Certification Process

 

There are three steps to obtaining Professional Certification:

 

 

The occupational knowledge exam is based on your knowledge of the National Occupational Standard for your profession.  All exams are multiple-choice and have a passing score that is predetermined and varies by occupation.  There are several testing dates each year that can be arranged in all major centres and rural communities.  Exam scores are kept confidential, but we encourage you to share your score with supervisors and/or employers.

 

The performance evaluation is conducted by a trained evaluator who is qualified in your occupation.  The evaluator will observe your knowledge, skills, and attitude on-the-job.  STEC is fortunate to have a dedicated core of professional evaluators certified in one or more tourism professions.  These evaluators volunteer their time and services to assess the knowledge, skills, and attitude of certification candidates.

 

The skills or “occupational tasks” that you will have to perform can be found in the performance review at the back of your National Occupational Standard workbook.  We encourage you to complete the performance review with the assistance of a supervisor and/or certified peer, who can provide feedback.  Once you have mastered all of the skills in the review, send the Signatory Page/Request for Industry Evaluation form at the back of the manual to the STEC office and we will schedule you for a performance evaluation.

 

Upon successful completion of the evaluation, and by meeting all other requirements, you will be presented with a certificate, pin, and summary of your evaluator’s comments.  If you are unsuccessful at any stage of certification, you may repeat this step until successful completion is achieved (a fee will apply).  If you are not active in the certification process for more than one year, your registration may be moved to “inactive” and will remain there until you contact STEC.

Prior to receiving Professional Certification, you are required to provide evidence of a specified number of hours of work experience.  The requirement differs for every occupation, but generally ranges from four to six months for frontline staff and up to two years for supervisors and managers. 

 

 

Please Note: The cost of certification is considered non-refundable once payment is received.

 

To read more about the certification process, click here.