Start a Certification Program
CERTIFICATIONS
Certification and Licensure Testing Solutions Built for Your Program
The Caviart Group has years of experience in assessing market needs and in designing, developing and launching successful credentialing programs. Whether you are just beginning on the path to developing your program or you have already begun to work towards launch, we can prepare your program for a successful launch and future growth.
What exactly goes into launching a new certification program?
Here are the steps we take to ensure nothing is missed.
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Program Discovery
No two credentialing programs are alike. We take the time to know your team, your needs and the profession you serve so our partnership starts out strong.
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Market Feasibility Studies
We help you determine the market size and demand for a new credential through qualitative and quantitative market studies and financial feasibility modeling.
Why is a feasibility study important? Because you can’t manufacture a need. You must identify an existing need which is sometimes different from what the group hypothesizes. Importantly, the financial feasibility of a certification program is also learned during this stage.
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Certification Program Design
We help you determine how every step in the credentialing process, from application to assessment and re-certification, should be structured to best serve the market and to work effectively and efficiently within your organization.
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Certification Program Development
We create each component of the program including policies and procedures, administrative processes and systems, test design and development, test delivery and scoring systems and marketing programs.
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Examination Development
We take the steps necessary to ensure the quality and legal defensibility of the examination. This includes completing a job task analysis, developing the test specifications, designing the test, and creating the examination itself, scoring and test appeals systems.
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Certification Program Implementation
We help you launch the program and we provide ongoing program management, monitoring and assessment as needed. We also offer continued program marketing to ensure your program receives the attention needed to grow.
FAQ
Do you have more questions about starting a new certification program? Here are answers to some of the most common questions.
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Plan for a minimum of 12–18 months from kickoff to launch, and often longer for licensure programs. Several foundational steps — including a job task analysis, exam development, and pilot testing — must be completed before a single candidate can sit for the exam. Starting with an experienced partner can prevent costly delays and restarts. We've helped launch dozens of programs and know the necessary steps to ensure success. Learn more here.
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Exam development typically ranges from $50,000 to $150,000 or more, depending on a number of variables including the test design, number of forms, and the delivery format (paper-based vs. computer-based). Ongoing program administration, marketing, and technology costs are separate and should be factored into your financial feasibility planning. We're happy to provide a detailed estimate based on your program's specific needs and budget.
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A job task analysis (JTA), also known as a practice analysis, is a structured research study that identifies the tasks professionals actually perform on the job, and the knowledge, skills and abilities required to perform them. The JTA is the foundation of a legally defensible exam and must be done correctly and be well-documented. The findings of the JTA are used to determine the content of the exam. You can learn more about JTA's here (link to website).
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The core difference is legal authority. Licensure is mandated by government — individuals cannot legally practice the profession without it — and licensure programs are developed in conjunction with government licensing boards to meet rigorous regulatory standards. Certification is voluntary and market driven. It signals demonstrated competence but isn't a legal requirement to work in the field. For associations, this distinction has real implications for program design, governance and liability. At The Caviart Group, we build both certification and licensure programs from the ground up. Learn more about licensure program development. (link)
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Yes — and this is especially important for associations. A certification program is a long-term business investment that typically doesn't break even for three or more years. A feasibility study will assess market demand, competitive landscape, candidate pipeline, and financial viability before you commit significant resources. It's the step that separates programs that thrive from programs that stall. [Learn more about what a feasibility study includes.]
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Board buy-in is one of the most common make-or-break factors for association credentialing programs. We help you build the case internally — using market data, financial projections, and peer benchmarking — so leadership understands both the opportunity and the realistic timeline to sustainability. Starting the conversation with solid feasibility data makes all the difference.
NEXT STEPS
Ready to explore what a credentialing program could mean for your association?
Whether you're still building the case internally or ready to start scoping a program, the earlier you engage an experienced partner, the better positioned you'll be for success.
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Start with our resource guide.
If you're in research mode, our Guide to Launching Successful Credentialing Programs walks you through every phase of the process in detail, including what to expect, what it costs, and what separates programs that succeed from those that stall.
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Or let's have a conversation.
If you're ready to talk through your specific situation, we offer a no-obligation discovery call to help you understand your options and what a realistic path forward looks like for your association.