A credential is issued by a third party, such as NPCC or American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). These groups have authoritative power to quantify proof of an individual’s qualification or competence in a given subject. For Nurses in a Genetics Clinical Practice, the competence is based on the ability to demonstrate their application of the “Genetics/Genomics Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd edition, 2016”. 

Beyond personal desire for more knowledge, possessing a credential helps prove competency and capability in a given field, and demonstrates to one’s community and employers that the individual is competent, properly trained and equipped to carry out their duties. For some credentials, the individual will sit for an exam or submit a portfolio of documents, after meeting certain requirements — a set level of education, experience or a combination of both. Credentials serve as verification that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competency in their specialty subject matter. With credentialed staff members, employers are assured of having a workforce of employees that are capable of handling whatever challenges their job responsibilities present. Credentials need to be renewed at specific time periods with continuing education units, documentation of clinical practice experience and validation of 

Certification is a formal process that recognizes and validates an individual’s qualifications in a certain subject. A Certification is earned by an individual to assure they are qualified to perform a job or task through the acknowledgement of educational achievement. Certificates verify, many times with an exam, that a professional has achieved a baseline level of competence in a complicated subject area. A passing score assures employers that an individual is capable of handling the challenges his or her job responsibilities present. Certifications are earned from a professional society and must be renewed periodically, generally through completed continuing education units.

The document below, "Genetic Nursing Evolution", lists the important dates in the growth, development and incorporation of genetics into a recognized specialty in nursing. Part of this evolution included the development of a credential. to validate the knowledge, clinical expertise and commitment to the incorporation of genetics into advanced patient care by the Genomic Nurse.  While other specialties have used exams to demonstrate expertise, nurses in Genetics have only submitted portfolios with evidence documents based on the advancing field of Genetics/Genomics. The Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice, such as 2001 versus 2016 guides the practice of Genetic Nursing. This portfolio submission requires much time and organization to create a professional portfolio of a nurse's work experiences in Genetics.