification program conduct a job/task analysis? (59 responses)
| Every year |
8% |
| Between 1 - 5 |
57% |
| Between 6 - 10 years |
17% |
| 11 years or more |
3% |
| We have never conducted a job analysis |
12% |
How often are your certificants required to recertify? (99 votes)
| Every year |
16% |
| 2 - 4 years |
37% |
| 5 - 6 years |
29% |
| 7 - 8 years |
2% |
| 9 years or more |
4% |
| Recertification is not required |
12% |
Is there an international organization (non-U.S. based) that has a competing credential to yours? (44 responses)
| Yes |
41% |
| No |
39% |
| I don't know |
20% |
In the next five years, do you plan on launching another certification program (in addition to your current programs)?
| Yes |
74% |
| No |
11% |
| Maybe |
10% |
| I don't know |
6% |
2004 Poll Questions
What is the most valuable benefit NOCA membership offers?
| Educational seminars and the annual conference |
34% |
| Serving as an information resource |
22% |
| Advocacy on behalf of the certification community |
12% |
| Networking Opportunities |
24% |
| Discounted rates on educational events and publications |
5% |
| Other |
3% |
How long has your certification organization been in existence?
| 0 - 5 years |
13% |
| 6 - 10 years |
17% |
| 11 - 20 years |
26% |
| More than 20 years |
44% |
How much do you charge candidates to take your exam?
| $1 - $100 |
24% |
| $101 - $500 |
63% |
| $501 - $1000 |
9% |
| More than $1000 |
4% |
If an item is performing well, which of the following is the most influential in determining when to remove a question from your organization's item bank?
| Number of test administrations |
16% |
| Number of years the item is used |
7% |
| Job/tast Analysis |
28% |
| Changes in the industry |
49% |
How does your program recertify candidates?
| Continuing Education |
51% |
| Examination |
10% |
| Both |
31% |
| My program does not recertify candidates |
8% |
How do you administer your examination? (134 responses)
| Written Exam |
46% |
| Computer-based Testing |
39% |
| Online Exam |
10% |
| Oral |
2% |
| Other |
3% |
How many countries is your credential offered in? (70 responses)
| 1 - 3 Countries |
58% |
| 4 - 8 Countries |
7% |
| 9 - 15 Countries |
8% |
| 16 - 20 Countries |
5% |
| More than 20 |
20% |
Does your certification organization/agency allow extra testing time for ESL candidates who do not qualify for extra time under the Americans With Disabilities Act? If so do you charge for extra time? (32 responses)
| No |
71% |
| Yes to candidates that request it at no additional cost |
9% |
| Yes to candidates that provide ESL documentation at no additional |
12% |
| Yes to candidates that request it for an additional fee |
3% |
| Yes to candidates that provide ESL documentation for an additional fee |
3% |
What are the educational requirements for your credential? (107 responses)
| High School Diploma |
21% |
| Bachelor's Degree |
23% |
| Bachelor's and Master's Degree |
22% |
| Doctorate |
11% |
| No educational Requirement |
16% |
| Other |
4% |
How have applications for your certification program(s) changed during the last year? (48 responses)
| Applications have decreased |
22% |
| Applications have increased by up to 25% |
31% |
| Applications have increased by 26% - 50% |
27% |
| No change |
18% |
2003 Poll Questions
How have current economic conditions impacted applications to your certification program?
| Applications have increased |
35% |
| Applications have decreased |
31% |
| Applications have not been impacted |
23% |
| Do not know |
11% |
Do individuals who hold a certification from your organization receive higher compensation?
| Yes |
52% |
| No |
28% |
| Do not know |
13% |
| Not applicatble, certification is required |
7% |
Does your Board of Directors have a public member?
| Yes |
62% |
| No |
27% |
| What is a public member? |
11% |
Does your certification program certify individuals outside of the US/Canada?
| Yes (in Mexico/Central America) |
6% |
| Yes (in Europe) |
6% |
| Yes (in Asia) |
9% |
| Yes (in Australia) |
3% |
| Yes (other) |
5% |
| Yes (my program certifies individuals in more than one area above) |
37% |
| No |
34% |