Industry Certification Tracks

American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA)
To ensure that its members meet professional standards of excellence, AHIMA issues credentials in health information management, coding, and healthcare privacy and security. Members earn credentials through a combination of education and experience, and finally performance on national certification exams. Following their initial certification, AHIMA members must maintain their credentials and thereby the highest level of competency for their employers and consumers through rigorous continuing education requirements.

Example of AHIMA Certification:
Certified Coding Associate (CCA) -- Earning a CCA demonstrates a commitment to coding even for those who are new in the field. CCA holders will also distinguish themselves from non-credentialed coders and those who hold credentials from other organizations that do not require the higher level of expertise necessary to earn AHIMA certification.

Web link:  http://www.ahima.org/certification/index.asp

American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AH&LA)
Achieve the world's highest recognition for hospitality excellence through Professional Certification from the AH&LA Educational Institute.

Example of Certification:
Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) -- Today's successful general managers and top hospitality professionals must have effective human resources and property management expertise, sound judgment ,and practical skills. They must keep pace with change, improve their knowledge, and share their experience with others. The Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) designation provides recognition for these skills. Recognized worldwide, the CHA designation is the premier symbol of professional achievement for lodging executives.

Web link:  http://www.ei-ahla.org/certification.asp

American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB)
AIPB is the bookkeeping profession's national association. AIPB's mission is to achieve recognition of bookkeepers as accounting professionals, to keep bookkeepers up to date on changes in bookkeeping, accounting and tax, to answer bookkeepers' everyday bookkeeping and accounting questions, and to certify bookkeepers who meet high, national standards. Founded in 1987.

Example of AIPB Certification:
Certified Bookkeeper (CB) -- In 1998, the American Institute of Professional Bookkeepers (AIPB), the bookkeeping profession’s association, established the Certified Bookkeeper program. Certification demonstrates the ability to handle all the books for a firm of up to 100 employees.

Web link:  http://www.aipb.com/

American Payroll Association (APA)
APA certification is a valuable, objective credential that verifies a specified level of knowledge, skills, and abilities in the payroll profession. Certification helps individuals demonstrate their payroll expertise, secure promotions, advance their careers, and enhance their standing within the profession. APA offers two levels of certification.

Example of APA Certification:
Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) -- A certification credential for those with some experience in payroll.

Web link:  http://www.americanpayroll.org/certi.html

Association of Professionals in Business Management
The mission of the Association of Professionals in Business Management is to make business management a profession - similar to law, medicine, engineering, and accounting - through the CBM and CABM certifications, continuing education, and a code of ethics.

Example of Certification:
Certified Business Manager (CBM) -- Historically, the MBA degree has been the most identifiable symbol of a business management education. Now, the Certified Business Manager (CBM) professional certification is another such a symbol. The CBM is a masters-level certification based on an MBA curriculum and should be earned during, after, or in lieu of an MBA.

Web link:  http://www.apbm.org/

Certified Internet Web Professional (CIW)
The CIW certification program validates job-role skills competency for entry-level job seekers and seasoned professionals alike. Candidates can earn CIW certificates in various Information Technology (IT) job roles, from the foundational CIW Associate certification, continuing to CIW Professional and specialization certifications, and up to advanced-level Master CIW certifications.

Example of CIW Certification:
CIW Associate -- Certified CIW Associates possess the basic hands-on skills and knowledge that Internet professionals are expected to understand and use. Foundational skills include basic knowledge of Internet technologies, network infrastructure, and Web authoring using HTML.

Web link:  http://www.ciwcertified.com/certifications/program.asp?comm=CND&llm=3

Cisco Systems
The widely respected Cisco Career Certifications bring valuable, measurable rewards to network professionals, their managers, and the organizations that employ them.

Example of Cisco Certification:
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) -- The CCNA certification indicates a foundation in and apprentice knowledge of networking. CCNA certified professionals can install, configure, and operate LAN, WAN, and dial access services for small networks (100 nodes or fewer), including but not limited to use of these protocols: IP, IGRP, Serial, Frame Relay, IP RIP, VLANs, RIP, Ethernet, Access Lists.

Web link:  http://www.cisco.com/web/learning/le3/learning_career_certifications_and_learning_paths_home.html

Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA)
CompTIA certification programs are the recognized industry standards for foundation-level information technology (IT) skills. Best known for the A+ certification, CompTIA offers many certifications in key technology areas. Many of our certifications are electives or prerequisites toward advanced certifications, such as Microsoft's MCSA and Novell's CNE.

Example of CompTIA Certification:
CompTIA A+ -- Earning A+ certification proves that a candidate has a broad base of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance and basic networking.

Web link:  http://www.comptia.org/certification/default.aspx

The International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners (ISFCE)
The International Society of Forensic Computer Examiners is dedicated to the advancement of the science of forensic computer examinations.

Example of ISFCE Certification:
Certified Computer Examiner (CCE) -- The purpose of this certification is to professionalize and further the science of computer forensics, provide a fair, uncompromised process for certifying the competency of forensic computer examiners, set high forensic and ethical standards for forensic computer examiners, and conduct research and development into new and emerging technologies and methods in the science of computer forensics.

