certification

the act of certifying or bestowing a franchise on confirmation that some fact or statement is true through the use of documentary evidence a document attesting to the truth of certain stated facts validating the authenticity of something or someone

A certification, or qualification, is a designation earned by a person, product or process. Certification may be a synonym for licensure but more often licensure applies only to persons and is required by law (whereas certification is generally voluntary). Certification of persons indicates that the individual has a specific knowledge, skills, or abilities in the view of the certifying body. Similarly, certification of products indicates their reputed suitability for a specified purpose (e.g. a computer system might be certified as being fully compatible with a large software package).The rise of the Internet has led to a new kind of certification for websites. Website certifications exist to certify the website's privacy policy, security of their financial transactionfinancial transactions, suitability for Minor (law)minors, etc.People become certified through training and/or passing an exam. Products become certified through Quality_assurancetesting. Individuals often advertise their status by appending the certification abbreviation to their name (e.g. "Jane Doe, RHCE"). Strictly speaking, most certifications do not grant post-nominals and it is usually the professional certifications that do.Certifications may be perpetual, may need to be renewed periodically, or may be valid for a specific period of time (e.g. the life-time of the product upon which the individual is certified). Although it is more common in regards to licensure, sometimes as part or whole of the renewal of an individual's certification, the individual must show evidence of continual learning — often termed continuing education — or earning continuing education units (CEU).Certifications are offered through a ''certification body''. This is usually a business organization. Sometimes, the organization's business is directly related to the certification, as in a software firm that certifies individuals as competent to use its products. In other cases, an organization (often a not-for-profit organization) exists wholly, or in large part, to offer a particular certification. Whatever its nature, the certifying body determines the policies of the ''certification program''. Potential consumers of a certification wish to understand the nature of the certifying body and the certification process. An individual who bears a designation but appears unable to perform competently is said to be a paper tiger because their resume suggests that they are more effective than they actually are.An increasing number of lawyers are choosing to be recognized as having special knowledge and experience by becoming certified specialists in certain fields of law. According to The American Bar Association, a lawyer who is a certified specialist has been recognized by an independent professional certifying organization as having an enhanced level of skill and expertise, as well as substantial involvement in an established legal specialty. These organizations require a lawyer to demonstrate special training, experience and knowledge to insure that the lawyer's recognition as a certified specialist is meaningful and reliable. Lawyer conduct with regard to specialty certification is regulated by the states. The ABA’s abanet.org - Standing Committee on Specializationis an excellent resource.Certifications are very common in industry, and in particular the computer industry. The National Organization of Certification Agencies (NOCA) is a US-based organization which helps certification bodies with information. Many members of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP) are certification bodies, a segment of the ATP membership which is experiencing strong growth in the late 1990s and 2000s.The exponential growth in the number of computer-related certifications coupled with the relative ease of their acquisition has led to their devaluation in the eyes of many people in the technology field. In some cases, exam content is easily found by certification seekers (through less-than-honorable methods such as "brain dump" web sites) allowing them to gain certification without knowing, or even understanding, the concepts being tested. Certifying agencies have responded in various ways. Some certification tests have incorporated hands-on testing, although there is no evidence that this reduces cheating or improves reliability or validity. Many have explored anti-cheating methodologies (e.g., Caveon caveon.com) or expanded their exam content. Others have simply raised the price of certification, in a bid to reduce exam resits (and increase the profit margin per head). Faced with this difficult problem, many certifying agencies have not made any changes.

Abbreviated listing of computer-related certifications -

CompTIA's A PlusA+, Network PlusNetwork+, Linux PlusLinux+, etc.

European Computer Driving Licence and International Computer Driving Licence

Several offered by Linux Professional Institute

Microsoft's Microsoft Certified ProfessionalMCP certifications: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support TechnicianMCDST, MCSA, MCSE, MCDBA, Microsoft Certified TrainerMCT, Microsoft Certified Application DeveloperMCAD, MCSD, and MOUSMicrosoft Office Specialist

Red Hat's RHCE, RHCT and RHCA

sageweb.sage.org - cSAGE Certification

Cisco Systems, Inc.'s CCNA, CCNP, CCIE, etc.

