Certificate vs Certification – Do you know the difference?

Although the terms sound similar, they are not interchangeable, and the distinction is important to understand.

Certificate

Usually used within the context of “Assessment-Based Certificate Program.” These are non-degree granting, vocational training programs, that award certificates or diplomas to those who have completed and passed the required final assessments. In Pilates, certificates or diplomas are awarded after the completion of a comprehensive teacher training program.
Certification

Certification validates an individual’s competency through a third-party assessment system. Certification is independent of a specific training program, school or mentor. The assessment is based on objective baseline competencies (standards), and identifies those that have met the established competencies, despite the educational program attended to achieve competency. In Pilates, the NPCP is the only third-party certification program.
Certificate

Usually used within the context of “Assessment-Based Certificate Program.” These are non-degree granting, vocational training programs, that award certificates or diplomas to those who have completed and passed the required final assessments. In Pilates, certificates or diplomas are awarded after the completion of a comprehensive teacher training program.

Certification

Certification validates an individual’s competency through a third-party assessment system. Certification is independent of a specific training program, school or mentor. The assessment usually assures baseline competencies (standards) from a larger perspective, and identifies those that have met the established competencies, despite the educational program attended to achieve competency. In Pilates, the NPCP is the only third-party certification program.