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The emerit Professional Certification process includes:

1) Occupational Knowledge:

This stage involves studying from either a Workbook or the National Occupational Standards for the chosen Professional Certification occupation. A proctored exam will be arranged for the candidate at the end of his or her study phase and successful completion of the exam will qualify the candidate for the emerit Occupational Knowledge certificate!

This recognition will confirm that the candidate has mastered the knowledge of the emerit standards for the chosen Professional Certification occupation.

2) Occupational Experience:

After passing the Occupational Knowledge stage, OTEC will verify the candidates’ employment history to ensure that the work experience requirement for the chosen Professional Certification occupation has been met. This usually requires the candidate to provide a copy of their résumé along with a letter from their current or previous employer as supporting documents to the verification process.

Once it is determined that the candidate has met the work experience requirement, the candidate will qualify to proceed with their Professional Certification and enter the third and final stage.

3) Performance Evaluation:

Successful verification of a candidates’ employment history is followed by a performance evaluation that takes place in a real-world setting. Depending on the chosen Professional Certification occupation, a performance evaluation can consist of written case studies, “mystery guest” observations or on-the-job assessments, and telephone and/or face-to-face interviews conducted by an OTEC volunteer evaluator. If there is more than one performance evaluation component required, the candidate has to pass one component before pursuing another. Successful completion of the performance evaluation stage will demonstrate a candidates’ mastery of the practical component of the chosen Professional Certification occupation.

The candidate is now Professionally Certified in their chosen occupation! They receive a congratulatory letter from OTEC, an emerit Professional Certification plaque for their chosen occupation and a Lapel Pin bearing a nationally recognized tourism sector professional designation.