Top 10 Documentation Specialist Certifications

Certifications provide validation of a documentation specialist’s knowledge and skills in the job market. They demonstrate expertise and professionalism, which can give the specialist an edge over other candidates. Certifications also show employers that the specialist is committed to staying up-to-date with industry trends and best practices. Additionally, certifications may be required for certain positions or organizations, making them a valuable asset for any documentation specialist looking to stand out from the competition.

The purpose of this article is to review and explain the value of various certifications available to Documentation Specialists and how they can help advance their careers.

What are Documentation Specialist Certifications?

Documentation specialist certification is a type of professional credential that is designed to demonstrate an individual’s expertise in the documentation process. This certification can help individuals demonstrate their ability to effectively organize, create, and manage technical documents. It also shows employers that an individual has the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively communicate technical information to audiences of varying levels.

The certification helps applicants stand out from other job seekers when applying for positions such as technical writers, instructional designers, training developers, and more. It also helps employers identify qualified candidates for roles that involve the development and management of technical documents.

Having documentation specialist certification signifies that an individual has a high level of knowledge and understanding of the techniques used in creating effective technical documents. Individuals who possess this certification have a greater chance at being hired or promoted within their current organization because they can show employers that they have the necessary skillset to develop quality documents quickly and efficiently. Additionally, having this certification may give individuals access to exclusive job postings or discounts on various products or services related to document development.

Pro Tip: Consider obtaining a certification in documentation specialist to demonstrate your expertise and stand out from the competition. Many professional organizations offer certifications that can help you gain recognition as a knowledgeable and experienced documentation specialist.

Related: What does a Documentation Specialist do?

Top 10 Documentation Specialist Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Documentation Specialists today.

1. Certified Professional Documentation Specialist (CPD)

Certified Professional Documentation Specialist (CPD) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who demonstrate expertise in the field of medical documentation. The CPD credential is awarded by the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA).

The CPD program consists of three levels: Certified Professional Documentation Specialist (CPD), Certified Professional Documentation Expert (CPE), and Certified Professional Documentation Master (CPM). To achieve the CPD credential, an individual must pass a written examination that tests their knowledge of medical terminology, anatomy and physiology, medical coding, health information management principles and practices, and legal issues related to healthcare documentation.

It typically takes approximately six months to complete the requirements for the CPD certification. This includes studying for and taking the exam, as well as completing any required continuing education courses or other requirements specified by AHIMA.

To become certified as a CPD, you must first apply for certification through AHIMA’s website. You will need to provide proof of your educational background and experience in medical documentation. Once your application is approved, you will receive instructions on how to register for the exam. The cost of the exam varies depending on which level you are applying for; however, it typically ranges from $200-$400 USD.

2. Certified Technical Writer (CTW)

Certified Technical Writer (CTW) is a professional certification that recognizes the expertise of technical writers in the field. It is awarded by the Society for Technical Communication (STC), an international organization dedicated to advancing technical communication.

The certification process involves taking a comprehensive exam, which tests the knowledge and skills of technical writers in areas such as writing, editing, design, project management, and other related topics. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and consists of multiple-choice questions.

In order to become certified, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements including having at least five years of experience as a technical writer or editor and completing at least one STC-approved course in technical writing. Additionally, applicants must pass the CTW exam with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of becoming certified varies depending on where you take the exam and what type of membership you have with STC. Generally speaking, however, it costs around $500-$700 USD to become certified.

3. Certified Documentation Manager (CDM)

Certified Documentation Manager (CDM) is a professional certification program designed to help professionals in the documentation field enhance their skills and knowledge. The CDM program is offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC). The certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated mastery of the principles and practices of effective technical communication.

The CDM exam covers topics such as project management, content development, usability, information architecture, and more. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and requires a minimum score of 70% to pass. It typically takes two to three hours to complete the exam.

To become certified, candidates must first submit an application with proof of education or experience in technical communication. Once approved, candidates can purchase the exam voucher from STC's website for $325 USD. After passing the exam, candidates will receive their CDM certificate and are eligible to use the CDM credential after their name.

