I.C.E. Resources

The ICE Basic Guide to Credentialing Terminology

This document clarifies terms that are used in relation to programs that grant formal recognition to individuals or entities during the credentialing process. Credentialing is an umbrella term that includes the concepts of accreditation, licensure, registration, professional certification, and education (e.g., certificate programs).

Additional Resources

Professional of Certification Coalition (PCC)

This page offers a variety of resources including, white papers on a variety of legislative initiatives including Occupational Licensing Reform, Criminal Conviction History, Universal Licensure, Conduct Codes & Eligibility Requirements; amicus brief in Kenney v. ABIM; and White paper on Private Certification.

Transforming the Nation’s Degree-Centric Postsecondary System to an Incremental Credential System (article)

The U.S. postsecondary credentialing system is at a critical crossroad. Four key drivers are stimulating unheralded innovations to redesign our system: a dated degree-centric system, credential expansion, equity, and rapidly changing 21st-century workforce needs. Credential As You Go is calling for a nationally recognized incremental credentialing system to capture and validate uncounted learning that enables individuals to be recognized for what they know and can do.

Legal Cases

Roberts v. U.S. Jaycees, 468 U.S. 609 (1984)

During a U.S. Supreme Court case, in an action for a declaratory judgment, the U.S. Jaycees argued that they could prevent women from becoming members based on their right of free association under the First Amendment. As a result, they contended that the Minnesota Human Rights Act was unconstitutional as applied to them. The state responded by arguing that it had a compelling interest in ending gender discrimination, and the trial court agreed in withholding declaratory relief and finding that the statute was constitutional.