Table of Contents

Acknowledgements 3
Section Index 5
Introduction 19
Purpose 19
Organization 19
ANSI Accreditation Process – Overview 23
The Focus 23
Why Get Accreditation? 23
What’s Needed? 24
How Long Does Accreditation Take? 25
Differences between 17024:03 and 17024:12 25
Applicant, Candidate, Examinee Credentials 26
Certification Development Process – Overview 28
Exam Development Process – Overview 29
References 35
Laws Relevant to Certification for Employment 36
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 39
Table of Contents 39
Management System 45
Scope 45
Location 45
Enforcement 45
Personnel Training and Documentation 45
Changes 46
Governance 47
Authority 47
Composition 47
Responsibilities 48
Officers and Recorder 49
Vacancy 50
Volunteer Agreements 50
Meetings 50
Notice 50
Meeting by Conference Call 50
Quorum and Voting 50
Electronic Action by Consent 51
Records of Meetings 51
Removal of Commission Members 51
Top Management Involvement 51
Top Management Defined 51
Involvement and Support 51
Internal Audit Review 51
Annual Review 52
Internal Audit 52
Audit Schedule 52
Audit Plan 52
Auditors 52
Findings 52
Corrective and Preventive Actions 52
Committees 53
Standing Committees 53
Ad Hoc Committees 53
Authority 53
Volunteer Agreements 53
Removal of Committee Members 54
Replacement of Committee Members 54
Scheme Committees 54
Appointments to a Scheme Committee 55
Officers 55
Vacancy 55
Meetings 55
Notice 56
Meeting by Conference Call 56
Quorum and Voting 56
Electronic Action by Consent 56
Records of Meetings 56
Scheme 56
Recertification 57
Job Task Analysis (JTA) 58
Suspending Certification 58
Withdrawal 58
Suspension 58
Changing Scope of Certification 59
Exam Development Task Force 59
Purpose and Responsibilities 59
Composition 59
Appointments to a Task Force 60
Officers 60
Vacancy 60
Meetings 60
Notice 61
Meeting by Conference Call 61
Quorum and Voting 61
Electronic Action by Consent 61
Records of Meetings 61
Appeals Board 61
Purpose 61
Board Composition 62
Appointments 62
Recusal 62
Vacancy 62
Meetings 62
Meeting by Conference Call 62
Quorum and Voting 63
Electronic Action by Consent 63
Records of Meetings 63
Personnel 64
Organization Chart 64
Personnel Responsibility Overview 65
Confidentiality of Related Bodies 66
Examiners 67
Officers’ Responsibilities Enumerated 67
Staff Job Descriptions, Evaluations 67
Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest 68
Examiners 68
Proctors 68
Qualifications 68
Instructions 68
Conflicts of Interest 68
Decision on Certification 69
Subcontractors 69
Definition 69
Agreements with Subcontractors 69
Subcontractor List 70
Subcontractor Review 70
Responsibility for Conformance to ISO/IEC 17024:12 70
Document Control 70
Documents, Records Defined 70
Scope of Document Control 71
Master List and Controlled Document Maintenance 71
Access 71
Records Control 71
Scope of Records Control System 71
Certification Record Control Schedule 71
No Retention Required 73
Confidentiality, Privacy, Security 73
Privacy and Security of Individual Information 73
Security of Exam Instruments 74
Internet Security 75
Security Breach 75
Fairness and Non-Discrimination 75
Adherence to Principles 75
Impartiality 76
Adherence to Principles 76
Exam Preparation 77
Authoritative References Lists 77
Preparatory Courses 77
Training 77
Training Independence 77
Program Fees 78
Fee Establishment and Modification 78
Notification of Fee Changes 78
Certification Schemes 78
Scheme Committees 78
Define Scope of the Exam 79
Conduct a Job Analysis 79
Develop a Scheme Or Blueprint 79
Scheme Components 79
No Membership 80
Publication of Scheme 80
Notification of Scheme Change 80
Certificant Compliance with Scheme Change 80
Review of Scheme 80
Examination Content Outline Development Process 81
Examination Content Outline Required Elements 81
Exam Development Process 81
Develop Test Items 81
Align Test Items with Blueprint 81
Conduct a Beta Test 81
Analyze Beta Test Data 82
Construct Equivalent Forms 82
Add Trial Items 82
Recommend the Passing Score for the Test 82
Determine Scaled Score Reporting 82
Conduct Quality Assurance 82
Monitor Initial Test Performance 82
Revise Test Items 82
Exam Maintenance Process 83
Evaluate and Add To Item Pool 83
Determine Items To Retire From Exam Forms 83
Add Calibrated Items To Exam Forms 83
Align Test Items with Blueprint 83
Construct Equivalent Forms 83
Add New Trial Items 84
Set The Passing Score For The Test 84
Revise Scaled Score Reporting 84
Conduct Quality Assurance 84
