One of the characteristics of a professional field is having a means to certify the knowledge and competence of members of the profession. Certification programs range from specialist-based certifications to those that are more general in scope. Potential benefits of certifications may include establishing education and qualification minimums; a reason to keep the current with the literature and trends in the field; enhanced professional recognition; and increased pay/salary and/or career advancement opportunities. Potential pitfalls include added cost to the professional; lack of demand from the private sector; and a variety of legal issues. We will describe the attributes of existing certification programs related to the chemistry profession, provide ideas about how certification programs might function within the ACS, and provide our insight into the efficacy of such an ACS activity.

Can professional certificates enhance your career opportunities? Case studies and lessons learned

251st National Meeting (2016)

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.