About emerit > FAQs

FAQs

If you are looking for quick access to the most essential information about emerit certification and training programs, this page will give you the answers you seek. It provides answers to more than 50 frequently asked questions that explain important details regarding the certification process, exams requirements, appeals regulations, etc. Review this page carefully, and if you do not find an answer to your question, please call 1.800.486.9158 to speak with a live representative.

1. What is emerit certification?
2. What are the steps to become emerit certified?
3. What are the benefits of certification?
4. How long does it usually take to complete occupational certification?
5. How is emerit certification different from other certification programs available to the Canadian tourism sector?
6. If I am no longer employed with a company, can I complete my certification?
7. Do I receive an ID card, certificate, etc. to indicate that I have been certified?
8. Will employers recognize this credential?
9. If I have graduated from a hospitality program, does that mean I’m already certified?
10. Do I ever need to re-certify?
11. Do employers pay for employees to go through certification?
12. Do volunteer hours count towards my required experience?
13. Can I register for certification if I do not have the total number of hours yet, but will accumulate them while going through the first steps?
14. Is there any follow-up after I’m certified?
15. How can an employer verify whether a potential employee is certified?
16. Once I’m certified, can I use letters or initials behind my name?
17. How many people become emerit professionally certified?

emerit Certification for Professionals outside of Canada

18. What is the process for candidates who have registered with emerit and may have completed a portion of the certification in one province and have to move to another province before completing their certification?
19. I live outside Canada. Can I still become certified?
20. Whom do I contact if I have more questions regarding certification?

emerit Certification Exams

21. What types of questions will I be asked on an exam?
22. What do I need to study before I write the exam or request the performance evaluation?
23. Do I have to know how to perform everything in the standards even if I do not do them in my job?
24. How do I book my certification exam?
25. Do I have to write the exam first or can I be evaluated first?
26. How much time do I get to write the exam?
27. What is the exam passing mark?
28. What if I do not pass?
29. What happens if I miss the exam?
30. Are tests ever updated?

Performance Evaluation and Employee Training

31. Will training guarantee me a job?
32. Can I expect a promotion or salary increase upon completing certification or emerit training?
33. What is a checklist?
34. What is a performance evaluation?
35. Can I be re-evaluated?
36. Where can I find out more information regarding performance evaluations?
37. Can I train my employees myself?
38. Will I know how my employees do on tests and evaluations?
39. Some of the material covered by emerit does not relate to my workplace; do my employees have to learn this information?
40. Is there a timeframe for employees to complete the training?

About emerit

41. What is the case study like (i.e. what should I expect)?
42. What is the difference between a workbook and the National Occupational Standards?
43. Is emerit a self-study program or in-class learning?
44. How is this different from college or university programs?
45. Do universities recognize this program?
46. What are the benefits of on-line learning versus other training options?
47. How do businesses benefit from individual certified through emerit?
48. What are the costs of training/certification?
49. How do I access my on-line profile?
50. How are emerit resources developed?
51. How can I find out more about emerit on-line training?
52. How can I purchase emerit training resources?

What is emerit certification?

Professional certification in the tourism industry recognizes an individual’s ability to meet or exceed the national standard of knowledge, skills and attitude. emerit certification is available for over 28 occupations and increases your marketability in your profession.

There are three professional designations you can achieve:

• Tourism Certified Professional (TCP) – available for frontline employees
• Tourism Certified Supervisor (TCS) – available for supervisors
• Tourism Certified Manager (TCM) – available for managers

What are the steps to become emerit certified?

emerit certification is based on the national occupational standards and is designed for self-study.

To become certified, individuals must:

• Pass a knowledge exam
• Pass a practical evaluation of performance
• Have the required hours of relevant and current experience

To learn more about the steps to become certified or what qualifies as relevant experience, please contact us at 1.800.486.9158.

What are the benefits of certification?

The benefits of professional certification provide employees with:

• Professional recognition in their chosen occupation
• Advancement within the tourism industry
• Direction in their career paths
• Individual pride, self-improvement and job satisfaction

How long does it usually take to complete occupational certification?

