Certification Management Nightmares

Certification Management Nightmares

Certification management is crucial for businesses across a multitude of industries, yet the administrative upkeep is a nightmare. Unfortunately, the consequences of non-compliance are even more dangerous. Hefty fines. Government sanctions. License suspensions and revocations. Lost clients. Discontinued revenues. These are just a few of the serious consequences businesses and employees can face when certifications are out of date or when managing those certifications is overwhelming.

Need an example? Look no further than the airline industry. The Federal Aviation Administration regulates everything from pilots and aircrafts to airlines and airports. Certifications managed include the Airmen Certification for pilots and mechanics, the Airworthiness Certification for aircrafts, the 121 Air Carrier Certification, Airport Certification, and various medical, instructor, and supplemental certificates. Operating an aircraft or aviation business without these certifications may result in fines, revocations of licenses, and/or government action.  In essence this means that planes could remain grounded if anyone – from the maintenance crew to the pilot to the head of the airline or airport – forgot to obtain or renew the necessary licenses and certifications. Worse yet, the pilot, maintenance tech, and/or airline may be prohibited from renewing their certifications in the future.

Other government-required certifications and licenses include those that regulate the financial securities industry and the medical services field. These regulations and requirements can be particularly difficult to navigate, as most vary from state to state, especially in the healthcare industries. Doctors and hospitals, for example, must obtain licenses from the individual states where they plan to practice medicine. Practitioners must also, however, remain in compliance with a number of federal programs and regulations, including HIPAA. Not obtaining or maintaining the correct licenses or certifications could cost a doctor or other provider the right to practice medicine – permanently.

Most businesses and employees are familiar with the licenses, certifications, and permits needed in order to begin conducting business in their given industry. The problem arises when it comes time to renew these certifications or fulfill newly legislated requirements. Then, human error, lack of knowledge, or a missed deadline can create major problems. A certification tracking system that assists in identifying compliance issues and managing certification deadlines can help eliminate these risks. One that integrates with your company’s personnel files and career paths is even better – especially if it tracks certificate expiration dates.Want to learn more information about avoiding certification management nightmares.

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FAQs

What are the real consequences of letting certifications lapse?

Consequences can include hefty fines, government sanctions, license suspensions or revocations, lost clients, and discontinued revenue. In some cases, such as with medical licensure, a lapse can cost a provider the right to practice permanently rather than just triggering a temporary penalty.

Why is certification management such a high-stakes issue in the airline industry?

The FAA regulates a wide range of certifications, including Airmen Certification for pilots and mechanics, Airworthiness Certification for aircraft, 121 Air Carrier Certification, and Airport Certification, among others. If anyone involved, from maintenance crew to pilots to airline leadership, misses a renewal, aircraft can be grounded, and the individual or airline may even be barred from renewing that certification in the future.

Why is certification management especially complicated in healthcare?

Doctors and hospitals must obtain licenses from each individual state where they practice, and requirements vary significantly state to state. On top of that, providers must stay compliant with federal programs and regulations like HIPAA, creating overlapping state and federal requirements that are easy to lose track of manually.

Where do most certification management failures actually happen?

Most businesses know what licenses and certifications they need to get started. The failures tend to happen at renewal time or when new legislative requirements are introduced, when human error, lack of awareness, or a missed deadline causes a certification to lapse without anyone noticing in time.

What should a certification tracking system be able to do to actually prevent these problems?

It should identify compliance issues and manage certification deadlines proactively rather than reactively. It’s even more effective when it integrates with personnel files and career paths and tracks certificate expiration dates directly, rather than relying on someone remembering to check a spreadsheet.