More and more, employers view certification as a way to assess whether an individual has the skills and knowledge required for success in a particular position. Employers want to hire the most qualified person to provide quality care. Certification demonstrates that those individuals:

• Have met standards that have been established and verified by a third-party organization.
• Are dedicated professionals to maintaining their quality of work.

In some cases, certification is required by certain state and federal laws in order for individuals to fully practice in the field. For example, in certain practice settings, medical assistants must be credentialed when entering orders in the EMR. Another example is licensure requirements for medical technologists working in particular states.

Certification represents a declaration of professional competence, both current and ongoing. This declaration is for the individual’s benefit, as well as for the employer and for the public.