4. Certified Information Mapping Practitioner (CIMP)

Certified Information Mapping Practitioner (CIMP) is a certification program offered by the International Institute for Information Mapping (IIIM). It is designed to certify professionals in the field of information mapping, which is a process used to organize and present complex information in an easy-to-understand format. This certification ensures that practitioners have the necessary skills and knowledge to create effective and efficient maps for their clients.

The CIMP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that tests their knowledge of information mapping principles, techniques, tools, and best practices. The exam consists of multiple choice questions covering topics such as data analysis, visual representation of data, project management, and user experience design. The exam takes approximately two hours to complete.

To obtain the CIMP certification, applicants must first register with IIIM and pay a fee of $200 USD. After registering, applicants can then take the exam at any approved testing center or online through IIIM’s website. Once the exam has been completed successfully, applicants will receive their CIMP certificate within four weeks.

The CIMP certification is valid for three years from the date of issue and can be renewed by taking a refresher course or passing a recertification exam.

5. Certified Technical Communication Professional (CTCP)

Certified Technical Communication Professional (CTCP) is a professional certification program offered by the Society for Technical Communication (STC). It is designed to recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate a high level of expertise in technical communication. The CTCP credential is awarded to those who have demonstrated mastery of the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for successful technical communication.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all of the requirements for the CTCP certification. Candidates must first pass an online assessment that tests their knowledge of technical communication topics such as writing, editing, design, project management, usability testing, and more. After passing this assessment, candidates must then submit three writing samples that demonstrate their ability to produce quality technical documents. Finally, they must complete a portfolio review process with an STC-approved reviewer.

The cost of obtaining the CTCP certification varies depending on the country in which you live. In the United States, it costs $325 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees. This fee covers all aspects of the certification process including registration fees and portfolio review costs.

In summary, Certified Technical Communication Professional (CTCP) is a professional certification program offered by STC that recognizes individuals who demonstrate mastery in technical communication topics such as writing, editing, design, project management and usability testing. It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete all requirements for the CTCP certification and it costs $325 USD plus any applicable taxes or fees in order to obtain it.

6. Microsoft Office Specialist Certification in Word and Excel

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification is a globally recognized certification program designed to validate an individual’s skills in Microsoft Office applications. Specifically, the MOS certification covers Word and Excel.

The MOS certification is awarded after passing one or more of the following exams: Word Expert, Excel Expert, and PowerPoint Associate. The exams are administered by Certiport, an authorized testing center for Microsoft Office products.

The exams take approximately 90 minutes each and consist of multiple-choice questions that test your knowledge of the Microsoft Office applications. The cost of each exam varies depending on your location, but typically ranges from $80 to $120 USD.

To get certified, you must pass one or more of the MOS exams with a score of 700 or higher out of 1000 points. You can prepare for the exam by taking online courses, attending classes at a local college or university, or using self-study materials such as books and practice tests.

Once you have passed all required exams, you will receive an official certificate from Microsoft that verifies your achievement as a Microsoft Office Specialist in Word and Excel.

7. Adobe Certified Expert in Acrobat Pro

Adobe Certified Expert in Acrobat Pro is a certification program offered by Adobe that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in using the Acrobat Pro software. It is designed to help demonstrate expertise in creating, editing, and managing PDF documents.

To become an Adobe Certified Expert, you must pass a series of exams that cover topics such as creating forms, working with scanned documents, creating interactive PDFs, and more. The exams are administered online and can be taken at any time.

The cost of the certification varies depending on the number of exams taken, but typically ranges from $100-$300 USD. The certification is valid for two years after which it must be renewed.

To get certified, you must first register for the exam through Adobe’s website. Once registered, you will receive instructions on how to access the exam and take it online. After completing the exam, your results will be sent to Adobe for review and approval. Upon approval, you will receive an Adobe Certified Expert certificate via email.

8. DITA Certification

DITA Certification is a professional certification program that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated proficiency in the Darwin Information Typing Architecture (DITA) standard. It is designed to validate an individual’s knowledge and skills related to DITA, including topics such as authoring, editing, and publishing documents using the DITA standard.

The certification process typically takes around 2-4 weeks to complete depending on the candidate's familiarity with DITA. The process consists of two parts: an online exam and a practical assessment. The online exam covers topics such as DITA architecture, document structure, content reuse, and best practices for authoring and editing documents. The practical assessment requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to create a valid DITA document from scratch.

