Professional certification offers individuals a wide range of important benefits. The certification designation demonstrates to current and potential employers that the employee possesses a solid foundation of experience and education in a field of endeavor that can have a positive impact on bottom-line results. Certification symbolizes knowledge and accomplishment and is highly regarded by colleagues and employers. As a certified professional, the employee can proudly join a successful group of professionals who are enriching and advancing their careers and their chosen professions. Specific benefits include the following:

 

Professionalism -- Certification indicates a high level of professionalism to both coworkers and customers, increasing one's value in the market place.

 

Leadership -- Certification signifies an employee as dedicated to continuous improvement of himself/herself.

 

Recognition -- Only a small fraction of professionals ever achieve certification, indicating that they are a leading professional in their fields.

 

Knowledge -- Certification will improve one's understanding of the most current processes and trends in one's profession.

 

Ethical Behavior—Individuals who become certified must subscribe to a rigorous code of ethics appropriate to the specific profession.

 

Research data has shown that employers typically reward certified employees with salaries that are 25 to 40% higher than those who are not certified. A high correlation between certification and salary exists for virtually all professions and all industries sampled.