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Techniques and Technologies for Enhancing Credentialing Programs

As the credentialing environment changes and professional practice is impacted by new technologies, many licensure and certification organizations are moving to update and enhance their credentialing programs. This issue of PES NEWS highlights innovative techniques and technologies that credentialing organizations can use to enhance their efforts.

Before moving to computer-based testing, credentialing organizations may benefit from a feasibility study designed to assess the resource implications and stakeholder impact of a possible move to computer-based testing (CBT). The first article in this issue describes the experiences of one credentialing organization that collaborated with PES to conduct a feasibility study related to a move to CBT.

Many credentialing organizations are taking advantage of new technologies to enhance the services they provide to credentialing stakeholders. The second article highlights an online application processing system that PES developed for the Pharmacy Technician Certification Board to enhance the online services the organization provides to its stakeholders.

Similarly, in a more competitive environment some licensure and certification organizations are taking steps to augment the psychometric quality and defensibility of their credentialing programs. A third article describes an innovative approach to standard-setting that PES undertook in collaboration with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy.

New developments and technologies in psychometric theory also enable credentialing organizations to provide enhanced services to stakeholders. A fourth article discusses how the use of item response theory can be used to build pre-equated test forms and so reduce the turnaround time for score reports following the initial administration of a new examination form.

PES has always emphasized the role of the mission in giving value and meaning to the work of a credentialing organization. In the last article, I discuss the role of a clearly articulated mission in building a successful credentialing program.

We hope that this newsletter will serve as a valuable resource for credentialing organizations that are working to update and enhance their credentialing programs. Obviously, the techniques and technologies presented here represent only a sampling of those available to credentialing organizations. As always, we encourage you to contact us with questions or to discuss other approaches tailored to the specific needs of your credentialing organization.

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