In the certification creation process, the Scheduling page enables administrators to configure the schedule for the certification. Specifically, administrators can configure how frequently users will be required to complete the certification and due dates for certification periods. If users are required to renew their certification, then administrators can configure how the renewal periods function, such as how many credits are required and whether users can carry over extra credits from a previous period. The administrators can also configure if the users can bypass the need for a completion approval for an expired certification.
Note: After the certification is created and assigned to a user, the certification cannot be modified aside from updating the title of a certification period. Please verify all aspects of the certification prior to saving.
To create a certification, go to . Then, click the Create a New Certification link or copy an existing certification by clicking the Copy icon in the Options column.
PermissionsCertification Types
When creating the certification schedule, you must first decide if the certification should have a renewal period. Also, if a renewal period is required, you must decide the type of renewal schedule to use.
The system offers the following types of certifications, and each utilize a different strategy for certifying users.
- One Time Only - This type of certification only certifies a user one time, and it does not have a renewal period. See Certification - Create - Scheduling - One Time Only.
- Pros: One Time Only is a simple, easy way to create a certification that only needs to be administered one time for any given person. After a user completes the certification, they remain certified forever.
- Cons: The One Time Only scheduling option is very limited and does not allow any flexibility or automation options for scheduling the certification again or on an ongoing basis.
- Fixed Date - This type of certification requires users to renew their certification on the same date each year, regardless of the user's enrollment or previously certified date. For example, users may be required to renew their certification on January 1st each year. In the United States this is similar to filing taxes, which must be filed by April 15th each year, regardless of when you began working or when you filed your taxes the previous year. See Certification - Create - Scheduling - Fixed Date.
- Pros: All employees will be re-certified on the same cycle, regardless of when they were hired or received their initial certification.
- Cons: Some employees may need to complete their renewal certification a very short time after completing the initial certification. This scenario may be less than ideal if the renewal requirements are time consuming.
- Relative - This type of certification requires users to renew their certification on a specific schedule that is relative to the initial certification completion date. For example, users may be required to renew their certification every two years after the user first becomes certified. See Certification - Create - Scheduling - Relative.
- Pros: Each employee is required to renew their certification on a regular schedule that accommodates their specific certification needs. This type of certification is based around a regular schedule that is standardized for all users, though the certification date is not necessarily the same for all users.
- Cons: Employees at an organization will all become certified and require renewal certification at different times throughout the year. This scenario may become complex to manage.
- Relative with Rolling period - This type of certification requires users to renew their certification on a specific schedule that is relative to the most recent certification date. Each certification renewal period begins immediately upon the previous certification. For example, if the renewal is required 90 days from the previous certification, then each time a user renews their certification, they are immediately pushed into their next renewal period and the new due date is based around the completion date of the previous period. See Certification - Create - Scheduling - Relative with Rolling Period.
- Pros: Allows employees to enjoy the full duration of their certification before being required to renew. Users are given the ability to start working on their next certification period immediately after completing the previous period.
- Cons: Certification renewal cycles will not be consistent, because future renewal assignments will become due relative to the date the employee decided to complete the previous renewal or initial certification.