MySQL has a mysql.com - certification program

Others listed at !http://www.certmag.com/issues/ jan02/feature_sosbe.cfm

Novell has a large and extensive certification program

!Sun_Certified_ProfessionalSun Microsystems: Sun Certified Java ProgrammerSCJP, Sun Certified Java DeveloperSCJD, !Sun_Certified_Enterprise_Archi tectSCEA,

Oracle databaseOracle: DBO, OCA, OCP, OCM, JDEV orafaq.com

Brainbench brainbench.com - certifications

Non-computer-related certification example (off-site) - Certifications are not limited to computer technologies...

The bjcp.org - Certified Beer Judge Program (BJCP) has certified over 2000 amateur brewers and beer-lovers, mainly in the United States

Certification news sites -

certmag.com - Certmag Lots of in-depth 'no registration required' articles

inesystems.com - SCJP Sun certified java programmer Certification exam SCJP 5.0 details with questions prepared by experts.

certcities.com - Certcities Has a 'Big Portal' feel, seems extremely busy with new content all the time

supportinsight.com - Support Insight Magazine reports on certification issues from a technology support perspective

!cisco-certification-central.co m - Cisco Certification Articles/News Resource

mcse-explained.com - MCSE Articles/News Resource

Information Systems Security Certification - In an information systems environment that requires formal security Accreditationaccreditation. Certification refers to the comprehensive evaluation of the technical and non-technical security features of an information system.Certification is formally defined by Krutz and Vines asThe comprehensive evaluation of the technical and non-technical security features of an information system and the other safeguards, with are created in support of the accreditation proces to establish the extent to which a particular design and implementation meets the set of specified security !requirments.''Category:Standar dsde:Zertifizierung

References -

Krutz, Ronald L. and Vines, Russell Dean, The CISSP Prep Guide; Gold Edition, Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana, 2003.

Changes Training Centre
Changes Training Centre (CTC) is a private post-secondary educational institution fully registered and accredited by the Private Career Training Institutions Association of British Columbia (PCTIA). Featuring Diploma programs in General Insurance, Accounting and Payroll, Management, Administration, and more. Certifications include PMCP, Real Estate, and CFP. Contact us at 604-852-1233, (toll free 1-877-852-1233) email info@changestraining.com or go to www.changestraining.com for more information.
http://www.changestraining.com/

Urban Krag Climbing Center
The Urban Krag is Ohio's premier indoor rock climbing facility. Featuring 8000 square feet of textured and sculpted vertical terrain with heights ranging from 28 to 56 feet. A fully stocked pro-shop, lockers, showers, weight room and the biggest climbing wall in the state
http://www.urbankrag.com/

C E O
We do REQUIRED safety training (FED and CAL OSHA) We offer over over 30 types of training. CPR, Hazwoper, Train the Trainer, Mobile Equipment operator Certification,Compet Person, etc
http://www.equipcert.com/

BestTests.com
Free computer certification practice exams and study guides for MCSE, CCNA, MSDST, Comptia A+ and Comptia Network+
http://www.besttests.com/

Online Business
Internet marketing information that you can use to make more money in your business
http://www.markeyting.com/

C-Tech Associates, Inc.
Developer and manufacturer of certified training programs, providing educators and students around the nation with the finest technology education track available.
http://www.c-techtraining.com/

Protomation - In control by simulation.
Protomation develops software instruments and renders technical services for the oil, gas and chemical industry and production facilities. Our background includes over 20 years of ndustrial engineering experience in software development, electronics, system analyses, process control and chemical processes.
http://www.protomation.com

QT Cases - Custom Shipping Cases
QT Cases designs and manufactures custom shipping cases and flight cases for use in entertainment, medical and high-tech industries.
http://www.qtcases.com/

NLP Marin
At NLP Marin, Neuro-Linguistic Programming has become famous for asking, and then guiding you to effectively answer, two important questions: What would you like? and What stops you? Using the NLP Marin model, the clarifying work that is done between and around these two questions gets at an inner truth, unique to each person, which then allows lives and relationships and careers to transform.
http://www.nlpmarin.com/

Lite-Check - Intelligent Trailer Testers
Lite-Check Trailer Testers provide a process driven approach to testing, inspecting and certifying trailers.
http://www.lite-check.com

