National Center for Construction Education & Research
Today’s construction industry craft professional must be competent in both the knowledge and hands-on skills associated with their craft. This is critically important, especially when placed in the context of craft or journey-level certification.
To ensure clarity and the long-term integrity and credibility of NCCER credentials, we are modifying our certification terminology to more accurately reflect this fundamental premise of a certified craft professional – that certified indicates a journey-level minimum competency reached through knowledge and performance. As such, NCCER's “Certified Plus” credential is being renamed “Certified.” Knowledge Verified + Performance Verified = Certified
It is important to understand that this is only a change in terminology. The written assessments and performance verifications craft professionals must pass to obtain this credential have not changed. As always, an NCCER credentialed craft professional's training will continue to be verifiable through the NCCER Registry System using his or her NCCER wallet card ID number.
To assist in communicating this change to your employees, below you will find specific messaging from NCCER for craft professionals and human resources personnel. We appreciate your assistance in helping to spread the word about this important issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Message to Craft Professionals
Message to HR Departments
NCCER continually reviews its certification procedures to ensure that its credentials reflect an individual’s knowledge and skills and align with industry standards. As a result of this review, NCCER must periodically implement changes to ensure the expectations of the industry are met, and appropriate outcomes are achieved. Effective January 13, 2020, individuals who have passed both an NCCER written assessment and the associated Performance Verification (PV) will be recognized as Certified. Previously, the Certified credential was designated as Certified Plus — the removal of the “Plus” from the name of the certification is the only change. The requirements and the value of the certification remain the same.
As always, the NCCER Registry will reflect an individual’s current credentials. Effective January 13, 2020, the Registry will be updated to reflect the above change in the name by which we refer to our certifications. After that date, all individuals who pass an NCCER written assessment and the associated PV for a craft will be referred to as Certified.
The NCCER card number provides a unique ID that is connected to any training or assessments an individual has completed in the Registry. The card itself is not proof of training credentials or certifications.
Employees are able to verify credentials in real-time through the NCCER Registry online verification tool, including viewing transcripts, successfully passed written assessments, performance verifications and certification.
Online Verification