What is Certification? Guide, Types, Process & Standards

Certification: Definition, Types, Process and Standards

Recognition:Learn why PMP® certification is regarded as the gold standard in project management and how it can boost your career. Read more for benefits and acquisition tips. Recognised by employers, customers, and peers as evidence of capability.

Types of certifications

Professional certification: Awarded by professional bodies or organisations in fields such as project management , finance, IT , or healthcare. Examples include certifications from Project management KPIsANSI or Knowledge Trainstate boards19 Feb 2026.
Academic certification:Discover the most important KPIs in project management. Check out our project management KPIs guide and learn how to use them. Issued by educational institutions after completing a course of study or passing qualifying exams – for instance, university certificates and diplomas.
Technical certification: Validates competency in technical or vocational areas like IT, electrical work, or health and safety. Managed by certifying bodies, sometimes requiring assessment at a test centre.

How to get certified

Eligibility: Confirm you meet any prerequisites, such as specific What is the best project management certification in 2025?qualifications , training, or work experience. These are outlined by the certifying body or Simon Buehringgoverning body27 Feb 2026.
Application:Confused about which project management certification to pursue? Compare the most recognized certifications and find the best fit for your career. Submit your application and supporting evidence (e.g. qualifications, training records). Pay applicable fees.
Exam/Assessment: Pass a formal exam or practical assessment, usually held at a test centre or digitally. The assessment measures your knowledge or practical abilities against industry standards.
Validation and recognition: Successful candidates receive a certificate as proof of certification, which can be validated by employers and professional organisations.
Renewal: Many certifications require regular renewal, either by re-examination, showing continuing education, or completing professional development activities.

Costs involved in certification

The cost of obtaining certification varies. Typical expenses may include application fees, exam fees, training costs, and renewal charges. Some certifying bodies or professional organisations may offer discounts for members or bulk applications.

Key certifying bodies and their roles

ANSI (American National Standards Institute): Oversees development of standards and accredits certification programmes ensuring conformity to industry standards.
ISO (International Organization for Standardization): International body setting global benchmarks for certification and quality assurance across industries.
State boards/governing bodies: Regulate professions such as medicine, law, or teaching, often requiring official licences
IT) and establish up-to-date requirements for practice via continuing education and assessment.

Key facts about certification

Definition: Formal recognition of meeting specific standards through evaluation.
Examples: Project management certificate, occupational Health & Safety certification, IT professional certificate.
Process: Eligibility -> Application -> Exam/Assessment -> Validation -> Renewal.Give us a call
Duration: Validity typically ranges from 1 to 5 years, with renewal processes in place.
Top certifying organisations:+44 (0)207 148 5985 ANSI, ISO, various state boards, and leading professional organisations.

FAQsOr chat with us using the link at the bottom of the screen.

What is a certification?Contact us with questions about the courses on this page, or about which project management certification or training is best for you.

A certification is formal recognition awarded by an independent certifying body, confirming that an individual has met specific knowledge and skill standards through assessment or an exam.Finance FAQs

How do you get certified?Contact

To get certified, you must meet eligibility requirements, apply to a certifying body, pass the designated exam or assessment, and complete any required training or continuing education. Renewal may also be required.Cookies

How long does a certification last?Privacy

The validity of certification varies by profession and certifying body, but typically lasts between 1 and 5 years. Renewals may involve continuing education or re-examination.Terms

Is certification the same as a license?Customer Support

No, certification and licence are different. A licence is a legal authorisation from a governing body to practise an occupation. Certification recognises achievement of a standard but does not, by itself, grant legal authority to practise.

Are certifications worth it?[email protected]

Yes, certifications can enhance your career prospects, validate your skills, promote professional development, and increase your credibility in an industry. However, their value may depend on the field and employer requirements.Join Our Team

Certification and professional expertise Registered VAT: GB872413526.

Certification is essential for professionals and organisations seeking recognised expertise. A certificate demonstrates that an individual has completed a certificated certification course. Many certification courses are available online, making it easier to access the certification exam and complete the certification process. Enrolling in a certification program or several certification programs helps meet certification requirements and access certification services. Certification training supports learners preparing for certifications, as the certifications process ensures each certified professional is verified by a certifier or certifying authority. To certify, one must follow the certifying process, often required for professional certification. Knowledge Train

Entities in certification programs®

Products certification, CE marking, and professional certification offer a professional certificate or professional certificates for different industries. A certification body oversees professional certifications and ensures each certification program meets standards. Credentials from CompTIA, ISC2, and ISO are highly valued. Training and accreditation improve skills for data analytics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital marketing. Google and other partners provide flexible, interactive resources. Learners can access tools, media, and content, building data and machine learning expertise. Digital and traditional certification programs are available for small or large organisations, with opportunities to transform and showcase skills. is a registered trademark of Knowledge Train Limited.

