Certification offers the public a high degree of protection because practitioners have to voluntarily meet standards and qualifications and pass an exam. Developing a certification is a complex and time-consuming process and requires a strong administrative organization in order to maintain its quality. Over a thousand certification programs exist in the U.S., qualifying professionals from crane operators to energy efficiency experts, from financial planners to automobile technicians.

Voluntary certification programs accomplish three important goals:

Provide a measure of protection to the public by giving them a credential for judging the competency of practitioners;
Provide practitioners with a way to distinguish themselves from their competition; and
Improve quality, public perception of the given occupation and increase the industry's prominence.
The NABCEP process has been developed and designed carefully following professional credentialing guidelines. Standards, developed by subject matter experts, have been set and the eligibility requirements are reasonably achievable being based on extensive input from stakeholders and deliberation among installers. NABCEP has built a transparent, non-discriminatory program implemented with fair procedures and due process.