Life Coach © - Accredited Education
Standards for Professional Designations and Board Certifications in the United States
A Certification Quality Standards Guide
Professional Designations in the United States and Internationally have a long history. Legal cases such as the
IBANEZ decision of the Supreme Court imply that bone fide "board certifications" or "professional designation"
criteria includes: 1) Accredited Education, 2) Assessment, 3) Degree 4) Continuing Education and 5)
Ethics/Professionalism 6) Experience.
Types of Certifications and Accreditation Standards - Level II is the Highest
1. Certification requiring Level 2 Accredited education and exams. This is the highest form of educational
requirements. Level 2 means that both the college or university is accredited AND the business school is also
separately accredited by a government recognized body. The ACBSP, AACSB or EQUIS are examples of level 2
accreditation while education from an ABA American Bar Association education would also be level 2. SEE:
ACBSP AACSB EQUIS and ABA or graduate law school
2. Charters or Certification requiring a college diploma and exams. This is a high standard but does not require
Level 2 Accreditation Degree. Thus, the degree may be from a good school offshore but it may not be accredited by a
recognized organization. Certifications in this category focus on giving only exams as a path to achieving a "non
government recognized professional designation" or becoming chartered with a credential as a financial analyst.
3. Credential requiring only exam. This standard is strong but does not require a degree historically but rather
a test only. Examples are a project management designation or a typical financial planner designation or
credential.
• Note: A degree, MBA, MSc, or credential based on a Level 2 education is more widely accepted globally than
qualifications or degrees that do not maintain "Level 2" Status. Further, course credits are more easily
transferrable with reciprocity from Level 2 business schools and institutions that are double accredited.
*Most State and Sovereign Governments worldwide prefer Level II Accreditation for the purposes of business
school standards, top MBA programs, or becoming a CPA or Chartered Accountant. Further, Government recognized Bar
Accredited Education is required for a legal education and licenses. Level 2 accreditation – the business school.
In a Level 2 accreditation, the college or university and the business school are separately accredited, but the
accounting program is not separately accredited. This level applies to a business school that is accredited by an
organization recognized by the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) as a specialized or professional
accrediting organization, such as the AACSB or the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs
(ACBSP).
Apply Now for Certification and (CUT/PASTE) Email Your Resume and
Credential Information to us. APPLICATION
*Read about Global Recognition. The Board has consulted with the US Government, United Nations, and other
governmental bodies worldwide. These accredited education and exam requirements have been public and disclosed on
governmental and authoritative guides for over a decade. As seen in the US Governments' Occupational Handbook.
Apply Now for Certification and (CUT/PASTE) Email Your Resume and Credential Information to us - APPLICATION
|