On average, a person completes the certification process anywhere from six months to one year after registration. There is no time limit to complete your certification. You can finish your certification on your own schedule, provided you keep your local certifying organization aware of your continued dedication.

How is emerit certification different from other certification programs available to the Canadian tourism sector?

emerit certification is made specifically for Canada and focuses on assessing not only a person’s combined knowledge and skills, but their ability to demonstrate these assets in the workplace or in other relevant contexts.

On-the-job performance evaluations ensure that those who earn the emerit credential have the theoretical knowledge to excel at a high level and have the practical knowledge employers look for in their employees. Other assessment systems solely focus on measuring knowledge, not its application to the workplace.

If I am no longer employed with a company, can I complete my certification?

You can contact the Tourism Human Resource Organization in your province for information on how you can complete your certification. Call us at 1.800.486.9158.

Do I receive an ID card, certificate, etc. to indicate that I have been certified?

People certified through emerit receive a certificate and a lapel pin, which provide individuals with the right to use emerit’s trade-marked designations on business cards and other forms of correspondence and identification. emerit also maintains a database of all emerit training and certification you have received, which can be accessed for your own tracking purposes, or, if you wish, as a source for potential employers wanting to track your professional development.

Will employers recognize this credential?

emerit professional certification is recognized nationally. The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council and its Provincial and Territorial partners are working together to help increase the value of professional certification to employers across Canada. To date, more than 10,000 people have been certified nationally.

If I have graduated from a hospitality program, does that mean I’m already certified?

Graduating from a hospitality program provides an excellent foundation to begin certification, but does NOT make you certified. Occupational certification is a formal recognition of a competency in a given occupation.

Do I ever need to re-certify?

You are encouraged to update your certification should there be changes to the standards or certification as recent credentials are more marketable; however, re-certification is NOT required.

Do employers pay for employees to go through certification?

This would depend on the employer and the availability of professional development or training dollars.

Do volunteer hours count towards my required experience?

Yes, volunteer hours can count towards your required experience as long as it qualifies and relates to the skills as defined in the National Occupational Standards.

Can I register for certification if I do not have the total number of hours yet, but will accumulate them while going through the first steps?

Yes! You can register for certification without having all of the required hours. However, you will need to have all required hours prior to completing the Performance Evaluation portion of the certification program.

Is there any follow-up after I’m certified?

Yes, you may be considered for the role of an evaluator in your occupation and/or may be asked to participate in the development of national program materials for standards, training or certification.

How can an employer verify whether a potential employee is certified?

By contacting the Tourism Human Resource Organization in the individual’s province, certification credentials can be verified. Call us at 1.800.486.9158.

Once I’m certified, can I use letters or initials behind my name?

The initials TCP (Tourism Certified Professional) can be used behind your name if you have been certified in a frontline occupation, where no direct supervision of other employees is involved.

You may use the initials TCS (Tourism Certified Supervisor) if you have been certified in a supervisory level occupation, such as Tourism Supervisor.

The initials TCM (Tourism Certified Manager) may be used if you have been certified at a managerial level, such as Food and Beverage Manager.

How many people become emerit professionally certified?

On average, we distribute more than 11,000 training resources per year and over 10,000 people have received emerit Professional Certification since its inception.

What is the process for candidates who have registered with emerit and may have completed a portion of the certification in one province and have to move to another province before completing their certification?

This is handled on a case-by-case basis. Please call 1.800.486.9158 to find out more.

I live outside Canada. Can I still become certified?

There are several options in regards to emerit certification outside of Canada. Please contact us at 1.800.486.9158 to learn about these options.

Whom do I contact if I have more questions regarding certification?

Our experts can help to answer any additional questions you may have. Call us today at 1.800.486.9158.

What types of questions will I be asked on an exam?

Exams are based on occupational standards in a multiple-choice format and may be written in either English or French (some exceptions apply). Exams may be written on-line, scheduled at your convenience or in a pencil-and-paper format at a scheduled writing session.

Each test question contains four choices with only one correct answer. Here is an example of a test question:

What is the most effective way to plan a workday?

