A certificate against a certification
A certificate records completion of education, while certification assesses professional knowledge or competence. They differ in eligibility, granting body, assessment and maintenance, and a certificate need not be a prerequisite for certification.
Education and assessment
Certification involves assessment, usually requires relevant work experience and is granted by an independent, standard-setting body after an examination demonstrating knowledge or competence. A certificate typically follows an educational process, may be open regardless of experience and is granted by an association or institution to indicate completion of coursework.
A certificate can be listed on a CV, whereas certification typically provides a designation or credential to use after the holder's name. Certification typically requires professional experience, while certificates suit both entry-level and experienced professionals. Certifications such as the MWC credential have ongoing requirements that holders must continue to meet; a certificate is an end result demonstrating knowledge of course content at the end of a set period.
Separate educational and certification routes
In 2012, the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) stated that completing its educational certificate programme would not be a prerequisite for certification; the two were separate endeavours. Its workshop and self-study certificate programme would continue alongside certification, and individuals could pursue certification, earn educational certificates or participate in other educational activities.
Workshops and examination preparation
AMWA's Certification Commission explained in 2013 that three-hour workshops were not equivalent to longer, credit-bearing coursework and that its certificate programme had never been intended or represented to qualify for college credit. Workshops introduced concepts and refreshed fundamental skills but did not establish competence in a topic; the certification examination was intended to address that gap. The examination would not be linked directly to AMWA's workshop programme, although workshops and self-study modules could help candidates prepare.