Microcredentials have become an important part of the landscape for an increasing number of professional careers. Many employers are now requiring a professional to procure and maintain certifications or other credentials in order to maintain employment. The governing bodies offering these credentials often exercise great control over how to obtain and maintain them. Unfortunately, the loss of these credentials can mean a demotion or even a termination from employment.
If you have been accused of misconduct and are at risk of losing a microcredential, the LLF National Law Firm’s Professional License Defense Team can help you. Our team has experience nationwide in defending a vast array of professionals who are at risk of losing their microcredentials. To find out how the LLF National Law Firm can help you, call 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential, online contact form today.
What Are Microcredentials?
Microcredentials, sometimes also referred to as microdegrees or nanodegrees, are mini-qualifications that allow individuals to obtain skills in a particular area. They are often required to be obtained by an employer in order to qualify for or maintain employment at a certain position within the company. These microcredentials can often be completed in a fraction of the time as traditional college or community college degrees. However, they are often the source of invaluable information in a particular specialty or sub-specialty and thus are often highly sought after by employers and employees alike.
Benefits of Microcredentials
Some key benefits of microcredentials include:
- Flexibility – Microcredential courses can often be taken online or are offered on a continuous basis, making it easy for busy professionals to find time
- Specificity – Microcredentials are usually offered for very specific specialties or sub-specialties. The topics covered are usually not included as part of the standard curriculum of colleges or community colleges, and thus can be particularly useful to employers in certain industries
- Certification – After completing the course requirements, professionals will receive a certification from a state or other governing body, which they can include on their professional resume or CV. This may allow professionals greater access to more lucrative or prestigious positions
Benefits of Microcredentials
The benefits of obtaining microcredentials are numerous, including:
- Career Advancement – Persons obtaining microcredentials are often eligible for better, higher-paying jobs within their organization. They may also be eligible for jobs at other companies that only hire individuals with a specific microcredential
- Cost-Effectiveness – Compared to the cost of traditional colleges and community colleges, obtaining a microcredential is extremely cost-effective. The courses are offered at a fraction of the cost of a traditional college course and can be completed much more quickly
- Industry-Relevant – Microcredentials are usually specifically tailored to specialties or sub-specialties. The subject matter can sometimes only be obtained through a microcredential course.
How Do I Obtain a Microcredential?
Microcredentials are typically offered by states, various institutions, including professional organizations, and colleges and universities. They can be found on dedicated online platforms operated by institutions that provide short courses specifically tailored to industry demands. These courses provide a pathway to lifelong learning and the enhancement of employees’ professional development.
Consequences for Losing Microcredentials
States or other institutions that offer microcredentials often have continuing education requirements and annual reporting requirements. If you fail to meet such requirements, you may risk losing your certification. This is also the case if you are accused of and found guilty of misconduct or some other ethical lapse.
While the conduct accused of may not be enough to cause a state licensing board to revoke or suspend your license, you may nevertheless be at risk of losing a position at work. This is because many employers are now turning to a model where “employability” does not depend on a degree or certification, but on a series of microcredentials.
Even if the state licensing board doesn’t take away your license, an employer’s insurance or client contracts may mandate specific certifications. If those lapses occur, the person is “unemployable” for their specific role.
If a microcredential lapses, an employer may be forced to suspend an employee in order to allow him or her to regain it. If it cannot be accomplished in a timely manner, the employer may have no other recourse than to terminate the employee’s employment.
In addition, if a professional loses a certification due to an ethics violation or incompetence, it creates a public record. Even if they keep their primary state license, the “cause” behind the loss of the microcredential can be used as evidence in a state board investigation to revoke their primary license. One can easily grasp the importance of not losing these microcredentials
Why You Should Not Go It Alone
Although you have the right to defend yourself in any hearing before a governing organization, you do so at your own risk. This lack of due process that is often prevalent in any proceeding before an organization makes hiring an attorney even more important. Due to the stakes involved, including loss of a high-paying job, every complaint should be taken seriously. Even if you believe that a complaint against you is frivolous or unsubstantiated, the risks are too great to defend yourself without a qualified attorney by your side.
Unlike criminal matters, you are not innocent until proven guilty in any disciplinary proceeding. However, the organization has the burden of proof, and a “preponderance of the evidence” standard is typically used. That means that if it is found that it is more likely than not that you committed an infraction, they will find you guilty.
The LLF National Law Firm Can Help You Defend Yourself Against Loss of a Certification
The Professional License Defense Team at the LLF National Law Firm has defended countless professionals against misconduct charges. If you find yourself in a situation where charges are being brought against you, we can help. Our Professional License Defense Team has experience defending students across the country.
Punishment for disciplinary matters can be severe and can cause you difficulty in finding another job. The LLF National Law Firm Team has the experience you need to defend yourself. Call 888-535-3686 or fill out our confidential contact form today.