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Resources

Certification programs must include set eligibility requirements. This criterion should take into consideration multiple needs and circumstances of the program’s community to ensure the appropriate level of expertise for earning the credential is identified and barriers are removed for applicants. The below resources provide tools to guide your eligibility requirements and the impacts this criterion can have on your program.

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Best Practices

RSRCH14 Eligibility Requirements Report

This report provides a glimpse of industry perspectives and best practices, alongside a review of the policies in place for determining credential eligibility and the methods for setting and changing these requirements. Organizations can refer to the report when setting and evaluating the eligibility criteria for their own credentials.

Occupational Licensing: A Framework for Policymakers (page 46)

This document is a report on the state of occupational licensing in the United States. It highlights the prevalence of occupational licensing, which affects nearly one in four workers, and the potential negative effects, such as reduced employment opportunities and increased costs for consumers. The report recommends that states adopt several policy reforms to address these issues, including improving transparency and accountability in the licensing process, reducing the burden of licensing requirements, and increasing access to alternative forms of certification. The report also emphasizes the need for continued research and evaluation of the impact of licensing on the economy and society.

Legal Case

Case Details: Lieberman v. Am. Osteopathic Ass'n

The Lieberman v. American Osteopathic Association (AOA) case involves a physician who was denied board certification by the AOA due to his refusal to participate in a continuing medical education (CME) program. The physician sued the AOA for antitrust violations, arguing that the CME program was a means of maintaining the AOA's monopoly on board certification. However, the court ruled in favor of the AOA, finding that the CME program was a legitimate means of ensuring the competency of its board-certified physicians and that the AOA's monopoly on board certification was not unlawful. The case serves as an important reminder of the legal limits of antitrust claims against professional organizations.