Process Studio - In control by simulation
Process Studio is an integral PC-based program that offers insight into process runs, thereby making them easier to control. This training program makes it possible to simulate specific process situations, or even crisis situations. With Process Studio, operators have an opportunity to understand and control highly complex processes. The program is suitable for both beginners and experienced employees. This leads to improved reliability of operation, less malfunctions and thus higher returns.
http://www.process-studio.com

www.comptec.com
CompTEC is a Microsoft Certified Partner for Learning Solutions, (MCPLS) (formerly known as Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center (CTEC), and a Cisco Sponsored Learning partner In beautiful West Palm Beach, Florida
http://www.comptec.com/

ENGLISH for Life TESOL Training Academy
ENGLISH for Life's TESOL Certification Course includes 100 hours of practical instruction, plus a 50-hour supervised practicum. You will finish this course with an experiential and theoretical foundation on how to facilitate a quality ESL class anywhere in the world. THE WHOLE WORLD IS WAITING FOR YOU!
http://www.english-forlife.com/

Scuba Diving Thailand, Liveaboard Diving Phuket and PADI 5 Star IDC Centre Patong Beach
Liveaboard diving Thailand - Scuba Diving Phuket, Similan Islands and Phi Phi - PADI International Resort Association Member. Thailand only Go-Eco Operator and Phuket's first National Geographic Dive Center.
http://www.diving-in-phuket.com/

Qualitätsgemeinschaft Deutsche Bauchemie e.V.
Notified Body for inspection and certification of factory production control for construction chemicals. ***** Bundesweit anerkannte und notifizierte Überwachungs- und Zertifizierungsstelle für Betonzusatzmittel und Schutz- und Instandsetzungsprodukte für Betonbauteile
http://www.qdb.de/

R. K. College of Systems & Management
Creating a niche in IT education in New Delhi since 1997
http://www.rkcsm.com/

Disaster Recovery Institute Asia (DRI Asia)
DRI Asia is a not-for-profit corporation established in 1st December 2001 to create a base of common disaster recovery and business continuity planning knowledge through education, assistance, and the development of a resource base; to certify qualified individuals; and to promote the credibility and professionalism of certified professionals.
http://www.driasia.org/

The Centre for Coach Training
Accredited, licensed, career school that trains professionals in the art and science of coaching. The business and personal coach is a relative young profession. Our credentials set us apart among coach training schools.
http://www.centreforcoachtraining.com/

ICS Sensor Processing
ICS Sensor Processing - a member of Radstone Embedded Computing - is a leading provider of open-architecture data acquisition products for the high-end embedded sensor processing market. ICS products are used in Sonar, Acoustic Test and Measurement, Radar, Military and Commercial Wireless, and, RF Test and Measurement applications. The combination of our data acquisition technology and applications expertise in DSP and software radio with Radstone's broad range of rugged computer products, enable us to provide a complete system solution from data acquisition through to operator displays. ICS customers include: all major US and international defense and aerospace companies; Government laboratories and major telecom equipment manufacturers.
http://www.ics-ltd.com/

NCSA Online Certifications
National Computer Science Academy (NCSA) offers online certifications exams and training on Windows, Office, HTML, and much more!
http://www.ncsacademy.com/

Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists
The Canadian Society of Respiratory Therapists represents registered respiratory therapists in Canada on national issues. It is a national, professional, not-for-profit organization. It maintains a national standard of practice and awards the internaltionally recognized RRT designation to those members who pass the national exam.
http://www.csrt.com/

Thawte Digital Certificate Services
Thawte is the second largest Internet Certificate Authority that provides digital certificate products, services and PKI solutions world-wide.
http://www.thawte.com/

Microsoft Corporation
Designs, develops, manufactures, licenses, sells and supports a wide range of software products. (Nasdaq: MSFT).
http://www.microsoft.com/

Certification Magazine Online
Certification Magazine is the magazine for IT professionals aspiring to get certified, further their certification, and trying to keep on top of latest trends in certification.
http://www.CertMag.com

Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals
Offers the only broadly applicable and internationally recognized certification program in the profession.
http://www.iccp.org/