Monitor Test Performance 84
Revise Test Items 84
Psychometric Requirements 84
Required Elements 85
Item Calibration 85
Item Selection Criteria 85
Exam Criteria 86
Forms Equivalence 86
Audit Trail 86
Exam Administration Process 86
Printed Exams 86
Performance Exams 87
Internal Audit 88
Communication to Stakeholders 90
Identity and Test Security 91
Requests for Special Medical Accommodations 92
Appeals 92
Program Disputes and Complaints 94
Complaints Against Candidates or Certified Persons 95
Suspending Certification 97
Withdrawal 97
Suspension 97
Changing Scope of Certification 98
Code of Professional Conduct 98
Disciplinary Action 99
Reinstatement after Voluntary Lapse 100
Results 101
Certificates 101
Website 102
Use of the Certification Marks and Logos 103
Applicable Laws 105
Index 106
CANDIDATE HANDBOOK 111
Overview 113
About CCompany 113
Scope of Elite Fitness Specialist Certification 113
Statement of Non-Discrimination 113
Application Process 113
Overview 113
Application and Fees 114
Postmark Deadlines 114
Eligibility Requirements 114
Scheduling an Examination Appointment 114
Fees 115
Exam Sites 115
Special Circumstances and Fees 115
Incomplete Applications 115
Cancellation / Fee Refund 115
Extreme Circumstances / No Fee Penalty 115
The Examinations 116
Examination Formats 116
Language 116
Americans with Disabilities Act 116
Preparing for the Examinations 116
Computer-based Examination Content Outline 116
Practical Examination Content Outline 117
Authoritative References List 118
Studying for the Practical Examination 118
On the Day of the Examination 119
Test Admission Procedures 119
Practical Examination 119
Testing Center Rules 120
Dismissal 121
Inclement Weather 121
Examination Irregularities 121
Handling of Tests 121
After the Examination 122
Notification of Results 122
Results — Passing 122
Results – Failing 123
Retesting: Candidate Fails 124
Retesting: Candidate Passes 124
Appeals Policy 124
Code of Professional Conduct 124
Certificants 125
Appropriate Use of the Certification 125
Request for Hand Scoring 125
Request for Duplicate Certificate 125
Ongoing Requirements 125
Recertification 126
Forms 127
Application 127
Verification of Experience 132
Change of Address 133
ADA Accommodation Request 134
Index 136
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK 137
Welcome 138
New-Hire Checklist 138
Our Workplace 139
At-Will Employment 139
Non-Discrimination 139
Sexual Harassment Policy 139
Policies in This Handbook 139
Cooperation in Investigation 139
Policies & Procedures 140
Signed Job Descriptions 140
Evaluations 140
Accommodations 140
Personnel Records 140
References 140
Termination 140
Management System Training 141
Management System Training 141
Benefits 141
Sick Leave and Vacation 141
CCompany Calendar 141
Health Insurance 142
Retirement Plan 142
Witness or Jury Duty 143
Bereavement 143
Safety Rules 143
Return to Work 143
ESSA Leave 144
Rules of Conduct 146
Forms 148
ADA Accommodations Request 148
Employee Agreement 151
Covenant Not To Compete 152
Emergency Contact 153
Acknowledgement of Receipt 155
Index 156
FORMS BY TOPIC 157
Candidate Forms 159
Verification of Experience 164
Change of Address 165
ADA Accommodation Request 166
Notification of Results 168
Employee Forms 171
JOB DESCRIPTION 173
Job Title:Exam Development Manager 173
Education and/or Experience 174
Policy Forms 176
Scope of Records Control System 204
Certification Record Control Schedule 204
No Retention Required 205
Scheme Forms 206
Scope 211
Job Task Analysis 211
Required Competence 211
Abilities… (Optional) 211
Prerequisites 211
Recertification 211
Code of Conduct 211
Scope Conformity 212
Samples of Publicly Available Scope Statements 212
Appeals Forms 215
Appeals Policy Issues 217
Purpose 217
Relevant Terminology 217
Required Elements 217
Appeals Policy 218
Appeals Register 220
Security Forms 234
Test Production 234
Administration 235
On-Site Administration 235
Scoring 236
Archive 236
Security Policy 240
Privacy and Security of Individual Information 240
Security of Exam Instruments 240
Identity and Test Security 240
Test Security 241
Exam Development Security 241
Item Bank Security 241
Test Delivery Security 241
Test Administration Security 241
External Security 242
Data Compilation 242
Volunteer Forms 243
Web Forms 244
Impartiality 245
Scope & Certification Process 245
Prerequisites 245
Accuracy 245
Change in Scheme 246
Change in Fees 246
Appeals 246
Complaints 246
Accommodations 246
Subcontractor Forms 247
Index 260

liance Handbook.