08/22/2019

Certification Coalition Kicks Off Year Two

This month marks the start of year two for the PCC

This month marks the start of year two for the American Society of Association Executives' (ASAE) Professional Certification Coalition (PCC). Created by ASAE and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) – and with support from the Pillsbury law firm – the PCC informs policymakers about the importance of voluntary professional certification and helps uphold responsible standards to certify professionals in all lines of work. 

Check out the coalition’s great work from year one.

In its second year, the PCC will continue to address state legislation that jeopardizes professional certification. In the immediate future, however, the PCC will target two specific state bills. First, in Pennsylvania:

• House Bill 811 would restrict the use of the term “certified” to only credentials issued by the Pennsylvania state government. Overnight, a Certified Association Executive or any other professional certified in their field would lose their right to demonstrate credentials. The PCC believes certification should be defined as an activity primarily conducted by a private (not a government) entity and that government should not be required to offer certification programs when suitable private certification programs exist.

And in Michigan:

• House Bill 4488 would prohibit a licensure board from taking action – without exception – against an individual based on a civil judgement. Further, licensure boards would be prohibited from considering any misdemeanor or felony that does not trigger the state’s interest in “public safety.” “Public health” and “public welfare” are not cited in the bill language.

These bills are only two examples among dozens that saturate state legislatures. If you want to help defend professional certification, visit the PCC’s website to review membership and read the Coalition’s white paper. For more information on professional certification or the PCC, email Jeff Evans, ASAE’s associate director of public policy, at jevans@asaecenter.org.

This article was provided to OSAE by the Power of A and ASAE's Inroads.