If you want to show potential employers that you have a certain skill, you should get certified. Certification is typically attained by testing through an established industry body. If you pass the test, you’ll get the certification.
Certification may be required to secure a position in your field, depending on the nature of your desired role. Find out the ins and outs of certification, including how it can help your career and what it will cost you.
Certified: Its Meaning and Some Cases
An employer will know that you have the knowledge and abilities necessary to accomplish your work well if you have earned a certification in that area. Certifications are typically issued by private organizations rather than public ones. Exams are typically needed to earn credentials in a field.
Certification is typically needed for jobs in the healthcare industry, IT, HR, sales, and skilled professions. Certifications may be valid in more than one industry. Business and professional services, manufacturing, oil and gas, and perhaps even more sectors may all be open to hiring project managers with the Project Management Professional (PMP) credential.
Where do I go to get certified?
Although the terms are commonly used interchangeably, certification and licensure are distinct. Licensing grants the legal permission to work in a certain field, whereas certification attests to the holder’s competence in that field.
Some workers in certain fields are required to get a license in addition to a certification. A registered nurse, for instance, must hold a valid license from the state in which they practice. A specialist certification in, say, pediatrics, is another option. To practice as an RN, you need a license, but certification is usually not necessary. However, some companies may still favor or even require it.
Should I Get a License?
A valid credential may be required for some jobs. A certification can help you stand out from the competition and earn a higher salary or position than your peers who do not have the same qualification.
Certifications are more commonly required in certain fields than others. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) found that the highest rates of workers with certifications but no licenses were seen in the following fields:
Science and technology (6.6%)
Social and community services (4.6%).
Maintenance (4.1%).
Transactions involving money and business (3.5%).
Legal (3.3%)
Doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals (3.%)
Careers That May Require a Credential
Certification could be useful for many workers, especially in rapidly expanding industries. Some professions that typically require certification are listed below.
Actuary: Actuaries can earn credentials from the Society of Actuaries (SOA) or the Casualty Actuarial Society (CAS), depending on their area of expertise. Actuaries must spend many months studying for seven tests to acquire the associate level of certification. Most students who enroll in a bachelor’s program will pass at least one exam. Certification in this area, if obtained, offers substantial benefits: The Bureau of Labor Statistics puts the median annual income of actuaries at $111,030. Over the next decade, employment in this sector is projected to grow by 18%.
Information security analyst: A good one will have a bachelor’s degree in computer science or a similar discipline and, ideally, will also hold a certification in information security. One such all-encompassing credential is the Certified Information Systems Security Professional. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for information security analysts is $103,590. There will be 31% more work available in this sector during the next decade.
Technicians for wind turbines: A great example of professionals for whom a credential rather than a university degree is sufficient for entry-level employment. Technicians in the wind energy industry usually have certificates or associate degrees in the field. However, certain companies may give preference to applicants who have earned credentials in areas like tower climbing or electrical safety in the workplace. The BLS reports that the median annual wage for wind turbine technicians is $56,230, and that employment in this profession is expected to grow by 61% over the next decade.
How much does it cost to get certified?
Certification fees can be somewhat different from one certification to the next and from one area to the next. It may cost several hundred dollars to become certified in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, for instance. High-level IT certificates, on the other hand, can cost several thousand dollars.
The costs of professional certifications and other forms of ongoing education may be covered by your company. Ask your management or human resources department if they will pay for your certification before you do.
For more information on obtaining a certification look below: