Mission

Certified Research Professional (CRP) program is your gateway to excellence in research, bringing to the fore your career with our internationally recognized certification, tailored for professionals dedicated to upholding the highest standards in the field. Join a community committed to ethical practices, continuous learning, and advancing global research. 

Policy

The Qualification and Certification Committee engages in activities that support the Association’s Council decisions on who is within the certification program and at what stage.

Purpose

This Policy has been created in order to develop a certification program that recognizes professional development and achievement of an individual in their understanding and administration of building regulations and to ensure that all persons seeking levels of professional standing adhere to certain competence requirements.

Scope of the Committee

The Qualification and Certification Committee is responsible for developing, implementing and monitoring CRP Certification Program.

Responsibilities

The Responsibilities of the Qualifications and Certification Committee include:

• Define a strategic direction for CRP Certification.
• Establish recertification requirements.
• Establish work plan and schedule for implementation.
• Determine examination requirements, such as test format and retesting rules.
• Determines whether CRP Certification requirements have been met.
• Develop fee schedule for applications and administration procedures.
• Establish education and work experience eligibility requirements to participate in the CRP program.
• Maintain records of applicants for certification and recertification in perpetuity.
• Develop and implement CRP certification program for members and non-members wishing to enhance their careers related to the research industry.
• Gathers information about individuals who have applied for Certification that supports their application for certification from training providers, examiners, and other sources.
• Maintain up-to-date examination security risk management policies and procedures.
• As necessary, determine the need for external expertise, such as for examination writing and statistical analysis purposes, and choose appropriate vendor.
• Work with the Secretariat to develop application, operational and administration procedures.
• Recommends to the Governing Council the stage of the Certification program where the individual should be placed. The Governing Council makes the final decision on who will be certified and at what stage.
• Monitor the effectiveness of programs after implementation

The Qualification and Certification Committee and/or its members are NOT involved in training or examining candidates for any level of certification.

Process for Reviewing and Modifying Certification Programs

The Qualification and Certification Committee shall conduct a basic review of the Certification Program once per year. The review will consider:

• Changes to the Building Code and referenced standards.
• Modifications to accommodate the CRP certification Programs.
• The adequacy of the CRP Continuing Professional Development Program.
• Other issues relevant to certification.

Should the Committee determine through this review that the certification program (or process) should be changed; the Qualification and Certification Committee will create a report to the Governing Council recommending changes and supporting the changes with research and information. The Governing Council would approve changes (to take effect on a defined date) through the motion process.

At least one month, prior to the date when changes to the Certification program take effect, all IARSA members must be informed of the changes through one or more of the following mechanisms: email, newsletter or web site announcement.

Process for Appealing the Results of an Evaluation and other Criteria used to Determine Certification Stages

The Qualification and Certification Committee shall provide Association members who are working towards certification, the right to appeal examination markings and other rating criteria used to determine certification stages:

• Permits members, who are attempting to meet requirements necessary to achieve a stage of certification and who believe an exam mark or other rating criteria related to certification was incorrect or unfair, to write a letter to the Governing Council explaining and justifying the concern.
• Upon review of the appeal the Governing Council will decide whether it has merit. Where merit exists, the Governing Council will determine how to conduct a re-evaluation or undertake other means to verify and substantiate whether certification requirements have been met.
• The appeal must be received within 60 days of the day that the contentious evaluation results are released by the Secretariat
• Governing Council members serving on the Qualification and Certification Committee will remove themselves from decisions made by the Governing Council regarding appeals.
• The Governing Council will respond in writing with a decision on the appeal within 90 days of the date the appeal is received. The decision of the Governing Council is final.

Committee Operations

• Assess Qualification and Certification Committee performance.
• Ensure meeting agendas focus on Committee roles and responsibilities.
• Ensure easy access to information needed for effective decision making.
• Review Orientation Manual requirements.
• Monitor the performance of Exam Subcommittees and Task Forces.

Composition of the Qualifications and Certification Committee

1. The Qualifications and Certification Committee:

• Shall consist of a majority of renowned scholars, researchers and outstanding professionals who have research and teaching experience for at least 10 years.
• Can include non-academic officials but such members must have 10 years experience at the directorate level in private and public organizations.
• Should represent research officials from the various zones.
• Association members shall be certified to the CRP.

2. Members of the Qualifications and Certification Committee are appointed by the Governing Council on the recommendation of the Chair of the Qualifications and Certification Committee.