Terminology

Question 1

A modification in the design or administration of an examination to compensate for the effects of candidates’ documented disability without altering the interpretation of the examination results (e.g., as specified by the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable legislation).

Answer 1

Accommodation

Question 2

The responsibility of a board, governing committee, or other element of a credentialing body, to its stakeholders to demonstrate the efficacy and fairness of credentialing policies, procedures, and requirements.

Answer 2

Accountability

Question 3

The process by which an agency having authority grants time-limited formal recognition to an institution, organization, business, credentialing body or other independent entity after verifying that the aforementioned has met predetermined and standardized criteria.

Answer 3

Accreditation

Question 4

An entity that evaluates whether the processes and products of a credentialing body have met predetermined and standardized criteria.

Answer 4

Accreditation Body

Question 5

The process by which examinations or other credentialing requirements are converted to another language and/or cultural context, preserving equivalence of meaning, level of difficulty, and conceptual complexity from the original version to the adapted version.

Answer 5

Adaptation

Question 6

An instance in which a protected class of candidates exhibits a demonstrably higher failure rate than that of the reference nonprotected population

Answer 6

Adverse Impact

Question 7

The method of setting the passing score of an examination using the ratings of subject-matter experts as to the likely number of just-competent individuals who will answer examination items correctly. See also “Cut Score” and “Standard Setting.”

Answer 7

Angoff Method

Question 8

A request by applicants, candidates, or credentialed individuals or entities for reconsideration of an adverse decision made by the credentialing body regarding their desired status. An appeal can also be made related to accreditation decisions.

Answer 8

Appeal

Question 9

An individual or entity that declares interest in earning a credential offered by a credentialing body, usually through submission of materials.

Answer 9

Applicant

Question 10

The process that evaluates an individual’s or credentialing body’s fulfillment of set requirements.

Answer 10

Assessment

Question 11

A non-degree-granting program that a) provides instruction and training to aid participants in acquiring specific knowledge, skills, and/or competencies associated with intended learning outcomes; b) evaluates participants’ achievement of the intended learning outcomes; and c) awards a certificate only to those participants who meet the performance, proficiency, or passing standard on an assessment verifying learning. See also “Certificate Program.”

Answer 11

Assessment-Based Certificate Program

Question 12

A tool or process for determining whether candidates possess the necessary knowledge, skill, or demonstrated abilities to fulfill the requirements of a credential.

Answer 12

Assessment Instrument

Question 13

An individual’s confirmation, based on a decision following a review, that fulfillment of specified requirements has been demonstrated.

Answer 13

Attestation

Question 14

A systematic, independent, and documented review of records and activities to assess the adequacy of system controls, to ensure compliance with established policies and operational procedures, and to recommend necessary changes in controls, policies, or procedures.

Answer 14

Audit

Question 15

The addition of digitally created visualizations to a real-world view, generally with support of a handheld device containing a camera.

Answer 15

Augmented Reality

Question 16

The use of technology to generate large numbers of examination items by combining variable elements within a template or model designed by subject-matter experts.

Answer 16

Automatic Item Generation

Question 17

Control over all essential credentialing decisions without being subject to approval by or undue influence from any other body or individual(s).

Answer 17

Autonomy

Question 18

An inclination or preference that influences the treatment of candidates or a class of candidates in a manner that varies from the treatment of a reference population. See also “Fairness,” “Rater Bias,” and “Test Bias.”

Answer 18

Bias

Question 19

An applicant who has fulfilled specified prerequisites establishing eligibility to participate in the credentialing process.

Answer 19

Candidate

Question 20

An individual who has successfully completed the requirements of a certification program, who has earned the right to use the certification mark and continues to be authorized to use this mark by meeting ongoing recertification or maintenance of certification requirements.

Answer 20

Certificant