Dear Colleagues, Partners, and Friends,
Greetings and happy fall from the NOCTI/NBS team! We are excited about the recent attention given to our work in the technical certification space and how this spotlight gives us an opportunity to articulate our commitment. At NOCTI/NBS, we believe that quality is not something to be taken for granted—it must be built, nurtured, and demonstrated at every step. Our commitment is clear: certifications should never be evaluated only after they are issued. Instead, quality is woven into the very fabric of our process, from the first blueprint to the final assessment. Our approach integrates industry expertise, psychometric rigor, and deep alignment with workforce needs. This means that every NOCTI/NBS credential is a trusted indicator of real value—reflecting skills that matter, not just on paper, but in the workplace and beyond.
Our Promise in a Nutshell
NOCTI’s process ensures validity, reliability, and industry alignment from the start—so credentials truly reflect the skills that matter most. You might be wondering, “What does ‘quality’ really mean in the world of certification?” Think about how we judge quality in our everyday lives. We look at user ratings, read reviews, and check the number of stars on Yelp or Amazon before making a decision. We examine the raw ingredients—whether it’s the wood and hardware in a desk, or the expertise and care behind a service. We consider who stands behind a product, and whether their reputation inspires trust.
The same principles apply to certifications. Quality comes from the processes and assurances a company employs. At NOCTI/NBS, we take our responsibility seriously. We adhere to industry standards, including ISO/IEC 17024, and our “standards of distinction” guide how we build, test, evaluate, and revise our assessments. Cutting corners is never an option. We also recognize the power of data—thousands of test takers across diverse industries generate insights that help us recognize talent, inform training, and drive continuous improvement. In a world where information security is paramount, we invest in robust systems and practices to protect this valuable resource.
A Personal Perspective
A few years ago, I was speaking with a recent graduate who had just earned a NOCTI certification. She shared how nervous she’d been about entering the workforce, unsure if her skills would truly be recognized. But when she presented her credential during a job interview, the employer immediately understood its value—because it was backed by industry standards and rigorous assessment. That moment of recognition gave her the confidence she needed, and she landed the job. Stories like hers remind me every day why we insist on building quality into every step of our process.
Certifications aren’t just pieces of paper—they’re bridges to opportunity, built on trust and expertise. Perhaps most importantly, we champion a true third-party approach to assessment. While teachers and supervisors play vital roles, verifying knowledge and skills against a national standard requires a neutral subject matter expert. This removes bias and upholds the integrity of the certification process.
Measuring the value of certifications isn’t always straightforward. Wage impact and reputation matter, but these factors can be dynamic and vary by region or industry. Certifications are sometimes bundled with training, making it harder to separate the value of the credential from the program. That’s why NOCTI/NBS remains focused on what matters most: building quality from the ground up, so every certification stands as a mark of trust and readiness. These values are in our DNA and we know our partners—from industry and education—believe quality matters also. In a world full of choices, let’s build confidence together—one quality certification at a time.
Wishing you and yours a fabulous holiday season and we look forward to our 2026 collaborations!
Kathleen and the NOCTI/NBS Team