Certcalendar publishes information people use to make real decisions about money and careers. This page explains the standards every guide on the site has to meet.
1. Primary sources first
We rank sources in this order:
- The issuing body. This means official handbooks, fee schedules, exam content outlines, and renewal requirements published by the organization that awards the credential.
- Government and regulatory sources. Examples are the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, state licensing boards, and national regulators.
- Named third-party data, with a clearly stated methodology.
Forums, competitor articles, and unattributed figures are never used as a source for facts. They can tell us what people are asking, but not what’s true.
2. Every figure is logged and dated
Before a guide is written, we build a verification log. It records every cost, exam detail, pass mark, and renewal requirement, along with:
- the source
- the source tier
- the date we checked it
Prices and exam formats change, so the date matters.
3. Conflicts are shown, not hidden
When two official sources disagree, we don’t silently choose one. For example, a handbook might say one thing while a fee page says another. We present both, note the conflict, and tell you which source to confirm with before you pay.
4. Salary data rules
We do not publish salary ranges without attribution. Every salary figure names its source and the period it covers. Some credentials have no dedicated government occupational category. In those cases, we say so and use the closest relevant occupation, labeled as such.
5. We correct the record
Part of our research is checking what other top-ranking pages say. When widely repeated information is outdated or wrong, we state the current, verified fact and its source.
6. Updates
We review guides when a certifying body announces changes. We also review them on a regular schedule, so a guide doesn’t go stale just because no announcement was made. Each guide shows its last-updated date. When a fact changes, we update every page on the site that uses it, not only the page where we spotted the change.
7. Independence
Certcalendar is not affiliated with any certifying body or training provider. We do not use affiliate links. We do not accept payment, free courses, or free exam vouchers in exchange for coverage. Advertising is served by Google AdSense, and advertisers do not influence content.
8. Use of AI tools
We may use software tools, including AI, to help with research organization and drafting. Every fact is checked against its source by a person before publication, and the site’s editor is responsible for everything published.
9. Always confirm before you pay
Certification fees, exam formats and requirements can change without notice. Before registering, paying, or making a career decision, confirm the details directly with the certifying body.
Spotted something wrong? See our Corrections Policy.