Independent Credentials and Provider Certificates: What Is the Difference?

Two Different Records

A certificate of completion is generally issued by a training provider to document completion of that provider's requirements.

An independent credential, certification, license, registry status, or testing result is controlled by the organization or government authority that owns that credential. Its eligibility rules, examinations, fees, renewal requirements, and issuance standards are not controlled by Elevate.

Why the Distinction Matters

Applicants should know who controls the credential associated with a program before enrolling. A training provider can prepare a learner for an outside examination or licensing process without having authority to guarantee that the outside organization will issue the credential.

Questions to Ask Before Enrolling

Who is the credentialing, testing, registry, or licensing authority?

Is an outside examination or application required?

Are there age, education, background, clinical, work-hour, or other prerequisites?

Are exam and application fees included in the published program price or separately funded?

Does the training provider issue only a completion record, or does a third party issue the final credential?

Elevate publishes program-specific credential disclosures and separates provider completion records from third-party credential authority. Certification, licensing, registry placement, and examination outcomes are not guaranteed.

Review programs or see consumer disclosures.