• Prioritize duties to meet goals.
• Build a schedule around personal strengths.
• Determine the schedule of co-workers.
• Make customer satisfaction a priority.

What do I need to study before I write the exam or request the performance evaluation?

National Occupational Standards are a core source of information that can help you study and prepare. Optional study/training material is also available for many of the emerit certification programs. To find out more, please call 1.800.486.9158

Do I have to know how to perform everything in the standards even if I do not do them in my job?

Yes, occupational certification recognizes employees for having a broad range of knowledge and skills in a particular occupation. Your workplace policies may be different from the industry standards, but the candidate is still required to know and be able to perform the skills as outlined in the standards in order to complete certification and be recognized nationally.

How do I book my certification exam?

To book an exam date, contact your local certifying organization at 1.800.486.9158. Note that before you write the exam, you will need to present a piece of photo identification.

Do I have to write the exam first or can I be evaluated first?

The exam may be completed before or after the performance evaluation, though it is recommended that the exam is written first.

How much time do I get to write the exam?

On average, candidates take between 2 to 3 hours to write the exam, but ample time will be provided.

What is the exam passing mark?

Exams are reviewed and built by an expert industry committee. A random group of questions is assembled, providing each exam with a mix of questions and a unique passing score, typically ranging between 70% and 85%.

What if I do not pass?

You may re-write the exam as often as needed. A re-write fee may apply. Candidates also have the right to appeal exam scores. In these cases, the appeal must be filed in writing within 30 days after receiving the results.

What happens if I miss the exam?

Contact your local certifying organization as soon as possible to reschedule the exam. An administration fee may apply.

Are tests ever updated?

Yes, they are periodically updated to reflect changing industry trends and occupational standards.

Will training guarantee me a job?

Having received emerit training or even becoming a certified professional cannot guarantee you a job. Training and certification prepare you with the skills and knowledge you’ll require to excel in your position.

Can I expect a promotion or salary increase upon completing certification or emerit training?

Certified professionals are provided with greater opportunities over non-certified employees in most businesses. Many employers reward certified professionals by providing higher wages; however, this is purely at the discretion of the employer.

What is a checklist?

The checklist is a review based on the occupational standards that define the skills necessary to perform the job competently. A supervisor will also complete a checklist (also referred to as Performance Review) to confirm that all standards are met.

What is a performance evaluation?

The performance evaluation is conducted by trained evaluators and tests your on-the-job skills determined by the occupational standards. Depending upon the occupation, it will be in one or more of the following forms:

• On-the-job observation (which may be incognito)
• Structured interview
• Case study, or
• Portfolio

Can I be re-evaluated?

Yes, you can be re-evaluated as often as needed. A re-evaluation fee may apply. Please contact your local certifying organization for details.

Where can I find out more information regarding performance evaluations?

Our experts can help to answer any additional questions you may have. Call us today at 1.800.486.9158.

Can I train my employees myself?

Yes! emerit offers a wide range of “Train the Trainer’s Guides” to help you train your employees and are available for purchase at the emerit online store.

Will I know how my employees do on tests and evaluations?

Employee results can be accessed only through their personal profiles in the LMS. The exam results consist of a pass or fail indication, as well as the total score on the exam, broken down by the major skill categories. The employer can be informed of a pass/fail result with written consent from the employee.

Some of the material covered by emerit does not relate to my workplace; do my employees have to learn this information?

You can buy on-line modules separately so your employees don’t have to go through the whole course if it does not apply to your needs at this particular time. However, in the case of certification products, an employee has to master the occupational standards and go through the full 3 phrase certification process to be successful.

Is there a timeframe for employees to complete the training?

Because training is not necessarily tied to certification, there is no deadline for completion. The only exception to this would be on-line learning, which is available to the learner for a period of 365 days.

What is the case study like (i.e. what should I expect)?

There are several forms of Performance Evaluations, including observations, job simulations, incognito assessments, portfolios, structured interviews and case studies.

