Credentialing & Privileging | 12.10.24
Certification vs. Certificate: What’s the Difference?
By Linda Anguish
Whether you are new to the medical services industry or have been involved for many years, you may still have questions about the difference between a certification and a certificate. Linda Anguish, director of accreditation services at the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.), discusses the difference between these two opportunities and shares a detailed look at NAMSS’ certifications, including the NCCA accredited Certified Provider Credentialing Specialist (CPCS®) and Certified Professional Medical Services Management (CPMSM®), as well as the Certified Provider Enrollment Specialist (CPES), which will officially launch in 2025. Learn more about the career advancement and increased credibility that comes with achieving a certification.
NAMSS: Within the medical services profession, organizations offer certificate programs, whereas NAMSS offers both certificate and certification programs. Can you explain the difference between a certification program and a certificate program?
Linda Anguish (LA): A certificate program focuses on providing specific skills or knowledge in a particular area, often through training directly tied to the program’s content. Participants are awarded a certificate for demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes, but this type of program is narrower in scope and is linked to the educational content.
In contrast, a certification program — such as the NAMSS CPCS, CPMSM, and CPES certifications — validates a professional’s competencies through an independent, third-party assessment. Certification is broader, establishing that an individual meets industry standards in knowledge, skills, or abilities.
For more details on the difference between certification and certificate programs, check out the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.)'s video.
NAMSS: Why is earning a certification important?
LA: Earning a certification is an important achievement because it validates an individual’s competence and expertise in their field, offering significant advantages for the professional, employers, and consumers. The certification process involves determination of eligibility, an assessment of demonstration of competence, and requirements for regular recertification.
Certified professionals benefit from increased recognition and respect within their field or industry, enhanced employability, and greater career advancement opportunities. Certification also provides professionals with confidence in their skills and fosters greater autonomy and responsibility in the workplace.
For additional resources on the importance of certification, I.C.E.’s Value of Certification statement offers insights into its impact on professionals, employers, and the public. Read more here.
NAMSS: What opportunities or advancements does achieving a certification allow?
LA: Certification opens numerous opportunities for career advancement and personal growth. Certified professionals are often recognized for their commitment to quality and industry standards, which can lead to better job prospects, higher compensation, and greater workplace autonomy. According to I.C.E., certification may also increase professional trust and respect, providing certified individuals with improved career stability and longevity.
Unlike a certificate program, which recognizes an individual’s ability at a point in time, maintaining certification requires an individual to engage in ongoing professional development activities in order to keep their knowledge or skills current. This requirement to recertify provides added value and reduces risk for employers and the general public.
NAMSS: There are many certificates and certifications available in the healthcare space. Why are NAMSS certifications valuable and necessary to advancing Tomorrow’s MSP®?
LA: NAMSS current certifications, CPCS and CPMSM, are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), which ensures their credibility and value across the medical services profession. Accreditation by an independent third party verifies that each program is held accountable to appropriately rigorous standards set by the credentialing profession. The process of adopting and adhering to standards helps a credentialing program attain, improve, and maintain quality and consistency. Achieving accreditation also demonstrates that a program is willing to be evaluated and has sufficient quality to be accredited by a third party.
NAMSS certifications, including the CPCS, CPMSM, and CPES, are uniquely valuable in the healthcare field because they validate critical competencies specific to the medical services profession as determined by practitioners in the field, such as credentialing, privileging, and regulatory compliance.
NAMSS certifications are essential to advancing Tomorrow’s MSP by ensuring that MSPs are prepared to meet the complex demands of today’s healthcare environment.
Ready to become certified or want to learn more? Visit NAMSS’ CPCS, CPMSM, and CPES certification webpages to get started.