SCSA is seeking accreditation of the CSA designation

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We are at an exciting milestone in the growth and development of the CSA designation – SCSA is preparing to apply for accreditation of the CSA designation in 2008 with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Below are answers to several frequently asked questions about our accreditation process:

Q:	What is accreditation?
A:	Accreditation is third party approval of a certification program, an academic program or university, based on standard requirements that have been established by the third party for all those seeking accreditation.
Q:	Who is NCCA?
A:	NCCA, the accrediting arm of the National Organization for Competency Assurance (NOCA), is a non-profit organization that helps ensure the health, welfare and safety of the public through the accreditation of certification programs that assess professional competence.
Q:	What is the purpose of accreditation?
A:	The purpose of accreditation is to protect the public. It does this by establishing standards that a credential must meet to receive accreditation approval. NCCA has 21 standards that SCSA must meet.
Q:	What do the NCCA standards cover?
A:	NCCA standards address the professional knowledge, skills and practice that are required and unique to each credential. NCCA evaluation will include the following three areas --- The requirements, policies and procedures to: Obtain the CSA designation Maintain the CSA designation (CSA CE) How the CSA exam is developed and administered The independence of the CSA certification program from the CSA education
Q:	How does meeting the standards protect the public?
A:	Meeting the accreditation standards is the best way to assure that individuals who have earned the credential (by passing the certification exam and meeting other designation requirements) consistently demonstrate the same knowledge across the board. Therefore, the public can reasonably expect that all those who have the credential understand the essential elements involved in working with seniors.
Q:	Why is accreditation important?
A:	Whenever a credential is accredited, it brings professionalism and consistent standards to an industry and advances the profession. It also gives members of the public the ability to identify individuals with certain knowledge and skills, and greater assurance that those individuals have attained a shared foundation of knowledge.
Q:	Why is SCSA seeking accreditation of the CSA designation?
A:	Accreditation is emerging as a standard from some regulators in the securities industry. Although the CSA designation is not a financial one, SCSA believes that meeting that standard is a worthy goal that will benefit all CSAs, no matter what their field. Some regulators see accreditation as a way to help assure the validity and value of a professional credential, especially those focused on serving seniors. There are very few accredited programs overall. The CSA designation was created more than 10 years ago to meet a unique need in the marketplace – knowledge about the health, social and financial issues of aging that are important to the majority of seniors, so that professionals who serve seniors can do so in a more competent, ethical and effective manner. Applying for accreditation of the CSA designation is an important milestone in the growth and development of our designation. To our knowledge, we are the only senior-focused designation that is seeking accreditation.
Q:	When will SCSA submit its application to become accredited by NCCA?
A:	We will submit our application to NCCA by its April 30, 2008 deadline. NCCA will review all the applications it has received, and then meet face-to-face August 12-13, 2008 to decide on the status of the applications. We hope to have a reply by late September or early October. See Accreditation Timeline.
Q:	How will SCSA’s customers be affected by the accreditation process?
A:	The independent SCSA Certification Council has established new eligibility requirements to designate that are effective January 1, 2008. As a result, professionals who are seeking the CSA credential may choose to purchase either the CSA Course and Exam Package, or the CSA Exam Only, depending on their education/experience qualifications. Also, individuals who are not currently seeking the CSA designation, but would like the CSA education, may enroll in the CSA Course Only. The following candidates take the CSA exam as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) at a professional test center in their state: Self-study students who purchase the CSA Course and Exam Package All candidates who purchase the CSA Exam Only All re-tests and deferred exams All the individuals listed above may take the CSA exam at a time of their choosing. (There is no expiration date on the self-study CSA Course and Exam Package.) Candidates who purchase the CSA Classroom Review of the CSA Course and Exam Package test at class. For a complete description of the CSA certification program, including eligibility and recertification requirements, see the CSA Candidate Handbook. Professional CE: L&H CE is available in some states, as well as other types of professional CE. We highly encourage individuals who are seeking the CSA designation to consider taking the CSA Course and Exam Package because to our knowledge, no other educational or training program for professionals who work with seniors covers the health, social and financial aspects of aging in the same comprehensive manner in order to prepare students to successfully complete the CSA designation exam.
Q:	Will re-tests and deferred exams be available?
A:	Yes. Re-tests and deferred exams are available at a professional test center. You have two re-test opportunities. You must wait at least 6 weeks between exam dates to test again. There is an additional fee of $85 for each re-test. There is no additional fee for deferred tests.
Q:	Where are the professional test centers located in my state?
A:	Nearly all the professional test centers in each state are located within or immediately outside a major metropolitan area. To view a list of cities with professional test centers, click (IsoQuality Testing). Test centers are added on a regular basis. Candidates who purchase the independent self-study CSA Course and Exam (or the CSA Exam Only) take the CSA exam at a professional test center. SCSA will e-mail instructions to these candidates, including a user ID and password, for scheduling their CBT exam online. Candidates who elect the 3-day CSA classroom review of the CSA course take a paper exam on-site at class. The CSA exam has 150 multiple choice questions, and is closed book and proctored. Candidates have up to three hours to complete it. The passing score is 70% or more correct answers.
Q:	When will I be able to test at one of the professional test centers?
A:	You may test during regular business hours at the test center. Times may vary by facility.
Q:	Are there new requirements for existing SCSA members?
A:	No. If the CSA designation is accredited, there will be no effect on existing CSAs. Existing members can continue to use the designation without having to retest or meet any new eligibility requirements. Compliance with CSA CE and other renewal requirements will continue to be required for all CSAs.

ABOUT SCSA. Society of Certified Senior Advisors^® (SCSA) is the world’s largest membership organization educating and certifying professionals who serve seniors. Its headquarters is in Denver, Colorado.