Commission on Credentialing

Introduction

In the previous issue of the National Parliamentarian, the Commission on Credentialing provided an update on some of the ongoing work of our credentialing programs . This article will focus on the new Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Examination and provide an update on the Criteria for Credentialing .

Establishing the Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Examination

The second major project the Commission undertook was replacing the Schoology program with a method to administer the RP exam that was both attainable for the candidate and sustainable for NAP. As a result, the Commission drafted a recommendation for the RP credential, which was subsequently adopted by MREC and the Board . The recommendation established the Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Examination (RPCE) . The specific recommendations are set out below . 1

Brief Description

The Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Exam (RPCE) is administered by the Commission on Credentialing in conjunction with the Membership and Registration Examiners Committee (MREC) and is composed of the multiple-choice exam and the performance exam . It is uniformly administered, scored, and evaluated .

The RPCE is administered on a single day with the multiple-choice exam given in the morning and the performance exam given in the afternoon . The RPCE is available during seven-day examination windows that are determined by the Commission on Credentialing . RPCE applicants must register at least twenty-one days prior to the start of the examination window .

Detailed Description

The Commission on Credentialing has recommended to the MREC, and the NAP Board of Directors, that the legacy Registered Parliamentarian Exam (legacy RP Exam) be replaced with the RPCE .

Currently, the legacy RP Exam is not being utilized, and a review is underway to update the exam to the 12th edition of Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, unless a new examination is introduced . 2

The RPCE will be administered during a one-day period and will be composed of two sections .

Section I will consist of one-hundred multiple choice questions derived from the Registered Parliamentarian Performance Expectations . Section I will be automatically scored by the examination platform .

Section II will be a performance exam, also derived from the Registered Parliamentarian Performance Expectations, with scenarios that each candidate must complete in writing . Section II will be scored by trained examiners .

For candidates to be successful, they must objectively demonstrate core competencies needed to obtain the RP credential and must demonstrate the application of the core knowledge and basic business skills needed by every parliamentarian . Within 60 days of the close of each examination window, candidates will receive notification of their examination results and whether they have attained the RP credential .

A sample of practice questions for both the multiple-choice exam and the performance exam will be available; however, the questions utilized for the actual examination will not be publicly available nor will each subsequent exam be the same . 3

The RPCE will be offered during an examination window at regular intervals . The examination window will occur quarterly . This regular interval system will allow the exam materials to be regularly evaluated and improved for future usage and allow the examiners notice of when their services will be needed and the associated deadlines . This continuous improvement approach, utilizing psychometric analysis of examination data collected, will lead to improved examination instruments and examination experiences for the candidates .

The Commission on Credentialing will be administering and analyzing the examinations and recommending to the MREC that the RP credential be awarded upon successful passage of the RPCE by candidates . The RPCE will be proctored either in-person or using a virtual monitoring system that is approved by the Commission on Credentialing .

Schedule

The table at the top of page 40 contains the RPCE schedule for 2023 . These dates are based on actions adopted by the Board, MREC, and the Commission . Please note that the “Expected Notification Date” is an internal Commission deadline .

RPCE Testing Platform

NAP contracted with ExamSoft to manage and administer the Membership Examination and the RPCE . The Commission worked with ExamSoft to implement the testing environment . ExamSoft is a downloadable software, and it locks down the testing device . These security

2 The 1,200-question study guide is not being updated for credentialing purposes; however, the questions are being updated for educational purposes

3 https://www parliamentarians org/rp-credential/

January 10, 2023

April 4, 2023

July 4, 2023

October 10, 2023

January 31, 2023, April 7, 2023

March 31, 2023 to February 6, 2023

April 25, 2023, June 30, 2023

June 23, 2023 to May 1, 2023

July 25, 2023, September 29, 2023

September 22, 2023 to July 31, 2023

October 31, 2023, January 5, 2024

December 29, 2023 to November 6, 2023 features assist the Commission with ensuring the integrity of the exam .