Web link:  http://certified-computer-examiner.com/

Microsoft Certified Professional
Microsoft Certified Professionals (MCPs) stand apart from other IT personnel. They've demonstrated undeniable expertise with Microsoft products and platforms to colleagues, employers, and—most importantly—to themselves.
Example of MCP Certification:
Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) -- Earn the Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification and prove your expertise in designing and implementing the infrastructure for business solutions based on the Microsoft Windows 2000 platform and Microsoft Windows Server System.

Web link:  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/certifications.asp

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS)
Microsoft Office Specialist certification can launch your career. Certification shows that you're an expert with Microsoft Office programs. It also sets you apart in today's competitive job market, with skills to accomplish any Microsoft Office project.

Example of MOS Certification:
Word 2003 Specialist -- Office Specialist exams provide a valid and reliable measure of technical proficiency and expertise by evaluating your overall comprehension of Office or Microsoft Project programs, your ability to use their advanced features, and your ability to integrate the Office programs with other software programs.

Web link:  http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/officespecialist/

The National Association of Legal Assistants (NALA)
In 1976, The National Association of Legal Assistants established the CLA (Certified Legal Assistant) program, which has enabled the profession to develop a strong and responsive self-regulatory program offering a nationwide credential for legal assistants.

Example of NALA Certification:
Certified Legal Assistant (CLA) -- Use of the CLA credential signifies that a legal assistant is capable of providing superior services to firms and corporations. National surveys consistently show Certified Legal Assistants are better paid and better utilized in a field where attorneys are looking for a credible, dependable way to measure ability. The credential has been recognized by the American Bar Association as a designation which marks a high level of professional achievement. The CLA credential has also been recognized by over 47 legal assistant organizations and numerous bar associations.

Web link:  http://www.nala.org/cert.htm#

National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives (NAPSR)
The National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives was initiated to educate, train, create standards and provide current information for the many professional Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives as well as for individuals who want to gain entry into the industry.

Example of NAPSR Certification:
Certified National Pharmaceutical Representative (CNPR) -- A CNPR is a federally trademarked certification mark conferred by the National Association of Pharmaceutical Sales Representatives (NAPSR) for those who want to gain entry into the pharmaceutical industry and for current pharmaceutical representatives. The CNPR® examination is dedicated to increasing the professional level of NAPSR® members and to developing meaningful and ethical standards fully accepted by its members and members of the pharmaceutical community.

Web link:  http://napsronline.org/certification.html

The North American Small Business International Trade Educators (NASBITE)
The NASBITE association, in cooperation with Professional Examination Service of New York and other project partners, has developed a national trade credential which provides a benchmark for competency in global commerce.

Example of Certification:
Certified Global Business Professional (CGBP) -- The NASBITE CGBP provides a benchmark for competency in global commerce. The CGBP designation demonstrates an individual's ability to conduct global business including Global Business Management, Global Marketing, Supply Chain Management, and Trade Finance.

Web link:  http://www.nasbitecgbp.org/goto/tradecredential

North American Technician Excellence, Inc. (NATE)
NATE is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration (HVAC/R) industry and is the only test supported by the entire industry.

Example of NATE Certification:
Certified Air Conditioning Installer -- A technician taking a CORE INSTALLATION and an AIR CONDITIONING INSTALLATION test and passing them becomes certified in Air Conditioning Installation. He is awarded a wallet card, certificate, and a white NATE patch and blue Air Conditioning Installation chevron.

Web link:  http://www.natex.org/certification.htm

National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE)
Until the early 1970s, consumers had no way to distinguish between incompetent and competent mechanics. In response to this need, the independent, non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) was established in 1972. ASE's mission is to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service through the testing and certification of repair and service professionals.

Example(s) of ASE Certification:
ASE Certified Parts Specialist -- The Automobile Parts Specialist Test (P2) was developed in cooperation with the aftermarket wholesale and retail automobile parts industry to assess the knowledge of the skills necessary to work competently as a parts specialist at a retail or jobber parts store. Automobile parts specialists must possess knowledge about a wide range of vehicle component systems for all makes and models, as well as customer relations, sales, merchandising, vehicle identification, cataloging, and inventory management skills.

Web link:
http://www.ase.com/Content/NavigationMenu/Service_Professionals1/Getting_Certified/Certification_Information.htm

The Travel Institute
Established in 1964, The Travel Institute serves as a community of knowledge and insight for all travel professionals. Through innovative education programs, professional certifications and customized learning solutions, The Institute fulfills its non-profit mission to promote a standard of industry knowledge and excellence.

Example of Certification:
Certified Travel Associate (CTA) -- The Certified Travel Associate (CTA) program teaches front line travel professionals how to close more sales, improve efficiency, expand their geography knowledge and fine-tune their customer service skills, all while earning widely recognized industry credentials.

Web link:  http://www.thetravelinstitute.com/home.cfm?tn=standard&menuid=4&navids=1,4&pageid=7