Certification vs. Certificate for PSWs

There is a misunderstanding regarding the role of the PSW, the certificate for PSWs, certification of PSWs, and the role of the National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) in the administration of a PSW test for participating Private Sector Colleges. The regulations of the Ministry of Education in Workplace Training govern curriculum specifically involving the PSW. The function of the National Association for Certified Caregivers/Personal Support Workers (NACPSW) is as a non-profit association, established as a steward of the PSW worker to measure an individual’s knowledge and skill as front line health care workers.

The NACPSW promotes voluntary certification as the preferred alternative to licensure and/or government regulation. It is a third party, standard-setting organization. In the assessment process, it measures mastery/competency, as gauged against a defensible set of standards, by the application of an exam.  When writing the exam, the costs are $150.00, with $100.00 going towards the membership fee and registry, and $50.00 for the exam. Along with the exam results, there is a measurement of workplace skills, and the two give a  combined mark. It is necessary to have a minimum of 70 per cent success in the combined mark to be issued certification. The membership costs are $75.00 a year, and 40 hours of study a year in a related field is required to maintain registry with the NACPSW.

Certification with the NACPSW results from an assessment process that recognizes an individual’s knowledge, skills and competency in front line health care, both in the institutions, such as nursing homes, retirement homes, and health care facilities, in the community, and in home care. The NACPSW provides third party testing and standard-setting, and is not-for-profit. There are on-going requirements in order to maintain registry; the holder must demonstrate that he/she continues to meet requirements, with 40 hours of educational credits each year, to maintain membership. The NACPSW is a trademarked and registered process.