A case study is an optional component for the Performance Evaluation for certain occupations. You are given a situation with relevant information and are asked to answer questions by addressing the different issues based on the National Occupation Standards. Other case studies may involve creating a training program specific to your occupation and the National Occupational Standards.

What is the difference between a workbook and the National Occupational Standards?

A workbook is a self-study guide to help people prepare for certification. It contains exercises, checklists and self-tests based on the standards for an occupation. Each module in the workbook contains a pre-check at the beginning to help you determine how familiar you are with the topics, a review and a self-examination at the end to help you determine if you have acquired the knowledge and mastered the skills. There is a short exam at the end of the workbook to test your entire knowledge.

The National Occupational Standards are manuals that describe the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to be considered competent in an occupation. The standards are set by the industry and are the basis for professional certification across Canada. The standards are also used for curriculum development in tourism-based courses offered by post-secondary institutions, private schools and trainers across the country.

Is emerit a self-study program or in class learning?

emerit training is designed as self-directed learning that enables individuals to control their study pace. However, emerit training can be used to augment classroom instruction and works well in continuing education courses or as part of a workplace practicum.

How is this different from college or university programs?

Individuals in college or university programs complete a curriculum that covers specific knowledge and are recognized for the completion of their program. Accreditation does NOT acknowledge an individual’s competence in their occupation.

Certification, on the other hand, represents an industry-led form of recognition that is based upon a pan-Canadian standard of practice. Certification recognizes on-the-job analysis and the application of knowledge in the work setting.

emerit training helps prepare individuals for work through skill and knowledge mastery. The training goes beyond theory, with a focus on learning and applying skills in a real work context. These practical tools ensure that emerit Certified Professionals have the knowledge, skills and attitudes to excel in their profession.

Do universities recognize this program?

There is currently a pilot study taking place with a number of post-secondary institutions looking at declaring equivalency between the credentials given by institutions and emerit Professional Certification. Be sure to visit our website for more updates on this!

What are the benefits of on-line learning versus other training options?

emerit on-line learning provides an environment rich with interactive content to support your skill development, including:

• Video, voice-overs and graphics that create a fun and engaging learning experience
• Practice activities, quizzes and information on the National Occupational Standard
• Part of what discourages people from wanting to learn can be the way the content is conveyed. Good e-learning allows learners to immerse themselves in what they need to know and to bypass what they already know, keeping them motivated and the learning process efficient
• Savings on instructor fees, facility, material, production, and travel costs
• On-line training can also positively affect a company’s bottom line by enabling employees to quickly and efficiently receive the training they need to increase productivity and better serve clients.

How do businesses benefit from individual certified through emerit?

Strong organizational HR practices are driving business decisions for employers. Well-trained employees create satisfied customers, who in turn provide repeat business and referrals. Employees that receive emerit training are beneficial to business growth and can provide your organization with a competitive edge!

What are the costs of training/certification?

The costs involved in training/certification depend on the province the learner resides in, the training materials purchased, the occupation and whether the training is intended for frontline, supervisory or management staff, etc. For more information on pricing, visit our online store.

How do I access my on-line profile?

Profile users may access their online profile as follows:

• On the left-hand panel, click on “Login/Learn Now”
• Select “Login” from the toolbar at the top of the page
• Enter your username and password to access your profile

How are emerit resources developed?

The CTHRC brings together industry leaders from across Canada to assist in the development of all emerit training/learning resources. All training materials (workbooks, on-line learning, etc.) are based on the National Occupational Standards developed by industry representatives in collaboration with training design experts. emerit materials are continually evaluated to ensure that content is relevant, up-to-date and reflects the existing occupational profile. In general, each National Occupational Standard and accompanying training is updated every five to seven years.

How can I find out more about emerit on-line training?

emerit on-line learning provides flexible, convenient and cost-effective training! Find out more by visiting our On-line Learning page or trying our easy On-line Training Demo.

How can I purchase emerit training resources?

Purchasing emerit products is easy! Simply click on "Buy Now"on the link located on each product page of the emerit website. Next, choose your respective province/territory to continue to the storefront where you can browse and view product offerings. Add items to your shopping cart and when finished, continue through the payment gateway.