Accreditation
The Association employs intricate processes for establishing certification program policy, enforcing ethics, developing tests, and operating continuing education programs. These processes align with industry standards (such as those set for by the American National Standards Institutes and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies) and are driven by Subject Matter Experts.
In this way, those who hold certifications from the American Psychotherapy Association can be confident that their credentials are credible and relevant to their specialty.
About ICE
The Institute for Credentialing Excellence is an organization dedicated to providing educational, networking, and advocacy resources for the credentialing community. ICE's accrediting body, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), evaluates certification organizations for compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA's Standards exceed the requirements set forth by the American Psychological Association and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. ICE is accredited by the American National Standards Institute as a Standards Developer.
Potential Benefits to the Field:
- Standardizes practices and/or standards within an industry
- Advances the specialty/field
- Increases cooperation between organizations in the same discipline
- Provides a means for an industry to self-regulate
Potential Benefits to Those with Current Certification:
- Grants recognition of knowledge and skills by a third party
- Enhances professional reputation
- Provides personal accomplishment
- Supports continued professional development
- Demonstrates a high level of commitment to the field of practice
- Demonstrates a specific level of knowledge and skill
- May increase opportunities for career advancement and/or increased earnings
- Can validate skills and knowledge
- Serves as a differentiator in a competitive job market
Potential Benefits to Employers:
- Improves customer satisfaction
- Increases competence level of employees
- Useful in making employment decisions
- Provides professional development opportunities for employees
- Ongoing enhancement of knowledge and skills
- Increases confidence in employees' abilities
- Demonstrates employers' commitment to competence
- Could provide means to establish and enforce an ethical code
- Can provide compliance with industry regulation/ government requirements
- Increases safety
Potential Benefits to the Public:
- Standardizes practice and/or standards within an industry
- Advances the specialty/field and increases cooperation between organizations in the same discipline
- Provides a means for an industry to self-regulate
- Helps in identifying qualified service providers
- Increases confidence in service providers
- Provides disciplinary process to follow in case of complaints
