GISCI offers a certification program. What is the difference between certification, licensure, accreditation, and certificates?
• Certification: A process, often voluntary, by which individuals who have demonstrated a level of expertise in the profession are identified to the public and other stakeholders by a third party. Designed to recognize expertise. • Licensure: The granting of a license to practice a profession. Often regulated by states and indoctrinated in legislation. Designed to guard against incompetence. • Certificate: An award given to an individual recognizing completion of an academic or training program. A list of certificate programs at colleges and universities is available at: http://www.urisa.org/career/colleges • Accreditation: The process of evaluating the academic qualifications or standards of an institution or program of study in accordance with pre-established criteria.
