Frequently Asked Questions About Certification

Steve has spoken about the certification program to multiple audiences. These are taken from actual questions.

 

What is this certification, anyway?

In May 2011, STC began a comprehensive professional certification program to ensure that technical communicators are ready to meet the demands of projects today—and tomorrow. STC certification provides assurance to employers and the public that the certified practitioner possesses the knowledge, skills and ability to be a competent technical communicator. Certification demonstrates the recipient’s experience in and commitment to the profession.

Certification is available world-wide to technical communicators who work in English and wish to demonstrate that they have the ability to meet the North American standards for practice.

So, are you open for business yet?

Yes! You can apply today. Special charter membership rates are in effect until 31 December 2011.

What are the eligibility requirements for the CPTC program?

Certification is available to all practitioners who meet the eligibility requirements. STC membership is not required for eligibility.

To be eligible for certification, you must have a combination of either directly related or relevant education and full-time equivalent (FTE) experience in the field. The more you have of one, the less you need of the other:

• A degree in a field directly related to technical communication (such as Technical Communication, Information Design, Science Journalism, Professional Communication, or Usability) plus at least three years of FTE experience as a technical communicator, OR
• A degree in a field relevant to technical communication (such as English, Adult Education, Journalism, Public Relations, or Computer Science with a Usability emphasis) plus at least four years of FTE experience as a technical communicator, OR
• A high school diploma (or the global equivalent) plus at least five years of FTE experience as a technical communicator

More information is available on our flyer. If you have questions about your particular situation, contact the Certification Commission, or contact me directly.

If I get certified, do I get to put letters, like PMP or CPA, after my name and on my résumé?

Yes! The certification mark is CPTC, which stands for Certified Professional in Technical Communication.

Is this certification the "gold standard" of technical communication?

No. Certification is set to the minimum level expected of a competent practitioner. We are assessing competency, not mastery.

STC, STC certification... It all sounds too cozy to me. Will the first certifications be handed out to the“old gang?”

The Certification Commission is an independent organization following a process that STC cannot influence. Carefully established and vetted criteria are used for assessments. Applicant identities and their employers will not be known to evaluators. Applicants will be assessed based on their packets, not their STC membership, job title, or employment status. Certifications will not be "handed out," they will be earned.

Do I have to be a member of STC to get certified? Will I have to get certified to remain a member of STC?

No and no. The two are separate. Certification is available to all practitioners who meet the eligibility requirements. STC membership is not required and does not bear on eligibility. (However, starting in 2012 there will be a price difference for members and non-members.)

I have many years of experience. Am I automatically grandfathered in?

No. We have established uniform requirements and criteria that apply to all applicants. If you are certified by the STC Certification Commission, there can be no question of exceptions or favoritism.

Do I need a degree in technical communication to apply for certification? What if I already have one?

No, you don't need a specialized degree. With five years or more of experience, you only need a high-school diploma. However, relevant education reduces the length of required experience; with a technical communication degree, you only need three years of experience. More information is available on our flyer.

I have a technical writing certificate from a community college. How is a certificate different from a certification?

The terms "certification" and "certificate" are used inconsistently and sometimes interchangeably, so they are easily confused. A certification is a credential, earned as the result of an assessment, that demonstrates the holder's specialized knowledge, skills, and experience. A certificate is a limited, or single, educational offering.

A number of educational institutions offer certificate programs in technical communication. A typical requirement is three courses totaling 12 credit hours; the certificate is awarded upon successful completion of the courses. In contrast, the STC certification is granted to qualified practitioners after an assessment of their knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) in technical communication.

What are you assessing?

The assessment encompasses five broad areas of practice:

1. User, task, and experience analysis
2. Information design
3. Process management
4. Information development
5. Information production

Do I have to take a test?

There is no test. Instead, applicants submit a packet of work samples, process artifacts such as documentation plans, and commentaries on how and why decisions were made. This kind of assessment is also called “direct assessment.” While passing a test indicates that you know how to do something, work samples demonstrate that you have actually done it.

My employer is concerned about my submitting samples of proprietary materials. How do I know it won't wind up in the hands of our competitors?

We are asking for work samples, not complete documents. Assessors must sign blanket non-disclosure agreements, drawn up by our legal counsel, to protect applicant submissions. Packets will be disposed of according to a records retention and destruction policy.

What does certification cost?

For charter applicants (through the end of 2011), there is an application fee of $99, an assessment fee of $495, and a yearly maintenance fee of $49. Starting in 2012, prices will increase. (STC member prices will increase less than non-member prices.) If cost is a concern, consider applying now, or consider joining STC. More information is available on our flyer.

If I don't get certified, will I get my money back?

Sorry, no. The application and assessment fees are nonrefundable.

I have a job. Why should I spend money to get certified?

Great! Employers often, though not always, pay for employee professional certifications as a professional development activity. Some employers have already agreed to pay the fees for STC certification applicants.

If your employer declines to pay, though, remember: certification belongs to you, not your employer. Do you expect to keep your present job until you retire? According to recent statistics, the average American can expect to change jobs six times before retirement. Certification can help you get that next job. And if you have a job now, you can afford to get certified now.

I don't have a job. Why should I spend money to get certified?

Sorry to hear it. It seems like there are scores of qualified applicants for every job opening. How can you make your résumé stand out? I can't tell you how to spend your money, but right now there is an opportunity to distinguish yourself in a unique and meaningful way—as a Certified Professional Technical Communicator.

Once I get certified, is it good for life?

No. Certification is valid for three years. To maintain it, continue your professional development by attending classes and participating in professional activities (STC or otherwise). There is a yearly maintenance fee, but no fee for recertification.

What? After all the time and money I've invested in becoming certified, why should I have to do (and pay!) more to keep my certification?

One way that a certification differs from, and is more valuable than, a certificate is that a certification must be maintained through ongoing demonstration of competency. This is required for all certifications by US accrediting boards, and the requirement is beneficial to maintaining the respect and value of the credential, because it assures employers and the public that you are keeping abreast of changes in the field.

OK, I'm convinced. Where do I apply?

You'll find more information, the application form, and the candidate instructions on the STC web site. Good luck!