Certificate VS Certification

There seems to be a lot of confusion about how one becomes certified in a natural health modality. The following information should help potential students when choosing a natural health course or school.

Schools or individuals can teach a course and offer a Certificate of Completion but they cannot “Certify” a person as being proficient in that particular modality. Certification must come from a 3^rd party certifying board, not a school or individual.

To clarify the distinction between certificate and certification a comparison chart has been provided below.**

Certificate		Certification
Results from an educational process.		Results from an assessment process.
For both newcomers and experienced professionals alike.		Typically requires some amount of professional experience.
Awarded by educational program providers or institutions.		Awarded by a third party, standard-setting organization.
Indicates completion of a course or series of courses with specific focus; is different than a degree granting program.		Indicates mastery/competency as measured against a defensible set of standards, usually by application or exam.
Course content set a variety of ways (faculty committee, dean, instructor); occasionally through defensible analysis of topic area.		Standards set through a defensible, industry-wide process (job analysis/role delineation) that results in an outline of required knowledge and skills.
Usually listed on a resume detailing education; may issue a document to hang on the wall.		Typically results in a designation to use after one’s name (CCI, CCII); may result in a document to hang or to keep in a wallet.
Is the end result; demonstrates knowledge of course content at the end of a set period in time.		Has ongoing requirements in order to maintain; holder must demonstrate he/she continues to meet requirements. For example, CCIs and other allied health professionals are required to complete annual CEUs to keep their certifications.
May provide the basis and gateway for achieving a degree.		No relationship with attaining higher education or degree.

The terms certification and  designation are also often confused or used incorrectly.

• Certification is a process that results in credentials, e.g. CCI.
• A designation simply refers to the letters someone uses after their name (PNP, MH, MI, ).

The Southern Institute of Natural Health is a school, we issue certificates and provide information on how you can pursue “Certification” from the appropriate certifying board.