Certification process and learning resources 20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AN, England, United Kingdom.

Certification programs use advanced analytics, intelligence, and feedback for improved learning. Users can check program details, access the web, and follow network policies. The certification process is designed for accessibility, offering free options and support for network devices, LAN settings, and proxy server configuration. Accredited programs provide high demand skills, allowing learners to prepare and take exams anywhere. Professional certification offers real opportunities to build your own career path and add power to your CV. Knowledge Train are experts in project management, PRINCE2, agile and change management training and certification. Choose from a full range of instructor-led and self-paced

Certification is a process by which individuals or organisations achieve certification by meeting specific standards or criteria, often through an assessment or examination, and this certification can enhance professional credibility and open doors to new opportunities.project management courses

Certification overview for professionals and employers, a

Certification is a recognised way to validate skills and competence in the workplace and online learning environments.PRINCE2 course

Certification course structure and modules, or an

Each certification course typically includes modular learning, assessment tasks, practical assignments and a final exam or portfolio review.agile project management course

Core modules and learning outcomes to boost your career.

Modules focus on knowledge areas, practical skills, competency frameworks and measurable learning outcomes to support career development.PRINCE2

Assessment methods and proctoring®

Assessment methods include timed exams, practical assessments, oral interviews, and online proctoring to ensure integrity., MSP

Training and development pathways for staff®

Training plans combine classroom sessions, online modules, mentoring and on-the-job practice to prepare candidates for certification., ITIL

Onboarding and continuous professional development®

Employers often link certification to onboarding and CPD to maintain standards and encourage lifelong learning., P3O

Accreditation and recognised qualification standards®

Accreditation ensures that a certificate program meets national or international standards and that the awarding body is accountable., PRINCE2

Role of accreditation bodies®

Accreditation bodies set syllabus benchmarks, oversee assessment centres and audit training providers to protect candidate outcomes. Agile, RESILIA

Exam preparation and study resources®

Study guides, sample papers, workshop sessions and revision modules help candidates prepare for a certification exam., and the Swirl logo are registered trademarks of the PeopleCert group. Used under licence from PeopleCert. All rights reserved. AgilePM

Practical tips for exam success®

Create a study timetable, use practice tests, join a study group and seek feedback from tutors or mentors. and AgileBA

Online certification and remote learning options®

Online certification makes accredited training accessible through video lessons, interactive modules and remote assessments. are registered trademarks of Agile Business Consortium Limited. All rights reserved. The APMG International AgilePM and Swirl Device logo, APMG International AgileBA and Swirl Device Logo, APMG International Change Management and APMG International Better Business Cases and Swirl Device logo are trademarks of The APM Group Limited, used under permission of The APM Group Limited. All rights reserved. Better Business Cases™ is a trademark of Her Majesty’s Treasury. All rights reserved. DevOps Foundation

Technical requirements and platform considerations®

Check system compatibility, bandwidth, browser requirements and the availability of technical support before enrolment. is a registered mark of the DevOps Institute. “PMI”, “PMBOK

Certificate issuance, renewal and digital credentials®

Certificates are often issued digitally, may include secure identifiers and require periodic renewal to reflect current competence. Guide”, “PMP” and “CAPM” are registered marks of Project Management Institute, Inc. Knowledge Train Scrum Essentials™, Business Learning Library (BLL)™, Business Analysis Learning Library (BALL)™, Agile Learning Library (ALL)™, IT Learning Library (ITLL)™, and Compliance Learning Library (CLL)™ are trademarks of Knowledge Train Limited. All rights reserved.

Renewal and recertification pathwaysKnowledge Train Ltd is an Introducer Appointed Representative of NewDay Cards Ltd for the Newpay finance product provided by NewDay Ltd. NewDay Cards Ltd acts as a credit broker, not a lender. We will introduce you exclusively to Newpay finance products provided by NewDay Limited under this Introducer Appointed Representative arrangement. Finance available from other lenders is not covered by this arrangement. NewDay Ltd and Newday Cards Ltd are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (ref nos 690292 and 682417 respectively).

Renewal can involve re-assessment, verified CPD hours, submission of a professional portfolio or completion of refresher modules.

Employer benefits and workforce impact

Employers gain clearer competency frameworks, improved recruitment outcomes and better alignment between training and business goals.

Measuring return on investment

Track performance metrics, retention rates, productivity improvements and progression to evaluate the impact of certification programs.

Designing an effective certification programme

Design starts with job analysis, maps competencies to modules, defines assessment criteria and involves industry subject matter experts.Search