NCCER Credential Renamed ‘Knowledge Verified’

The National Center for Construction Education & Research, AGC of America’s craft training partner, will be re-launching its “certified written” credential as “knowledge verified” to better reflect the actual status and accomplishments of each craft professional. Beginning Jan. 1, 2013, NCCER will use the term “knowledge verified” to refer to craftworkers who successfully pass the written assessment for the first time. The written test required to obtain this credential will not change, only the name. According to NCCER, the change is being undertaken because there has been some confusion about the meaning of the “certified written” credential. Some employers were under the impression it meant that a craft professional had passed a performance evaluation, when it only represents that a craft professional has passed a knowledge-based written assessment. Only a craftworker whose status is “performance verified” has demonstrated performance of a particular skill. In order to earn the “certified plus” credential, craftworkers must still pass both the written assessment and the performance verification tests. In announcing the change, NCCER stressed that benefits and recognition contractors provide to craftworkers holding the “certified written,” credential should not change, since the requirements to hold the “knowledge verified” credential will be exactly the same. For questions regarding the renaming of the “certified written” credential to “knowledge verified,” contact NCCER customer service at (888) 622-3720 or visit NCCER’s Frequently Asked Questions.