Certification scheme operation CSOP
Designing, developing and operating certification schemes, accreditations and credentials, including digital credentials or badges.
Revision notes
Updates for SFIA 9
- Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions).
- Content changes have been made to level 2.
- You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
- Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping are not impacted by this change.
Guidance notes
The overall purpose of certification for individuals is to recognise their competence to perform a specific task or job, or to determine whether they have met certain knowledge criteria.
Knowledge and competence are distinct and the two terms should not be confused. A certification body is responsible for ensuring that only individuals who demonstrate competence are awarded certification.
Certification of individuals provides value by building public confidence and trust. This confidence relies on a valid assessment of competence by a third party, which is reconfirmed at defined intervals. The certification body must act responsibly to provide confidence to interested parties in its competence, impartiality and integrity.
Activities may include, but are not limited to:
- verifying, upon request, whether an individual holds a valid certificate and the scope of that certification, except where legal restrictions apply
- documenting security policies and procedures, including non-disclosure agreements or other measures to prevent the release of confidential examination materials or involvement in fraudulent practices
- implementing procedures for certified individuals to inform the certification body of any changes that could affect their ability to continue meeting certification requirements.
Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill
Where lower levels are not defined...
- Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
- Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.
Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill
The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.
Where lower levels are not defined...
You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:
- Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
- Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
- Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
- You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.
Click to learn why SFIA skills are not defined at all 7 levels.
Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.
Levels of responsibility for this skill
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
Level 1
Certification scheme operation: Level 2
Processes applications for certification.
Logs complaints.
Assists with the preparation and organisation of credential materials.
Supports the creation and maintenance of credentials or certificates and helps resolve routine problems during the certification lifecycle.
Certification scheme operation: Level 3
Issues certifications or credentials and maintains and retains certification records.
Maintains information on the certification scheme and a general description of the certification process.
Designs, creates, develops, customises and maintains credentials or certificates.
Responds to public information requests. Analyses and acts on complaints or issues.
Certification scheme operation: Level 4
Documents instructions for all personnel involved in certification, including legally enforceable agreements with any third parties involved in the process.
Identifies threats to impartiality by analysing, mitigating or eliminating potential conflict of interests arising from certification activities.
Implements the procedures for certification of individuals for the delivery of training.
Determines the merits of complaints and any remedial actions required.
Certification scheme operation: Level 5
Defines a certification or accreditation scheme, including organisation structure, duties, responsibilities and authorities.
Determines necessary competence to perform certification functions. Designs and implements the examiner or assessor selection and approval process.
Monitors performance and judgements, and agrees corrective actions. Plans and provides adequate premises, equipment and resources.
Documents policies and procedures for maintenance and release of information, including consideration of any legal agreements for confidentiality.
Certification scheme operation: Level 6
Sets policies and standards for the operation of a certification scheme, including segregation of duties and addressing impartiality.
Develops and maintains a description of the code of ethics and professional practices required.
Aligns certification schemes with relevant external standards, frameworks such as SFIA and established industry practices.
Obtains approval from accreditation scheme owners or governance bodies.