Rules

The Examination Rules have been redeveloped and added to the NAP website . 4

Differences in Approach

The RPCE takes a different approach to credentialing than the previous versions of the exam, specifically the Schoology RP Program . The RPCE is a certification approach to credentialing . The Schoology RP program, pursuant its design, was an assessment-based certificate program . 5 Although this is a legitimate method to administer a credential, it is incompatible with NAP’s culture and the unique nature of our credentials . There are several major differences between a certification and an assessment-based certificate program . A few specific areas below are essential to highlight .

4 https://www parliamentarians org/rp-rules/

Updating the criteria for credentialing

For some, the change in direction and approach will undoubtedly be unsettling and take time to adjust; however, to expedite the transition and educate members on the new expectations, the Commission is preparing to release an updated Criteria for Credentialing . This new publication will provide individuals seeking credentials with a comprehensive understanding of what is expected for both the RPCE and the Professional Registered Parliamentarian Credentialing Examination (PRPCE), which will be announced soon .

This new edition will contain an updated philosophies statement, the description for the RPCE, the RP performance expectations, the description for the PRPCE, and the PRP performance expectations . The Commission intends for this

5 Defining Features of Quality Certification and Assessment-Based Certificate Programs (2010, Institute for Credentialing Excellence)

Assessment-Based certificate certification Program

The primary focus of an assessment-based The primary focus of a professional/ certificate program is on facilitating the personnel certification program is on accomplishment of intended learning providing an independent assessment outcomes . .Although assessment is an of the knowledge, skills, and/or integral part of the certificate program, competencies required for competent the primary purpose of the program is to performance of an occupational or provide education and training which professional role or specific work-related supports the accomplishment of the tasks and responsibilities intended learning outcomes .

The purpose of formative assessment is to The purpose of the assessment process is to provide feedback to both participants and evaluate mastery of the knowledge, skills, facilitators with the intent of enhancing the or competencies required for certification learning process . . Any generally accepted assessment method may be utilized for this purpose .

Formative assessment may take place on The assessment takes place after the one or more occasions throughout the participant has had the opportunity to learning process . . acquire the targeted knowledge, skills, or competencies .

Successful completion of the summative The assessment is conducted in a assessment is required to receive standardized manner in a secure, the certificate . . proctored environment .

Successful completion of the assessment is required to receive the certification

Defining Features of Quality Certification and Assessment-Based Certificate Programs (2010, Institute for Credentialing Excellence) document to be a resource for members preparing to take the next step in their membership . With that in mind, the final publication will be user-friendly and intuitive . conclusion

The Commission is committed to sharing regular updates with the c.J. cavin is a licensed attorney, Professional Registered Parliamentarian and Certified Parliamentarian-Teacher He is the full-time parliamentarian for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, chair of the NAP Commission on Credentialing, the Parliamentarian for the American Institute of Parliamentarians, vice-president for the American College of Parliamentary Lawyers, and president of the Oklahoma State Association of Parliamentarians

NAP Board of Directors and the membership . The Commission will attempt to place an update in every edition of the National Parliamentarian for the foreseeable future . If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the Commission at commission@nap2 .org .

Parliamentary Law Month Proclamation April 2023

Whereas, Since April is the birth month of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote the first American manual of parliamentary procedure in 1801, it is an appropriate time to honor him and celebrate the use of parliamentary procedure;

Whereas, It is fitting to honor Henry Martyn Robert, author of Pocket Manual of Rules of Order for Deliberative Assemblies, also known as Robert’s Rules of Order;

Whereas, Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised is the most widely recognized and used parliamentary authority in public and private organizations;

Whereas, It is timely to reflect on the importance of parliamentary procedure in meetings in providing for civil discourse, protecting individual rights, ensuring fairness, and maintaining order;

Whereas, The National Association of Parliamentarians® has, by adoption of a standing rule, designated the month of April as Parliamentary Law Month;

Whereas, The National Association of Parliamentarians® is a professional society dedicated to educating leaders throughout the world in effective meeting management through the use of parliamentary procedure; and

Whereas, The vision of the National Association of Parliamentarians® is to provide parliamentary leadership to the world; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That I, Wanda M Sims, PRP, President of the National Association of Parliamentarians®, do hereby declare April 2023 as Parliamentary Law Month and call upon the districts, associations, units, and all members to observe the month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities as a way to create the future and bring our mission and vision into reality .