Two Kinds of Paper

When you finish a training program, you might receive a certificate. But there is a significant difference between two types:

Certificate of Completion — issued by the training provider. It says you attended and finished the course. Employers recognize it only as much as they recognize the training provider.

National Credential — issued by an independent certifying body (EPA, OSHA, ACT, NHA, Certiport, AHA). It is earned by passing a standardized exam. It is portable, verifiable, and recognized by employers across the country regardless of where you trained.

Why Employers Prefer National Credentials

When a hiring manager sees a national credential on a resume, they know three things immediately:

1. You passed a standardized exam — not just a class 2. The credential can be verified independently 3. The standard is the same whether you trained in Indiana or California

A certificate of completion tells them you showed up. A national credential tells them you can do the job.

What Credentials Does Elevate Issue?

Elevate is an authorized testing center for multiple national certifying bodies. Every program culminates in a credential issued by the certifying organization — not by Elevate.

CNA — Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) registry

Medical Assistant — NHA CCMA (National Healthcareer Association)

HVAC — EPA 608 Universal (Mainstream Engineering / EPA)

CDL — Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)

Barber — Indiana Professional Licensing Agency (IPLA)

IT / Technology — Certiport (IC3, MOS, CompTIA pathway)

Workplace Readiness — ACT WorkKeys / National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC)

Safety — OSHA 10/30-Hour (U.S. Department of Labor)

The WorkKeys NCRC: A Credential for Every Career

The National Career Readiness Certificate (NCRC) is issued by ACT and earned by passing three WorkKeys assessments: Applied Math, Workplace Documents, and Business Writing. It comes in four levels — Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum.

Employers across Indiana use the NCRC as a hiring benchmark. It is not program-specific — it validates foundational workplace skills that apply to any career. Elevate is an authorized WorkKeys testing site.

What to Ask Before You Enroll Anywhere

Before enrolling in any training program, ask:

Who issues the credential at the end — the school or an independent body?

Is the credential on a national registry that employers can verify?

Is the testing center authorized by the certifying organization?

At Elevate, the answer to all three is clear. View our full credential list or apply to a program.