Tips to help you research credentialing programs
Consumers and legislators have made it clear that case managers must be certified in order to continue to work in many practice settings. Certification is that "Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval" that says you have the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to provide high-quality case management services.
However, with so many case management credentials to choose from, it’s important for case managers to thoroughly research the credential and the credentialing board before investing their time and money. Jeanne Boling, MSN, CRRN, CDMS, CCM, executive director of the Case Management Society of America in Little Rock, AR, suggests case managers ask themselves the following questions before filling out an application for a case management certification exam:
• Will you likely practice in your current location or practice setting for the duration of your career, or is it possible that you might need to change practice settings?
"If change is possible, consider a more generally accepted certification rather than a specialty certification," suggests Boling.
• What will your investment in certification mean to your career development?
"In other words, will it lead to a promotion? Will it lead to a higher salary? Will it help you get hired? Will your employer reimburse you for the certification, and who will pay for continuing education fees and recertification fees, you or your employer?" asks Boling.
• What is the total cost of certification?
• How often is recertification required, and what does it cost to become recertified?
• Will future legislation and regulations affect your practice or your need for credentials?
"It’s important to check both federal and state programs which apply to your practice," notes Boling. "Many state and federal policy-makers are discussing the need for certification."
• Will consumers begin to understand there is a difference between certified professionals and uncertified professionals?
After asking what certification means from a career development perspective, Boling says case managers must research the certification process and the credentialing bodies that oversee them. "Once you’ve decided to pursue certification, the next step is to select the best certification for you," she notes. "Check out the certification organizations. If you are going to invest your time, energies, and money, be sure your investment is a good one."
Boling suggests case managers answer the following questions about each certification they consider:
• Is the credentialing board a not-for-profit agency with a program that is national in scope?
• Is the credentialing board recognized by your professional society?
• How long has the certification been offered?
• Does the credentialing examination have the ability to keep pace with industry changes?
• Is the credentialing program administratively and financially independent of the parent association and free from conflict of interest?
• How many certificants are currently active?
• Are there enough certificants to be significant on a national basis?
• Will your credential be recognizable to others in your field?
• Are the examination questions free of bias and nondiscriminatory?
• How are pass/fail scores established?
• Has anyone been granted the credential without achieving a passing score?
• Is there a formal disciplinary policy designed to protect the public?
• Are there standards or codes of ethics for certificants?
• Is the certifying agency separate and independent from any associated educational body?
• Are the eligibility criteria logically appropriate to relevant job requirements?
• Does at least one member of the public serve as a member of the governing board?
• Are reliability statistics published following each administration of the exam?
• Has the validity of the exam been established by a national job analysis survey?
• Is the certifying organization practicing in compliance with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies in Washington, DC?
"Once you confirm the value to your career development and establish the certifying organization’s worthiness, apply and complete the process," urges Boling. "Certification is a means of validating to the public that a professional has achieved a given level of experience, education, and expertise. Relevant certification in general is professionally and financially beneficial to case managers at each level of practice."
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