How to Define High-Quality Credentials

The world of career and technical education (CTE) offers countless opportunities to recognize student achievement and verify skills through credentialing. According to a 2022 report by Credential Engine, there are over one million unique credentials offered by nearly 60,000 providers across the country.

With the vast number of options available, understanding what makes a high-quality credential is essential for measuring competence and workforce readiness in CTE programs. Let’s explore how to assess the value and quality of technical credentials.

The Components of High-Quality Credentials

When evaluating the quality of a credential, we consider four key components that help to determine its value: 

• Developed by a recognized organization that adheres to industry best practices and accreditation standards.
• Aligned with established industry standards ensuring relevance to workforce needs.
• Fair, unbiased, and objective, maintaining credibility in assessment and evaluation.
• Provides comprehensive data and score reporting, supporting informed decision-making.

Let’s take a closer look at each component and how they influence high-quality credentials. 

Accredited Organizations

When evaluating a credential, start by ensuring it’s developed by a reputable organization. One key accrediting body is the International Certification Accreditation Council (ICAC), which provides high-quality, cost-effective accreditation services to certifying bodies that adhere to international standards. ICAC ensures that credentialing organizations meet the ISO 17204 standard set by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), which outlines the standards for quality and reliable certification programs.

NOCTI/NBS is fully accredited by ICAC, ensuring the organization has been independently evaluated against international standards. This accreditation signifies NOCTI/NBS credentials align with ISO 17024, following best practices in industry-recognized certification.

NOCTI also follows the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing developed jointly by the American Education Association (AERA), the American Psychological Association (APA), and the National Council of Measurement in Education (NCME).

Industry Standards

Next, examine how a credential aligns with industry standards, which define the essential skills needed for success in a specific industry. Following industry standards ensures credentials and certifications are credible and relevant, as they are built on real-world insights from today’s industry leaders.

Who has created the credential and how are they connected to the relevant industry?

Answering these questions helps determine whether a credential will verify that someone has the skills and knowledge needed for success.

Every credential and certification NOCTI/NBS offers is developed through collaborations with qualified Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to ensure alignment with industry standards. To learn more about how we uphold these standards in our credentialing programs, read this blog. 

Unbiased and Objective Testing

Another factor in evaluating high-quality credentials is to confirm that credentialing assessments undergo a rigorous quality control process to ensure validity, reliability, and legal defensibility.

Every NOCTI/NBS credential goes through pilot testing, an essential part of refining assessments to align with industry standards. To learn more about the pilot testing process and our overall credential development, visit the Custom Development section of our website. 

Comprehensive Data and Score Reporting

Relevant data is the foundation of continuous program improvement. By analyzing assessment data, educators can determine whether students are truly learning and identify ways to improve the learning experience.

High-quality data provides deeper insights beyond a simple pass or fail score. Using data comparatively and identifying patterns helps educators understand the “why” behind a student’s score and can help to uncover strategies to improve the overall success rates. The more granular the data, the more precise the analysis, leading to valuable insights.

This is why comprehensive data and score reporting is a key factor in evaluating high-quality credentials. Credentialing organizations that openly share data and reports demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement and assessment refinement. Resources from the Association for Career & Technical Education (ACTE) can further support organizations in this process. 

NOCTI/NBS’s comprehensive competency scores and pre/post-test data help educators recognize student achievement, drive program improvement, and meet legislative data requirements. Visit this blog to learn more about how to use relevant data to strengthen results. 

NOCTI/NBS Provides High-Quality Credentials

At NOCTI/NBS, we are committed to ensuring our high-quality credentials deliver real value, empowering both students and the workforce.

With over five decades of experience in CTE, we provide comprehensive services, in-depth reporting, and industry resources that help credentialing partners meet regulatory requirements while driving data-driven program improvements and student success.

Beyond our services, NOCTI/NBS’s connections within the education community foster meaningful dialogue with key strategic partners. As an active member of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP), we uphold the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and integrity in assessment services. ATP members are dedicated to advancing the value of credentialing in society. 

Contact NOCTI to connect with our team and learn more about our high-quality credentials. 

In future blogs, we’ll explore how quality credentials impact workforce development and the value of quality credentials for students. Stay tuned!