To get certified, individuals must register for the certification program through the OASIS website and pay the associated fee (currently $250). After registering for the program, candidates will receive instructions on how to access the online exam and practical assessment components of the certification process. Upon successful completion of both components, candidates will receive their official DITA Certification certificate.

9. Content Management Professional (CMP)

Content Management Professional (CMP) is a certification program offered by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI). It is designed to recognize professionals who demonstrate a mastery of content marketing and its related disciplines. CMPs are knowledgeable in the areas of strategy, planning, execution, measurement, and optimization.

The CMP program consists of two parts: a self-assessment exam and an online course. The self-assessment exam covers topics such as content marketing fundamentals, strategy development, content creation and distribution, analytics and measurement, and optimization. The online course provides comprehensive instruction in all aspects of content marketing.

It typically takes 6-8 weeks to complete the CMP program. To get started, you must register for the self-assessment exam and pay the $299 fee. Once you have completed the exam and passed with a score of 80% or higher, you can then register for the online course which costs $599.

Once you have completed both parts of the program successfully, you will receive your official CMP certification from CMI. This certification is valid for three years from the date it was issued and can be renewed by taking additional courses or completing continuing education activities.

10. Society for Technical Communication Certification Program

The Society for Technical Communication (STC) Certification Program is an online program designed to recognize technical communicators who have demonstrated their knowledge and skills in the field. The program is open to anyone who has a background in technical communication, including those who are new to the field or experienced professionals.

The program consists of four levels: Associate, Professional, Senior, and Master. Each level requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as writing, editing, design, and project management. The exams are administered online and can be taken at any time. It typically takes between 3-6 months to complete the certification process.

To get certified, applicants must first register with STC and pay a fee. The fees vary depending on the level of certification sought and range from $75-$500 USD. Applicants must also submit a portfolio of work that demonstrates their experience and skills in technical communication. Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their certificate from STC.

The STC Certification Program provides recognition for those working in the field of technical communication by validating their knowledge and expertise. It is an invaluable resource for employers looking for qualified candidates as well as professionals looking to advance their careers.

Do You Really Need a Documentation Specialist Certificate?

The answer to this question depends on your individual career goals and experience. If you are looking to enter the field of documentation specialist, a certificate can be beneficial in helping you stand out from other applicants. Having a certification can give employers the assurance that you have the necessary skills and knowledge for the job. Additionally, a certification may open up additional job opportunities that otherwise would not be available without it.

On the other hand, if you already have experience or education in this field, then a documentation specialist certificate may not be necessary. Employers will likely look at an applicant’s prior work history and educational background when making hiring decisions. If your experience is sufficient, then having a certificate may not be required to land the job.

Ultimately, it is important to weigh all of your options before deciding whether or not a documentation specialist certificate is right for you. It can help set you apart from other applicants and provide additional job opportunities, but it may not be necessary depending on your individual circumstances.

Related: Documentation Specialist Resume Examples

FAQs About Documentation Specialist Certifications

1. What types of certifications are available for documentation specialists?

Answer: There are a variety of certifications available for documentation specialists, including Certified Professional Technical Communicator (CPTC), Certified Documentation Professional (CDP), and Certified Technical Writer (CTW).

2. How long does it take to earn a certification?

Answer: The amount of time required to earn a certification varies depending on the program and the individual's experience level. Generally, most programs require between one and two years to complete.

3. Are there any prerequisites for certification?

Answer: Yes, most programs require that applicants have some degree of experience in technical writing or related fields before they can be eligible for certification. Additionally, many programs also require applicants to pass an exam or demonstrate their knowledge through a portfolio review.

4. What is the cost of obtaining a certification?

Answer: The cost of obtaining a certification varies by program but typically ranges from $500 - $2,000 USD depending on the type of certification and program chosen.

5. Are there any online resources available to help me prepare for my certification exam?

Answer: Yes, there are several online resources available that can help you prepare for your certification exam including study guides, practice tests, and tutorial videos. Additionally, many organizations offer review courses or seminars specifically designed to help prepare candidates for their exams.