The Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) is a professional membership association and a leading developer of standards for both certification and certificate programs. I.C.E. also provides information about trends in certification, test development and delivery, assessment-based certificate programs, and other resources relevant to the credentialing community.
Developing a Certification for Credentialing Professionals
I.C.E. set out to create a certification program for credentialing professionals more than a decade ago. Based on the findings of an initial job task analysis (JTA), I.C.E. developed the Certificate for Credentialing Specialists in 2014, which was embraced by over 850 credentialing professionals. However, further market research conducted in 2018 and 2019 revealed a growing interest within the community for a more advanced credential.
Thus, the idea for the I.C.E. Certified Credentialing Professional (ICE-CCP) examination was borne. Such a credential would validate the knowledge and skills of credentialing professionals, elevate industry standards, and support the ongoing development of individuals within the field.
In early 2020, the I.C.E. Board of Directors approved the initiative, assembling a diverse steering committee to oversee the project. Over 100 industry professionals, including staff from Meazure Learning, volunteered their exam development expertise for a pilot program. Linda Anguish, I.C.E.’s Director of Accreditation Services, notes, “We were very fortunate that a number of our sustaining members [came] forward and offered their support [for the program].”
Meazure Learning’s Role in the ICE-CCP Program
Meazure Learning stood out during the pilot program, providing “the most comprehensive support of all our contributors,” according to Anguish. So, when it came time to issue a request for proposal for long-term exam administration, “Meazure was able to respond in a very meaningful way.”
Ultimately, I.C.E. chose Meazure Learning as a key partner due not only to this prior experience but also to the staff’s flexibility, collaborative spirit, and reputation in the industry. For the long-term administration, Meazure Learning provides the following services:
- Item bank development
- Item writing and review
- Exam forms creation and assembly
- Exam administration via the Meazure Exam Platform
- Live remote proctoring through the ProctorU Platform
- Exam scoring and reporting
- In-person exam delivery through the Meazure Learning Test Center Network (as of May 2024)
For the ICE-CCP pilot program, alongside Meazure Learning, other partners provided services such as JTA, item selection, statistical analysis, candidate management, recertification, and more. Together, these partners formed a multivendor ecosystem that seamlessly integrated disparate solutions into a cohesive program.
Candidate Feedback and Impact on the Credentialing Community
The 2021 launch of the ICE-CCP has received an overwhelmingly positive response from candidates. “Offering a certification for certification professionals is daunting because they know how to do it, but we’ve been very pleased with how smoothly things have gone and how few issues have arisen,” Anguish remarks.
Particularly notable is a heightened sense of empathy and understanding among candidates about the exam process. “In addition to increasing their knowledge, the exam experience has made them better credentialing professionals because they’ve been able to put themselves in their candidates’ shoes,” says Anguish. “They’ve realized how much information comes at candidates and how easy it is to lose track of deadlines or feel nervous with unfamiliar processes, like remote proctoring.”
This insight has allowed I.C.E. to better understand the needs of its candidates and provide more valuable resources. Anguish recalls, “The first time we offered the option, one-third of the candidates chose test centers [for delivery], even though I would have thought credentialing professionals would be more comfortable with remote proctoring. It just shows how important it is to offer [diverse testing] options.”
Contributions from Meazure Learning and other industry partners have helped I.C.E. make such a positive impact on the credentialing community. Anguish believes this type of vendor collaboration has set a precedent for future initiatives within the profession. She says, “The biggest success of this story was how well the vendor community worked together to support this effort. It was something bigger than all of us.”
“Candidates tell us that the exam experience has made them more empathetic credentialing professionals.”
—Linda Anguish, Director of Accreditation Services, I.C.E.
Heightened Candidate Empathy for the Exam Process
Increased Exam Delivery Flexibility
Positive Candidate Feedback
Strengthened Community Relationships
Conclusion
Today, the ICE-CCP certification exam serves as a model for similar projects in the credentialing community. The initiative by I.C.E., along with its industry partners and sustaining members, has highlighted the importance of building alliances, being open to interoperability, and remaining responsive to candidate needs. As Anguish notes, “The success of the ICE-CCP certification exam really shows how strong partnerships can lead to impactful results.” For more information about how Meazure Learning can support your certification program, please visit our Test Program Consultation page.
“The success of the ICE-CCP certification exam really shows how strong partnerships can lead to impactful results.”
—Linda Anguish, Director of Accreditation Services, I.C.E.