Risk management for certification programs is an important, yet challenging business. At this year’s I.C.E. Virtual Exchange, presenters Christine Niero, PhD, vice president at the Society of Certified Senior Advisors (SCSA); Richard Bar, attorney at GKC Law, P.C.; Catherine A. Carter, executive director at the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics, and Pedorthics (ABC); and Joel Oliva, director of operations at the National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO) will be presenting on this topic during their session, “Assessing and Managing the Inherent Risks to Your Certification Program.”

I.C.E. Publications and Editorial Committee member Steven Garner, PMP, CAE, recently spoke with the presenters about their session, which will identify areas of risk and vulnerability to certification programs, and allow attendees to participate in an open discussion with mini scenarios.

Why is this topic important to the profession?

Assessing and managing risk is important to maintaining the integrity of your certification program. Certification is a unique type of business, with distinct issues related to all of its components and responsibilities, including corporate structure and governance; exam development, administration and security; associated policies and processes; ethics and disciplinary procedures; and intellectual property. Inherent in each program component are risks that a certification body needs to recognize, address and minimize. 

What do you hope attendees will take away from your session?

Using the scenarios we’ve developed, we hope attendees will participate in the discussion, identify areas of risk and vulnerability to their certification program, and discover various ways to minimize these risks and reduce liability to their programs. Scenarios will cover administrative, operational, governance and legal aspects of programs and the increased risks generated by the COVID-19 pandemic.