Understand the Difference Between a Certificate and Certification Program

While the terms certificate and certification are often used interchangeably, they represent two distinct types of programs—each with unique goals, structures, and outcomes. Knowing the difference is important if you’re creating a credentialing program or working toward accreditation.

I.C.E. provides practical tools and expert guidance to help you evaluate your program’s objectives, design, and maintenance needs—so you can confidently choose the program type that best fits your organization and audience.

We encourage you to use these resources in your program’s messaging and share them on your website. This helps your community clearly understand what makes your program unique.

Terminology Document

Certificate vs. Certification: Know the Difference

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
To earn accreditation, complies with the ICE 1100 Standard and follows the ACAP application procedures	To earn accreditation, complies with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs and follows the NCCA application procedures

Explore I.C.E.'s Program Design Resources

Video - Certificate vs. Certification: What's the Difference?

Watch this quick video to understand the foundational distinctions between these two program types.

Guidance Document: Defining Features of Quality Certification and Assessment-Based Certificate Programs

Dive deeper into the key differences among:

Assessment-based certificate programs
Certificates of attendance or participation
Professional or personnel certification programs

This resource outlines 12 critical distinctions to help you make informed design and accreditation decisions.

Download the Guidance Document

Webinar Series – Assessment-Based Certificate Programs

This three-part series explores the purpose of assessment-based certificate programs and highlights best practices in instructional design. Free for I.C.E. members.

Access the Webinar

Interactive Pathway

Not sure which program type or accreditation process is right for you? The pathway helps you locate where you are in the accreditation process and guides you down a “path” that may be right for you. Through a series of questions and statements, assess whether you are ready to develop a certificate or certification program, grow an already established program, or explore accreditation.

Navigate Your Pathway