Professional credentials allow you to place initials, acronyms and abbreviations after your name AND can increase your potential to earn higher income. Photo by Carol.

He did it. He went ahead and did it.

My office manager drew a proverbial line in the sand.

Feeling underpaid since switching professions and starting a new job, I met with the Human Resources manager to request a review of my related experience, my value to the team, and the range of my peers’ salaries. I was confident that my suspicions would be confirmed, and that I would be rewarded with a raise.

I was right. I got a rare mid-year pay increase.

I got something else, too.

The pay increase arrived with a clear message from the office manager: obtain a specific certification or there would be no more pay increases and I wouldn’t be eligible for a promotion to the next level.

Seems straightforward enough. And fair enough, too. An employer can establish a criterion for a job performance level. Ideally, such criterion will be clearly stated in well-defined job descriptions.

Certification vs. Licensure

I’m not referring to licensure, which is a requirement some professions must meet before legally performing work in a governmental jurisdiction. For example, physicians, lawyers, and architects need a license to practice in the states where they plan to work. Professional engineers (P.E.) may not stamp design drawings without a license.

Certifications, on the other hand, are generally voluntary and not issued by a government authority.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) website describes the differences between the two in this way:

In the Current Population Survey (CPS), the difference between a certification and a license is based on who issued the credential. Specifically, 

License:

•  Credential awarded by a governmental licensing agency based on pre-determined criteria
•  The criteria may include some combination of degree attainment, certifications, educational certificates, assessments (including state-administered exams), apprenticeship programs, or work experience
•  Conveys a legal authority to work in an occupation
•  Examples: cosmetology licenses and teacher’s licenses

Certification:

•  Credential awarded by a non-governmental certification body
•  Based on an individual demonstrating, through an examination process, that they have acquired the designated knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform a specific job
•  Does not convey a legal authority to work in an occupation
•  Examples: information technology certifications and project management professional certifications

Reasons to Pursue a Certification

Because YOU want to

To me, the best reason to obtain a professional certification is because you want it. You enjoy your profession and want to supplement your knowledge with additional learning.

Achieving a certification will likely require an investment of time and finances. Only you can decide if you’re willing to commit wholeheartedly.

Because it documents a level of qualification or credibility

If you want to excel in your job, then achieving a certification that your industry respects is a great way to show that you’re dedicated and serious about your work. For example, if you are a project manager at work, you might consider becoming a Project Management Professional (PMP).

Because it adds value to you, your employer, and your clients

Certifications can enable you to perform certain tasks for your job, such as an engineering lab technician who must be certified to run specific lab tests.

Certifications may allow the employer to charge more for your services because clients usually associate certifications with expertise and a higher level of service.

Because your employer requires it

When marketing your team to prospective clients, a list of credentialed team members informs the qualification/selection committee of the depth of talent.

Reasons You Might Not Pursue a Credential

Because the pursuit competes with other goals in your life and demands on your time

It will likely take hundreds of hours to study to learn an ‘industry’ that I didn’t study in college. A widely held opinion is that the exam topics do not cover the specific niche that I work in.

It may be that I would rather spend that time in pursuit of other goals and opportunities.

Because it is preferred but not truly required

Several of my higher-ranking coworkers were grandfathered in without the certification. That tells me it is preferred but not required for the niche I work in. Also, the job description for the next level up still states it is a preferred credential.

Should I Test or Should I Say No?

Should I Stay or Should I Go Now?

I haven’t yet decided what I will do. The application window is a few months away. If I were earlier in my career, I would pursue the certification for sure, regardless of my plans to stay with this employer or not.

The specialty areas within my field of employment are diverse and very interesting. Learning the exam material would broaden my knowledge and expose me to areas outside of the specifics of my current job. The credential could be a springboard to other opportunities with other employers.

How about you? If you were told to obtain a specific industry certification or there will be no more raises, what considerations would you factor in to your decision? Do you have any professional initials behind your name? Share in the comments below!