Certification standards
Each of the certification examinations are developed, administered, and analyzed using industry standards and state-of-the-art methodologies.
Exam development
The examinations are developed by a team of subject-matter experts who work daily in the specialty. In addition to generating and updating content specifications on which the examinations are based, the team writes test questions and reviews questions submitted from instructors, experts, practitioners, and other individuals within the respective field. The team determines certification requirements and addresses standard-setting issues related to the specific credential.
Secure delivery of exams
Philips recognizes that the validity of the testing is dependent upon sound development and administrative foundation. A fundamental aspect of psychometric integrity is standardization of examination administration that ensures exam security. Policies, procedures, and systems are in place to address this important aspect of examination delivery.
All exams are administered in a remote, proctored environment using digital video recording, secure internet connections, screen captures, and control over what applications are running on a local computer while taking the examination.
Standards of practice
Our goal is to promote and maintain a high standard of excellence for healthcare professionals and support their roles. Those certified by Philips are expected to follow a specific code of conduct.
Examination standard setting
The development of performance standards represents a commitment to excellence. Philips maintains this commitment by establishing a standard of examination performance (Pass/Fail) which was developed by a small group of experts in the modality and products. Each examination question is reviewed by a very experienced and knowledgeable group to establish a fair and reasonable examination.
Philips does not report examination scores but rather only pass or fail results. The recommended minimum passing level is set and reviewed periodically and may be adjusted at any time. A statistical procedure ensures that the performance required to pass each test form is equivalent to that needed to pass other test forms; this process also places scores from different forms on a common scale.
Candidates' exam results are determined by the number of items answered correctly for the exam in its entirety. There are no minimum requirements for particular sections or topics within an exam. Candidates' are penalized for incorrect or blank answers.
Scores are not reported. The program only reports mastery of the content and not failure.