About Association of boards of certification
The Association of Boards of Certification (ABC) is a non-profit organization that is committed to safeguarding public health and the environment by promoting the quality and integrity of environmental certification programs. ABC provides innovative technical support services, effective information exchange, professional and cost-effective examination services, and other progressive services for its members.
ABC was established in 1972 as an association of state water pollution control agencies. Since then, it has grown to become a leading organization in the field of environmental certification. ABC's mission is to ensure that environmental professionals are properly trained and certified to protect public health and the environment.
One of ABC's primary functions is to provide technical support services to its members. This includes developing training materials, providing technical assistance on certification program development, conducting research on emerging issues in environmental certification, and offering guidance on best practices for program administration.
Another important service provided by ABC is effective information exchange. This involves facilitating communication between members through conferences, workshops, webinars, newsletters, and other publications. By sharing knowledge and experience with one another, members can improve their programs' effectiveness while also staying up-to-date with industry trends.
ABC also offers professional examination services that are designed to be both rigorous and fair. These exams are developed using industry-standard psychometric methods that ensure they accurately measure an individual's knowledge and skills related to environmental certification.
In addition to these core services, ABC provides a range of other progressive offerings for its members. For example:
- The Environmental Operator Certification Program (EOCP) helps operators gain recognition for their skills through a nationally recognized credential.
- The National Environmental Training Center (NETC) provides online training courses on topics such as wastewater treatment plant operation.
- The Water Environment Federation (WEF) offers networking opportunities for professionals in the water sector.
- The National Rural Water Association (NRWA) supports rural water systems across the United States through training programs and advocacy efforts.
Overall, ABC plays a vital role in ensuring that environmental certification programs are of the highest quality and integrity. By providing technical support, information exchange, professional examination services, and other progressive offerings, ABC helps its members protect public health and the environment while also advancing their careers.