Credentialing in 2026 and Beyond: Navigating Modernization, Globalization, and Legalization
The credentialing landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by technological advancement, geopolitical shifts, and changing workforce dynamics. In a recent webinar hosted by Element AMS, three industry experts explored the critical considerations for associations looking to modernize and globalize their certification programs.
Expert Panel
- Sean Miriashtiani, Sales Executive at Element AMS
- Sheetal Tiwari, ICE-CCP, Founder of Global Certification Partners
- Mark Franco, JD, ICE-CCP, Partner at Rimon Law
Key Trends Shaping Global Credentialing
The Post-Pandemic Evolution
According to Sheetal Tiwari, the uncertainty that began during the pandemic hasn’t disappeared—it has simply evolved. “The credentialing organizations were already responding to shifts towards skill-based hiring, the emergence of micro-credentials, and digital transformations in assessments. But what the pandemic did was catalyze and accelerate those trends,” she explained.
Geopolitics as a Driving Force
One of the biggest macro-level forces shaping credentialing globally is geopolitics. Changes in labor mobility, immigration policies, and national workforce strategies are influencing how credentials are recognized and valued across different economies.
“Credentialing is part of a larger ecosystem,” Tiwari noted. “When we see major universities and education providers expanding into regions like India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, education is becoming portable—so credentialing cannot remain static.”
The AI Revolution
Artificial intelligence is transforming every aspect of credentialing, from item writing to proctoring. However, both opportunities and challenges accompany this shift.
“One of the key challenges I foresee is how we can effectively validate skills in an AI-augmented workforce,” Tiwari said. “It’s no longer a question of AI versus human. Instead, we’re moving towards a workforce where AI is embedded into almost every profession.”
Remote Proctoring and Exam Security Challenges
The pandemic brought widespread adoption of remote proctoring, but Mark Franco cautioned that significant security challenges have emerged.
“I’m really seeing a lot of challenges with respect to exam security in that delivery model,” Franco explained. “There’s a lot of folks outside of the U.S. that are trying to take advantage in bad ways—whether through proxy testing, harvesting exam content, or using other assistance to pass exams.”
The AI Proctoring Debate
The conversation has evolved from “remote proctoring versus testing centers” to “AI-enabled proctoring versus testing centers,” according to Tiwari. While AI has addressed some security challenges, transparency and data privacy concerns remain critical.
“The biggest issue right now is transparency in understanding how systems are actually using AI,” she said. “Organizations need clarity on whether AI is just flagging suspicious events for human review or making automated decisions during exams.”
Key questions organizations must address include:
- Who owns candidate data?
- How long is data stored?
- Are vendors using candidate data to build their own AI algorithms?
- What happens when testing minors or candidates across different jurisdictions with varying privacy laws?
Legal Considerations for Global Expansion
AI and Accountability
Franco shared a compelling perspective on AI use: “One quote I saw on LinkedIn that makes a lot of sense is, you should never use AI for any decision-making where you expect accountability.”
He emphasized that organizations must understand:
- The limits and capabilities of AI tools they’re using
- How their use complies with privacy policies
- That courts have already ruled AI-generated content isn’t subject to ownership claims
Data Privacy Compliance
When GDPR emerged, platforms struggled to configure themselves for compliance. While many have adjusted, Franco warned that the U.S. is moving toward more comprehensive data privacy governance, with more states coming online—and nonprofits won’t always be exempt.
“When you’re picking a partner—a vendor partner or any other partner—you really need to assess their nimbleness to adapt to situations as they come up,” he advised.
Building a Global Credentialing Business Plan
Start with Readiness Assessment
Tiwari emphasized the importance of a thorough readiness assessment before expanding globally. “First, do no harm to your program where you are currently running,” she cautioned.
Critical questions to answer include:
- Why are you going global? Are you receiving increased interest from candidates in other jurisdictions?
- Do you have the resources and bandwidth? This is a significant leap requiring dedicated support.
- Which regions should you target? Start small—perhaps one certification in one country.
Understand the Regional Value Proposition
The value proposition that works in your home region may be completely different in your target market.
“In some regions, certifications might be useful for mobility—where people can take your credential and use it as a differentiator to move to another country,” Tiwari explained, citing NCLEX as an example in nursing.
She stressed the importance of understanding:
- Whether the target region even understands certification value
- How certification benefits career growth in that market
- What stakeholders exist in the ecosystem
- Whether you’re ready to build the entire ecosystem around your certification
Cultural and Practical Realities
Franco emphasized understanding the practical realities of operating in a new region beyond just regulatory environment and community needs.
“If you had an exam breach, how easy would it be to enforce court proceedings or lawsuits against perpetrators?” he asked. “Is the system easy to navigate? What are the timeframes? Are the laws favorable?”
He also highlighted cultural differences: “Do people in the community appreciate exam security and integrity? Or are they in a culture where they think it’s more important to get people working?”
The Role of Technology in Scaling Certifications
Technology as an Enabler
Tiwari drew from a fundamental principle: “When you free yourself from daily operational tasks, you get the bandwidth to pursue higher purposes for your organization.”
Technology that automates day-to-day processes and streamlines procedures gives organizations the energy to focus on expansion, growth, and creating awareness about how certification supports their mission.
Critical technology considerations when going global include:
- Different fee structures by region
- Varying eligibility criteria for different populations
- Automated workflows and checkpoints
- CRM integrations
- Time zone management
- Multi-currency support
Choosing the Right Technology Partner
Franco noted that when he started working with credentialing bodies in 2003, there weren’t many vendors focused on platforms designed specifically for certification organizations. While the market has matured, nimbleness remains critical.
“When GDPR came out, platforms really struggled to figure out how they would configure themselves to comply with requirements,” he recalled.
He advised organizations to assess not just the sales pitch but the practical realities of working with a vendor long-term: “It’s always different between talking to folks trying to get you in the door and talking to folks that will work with you after you’re there.”
Warning sign: “There are too many vendors that never reach out to their clients,” Franco stated bluntly.
Demonstrating Value and Overcoming Barriers
Certification as Barrier vs. Opportunity
In some cultures, certification is viewed as a barrier to employment rather than a career enhancer. Franco suggested reframing the question: “Instead of asking ‘how can we take our program and drop it into another place,’ ask ‘what are the ways we can take advantage of opportunities in another space?'”
This might mean offering something other than a full certification—perhaps another type of competency validation that meets the workforce needs of that region.
The Psychometrics Privilege
Tiwari made a powerful point about psychometrics itself: “The science of measurement is a privilege and luxury of high-income countries. In low- and middle-income countries, assessments often don’t meet psychometric reliability and validity standards.”
If an organization can bring differentiation through quality skill assessment to underserved regions, that represents genuine value addition.
Ensuring Long-Term Success
Franco stressed that organizations must regularly review policies to ensure they’re not creating unnecessary work.
“On a regular basis, I work with organizations whose policies actually create more work for them,” he said. “There are ways to make policy that meets the law, meets accreditation standards, and makes it possible to do things in a very efficient and effective way.”
Even sophisticated organizations can find ways to improve from a policy perspective.
Flexibility and Agility
Both experts emphasized the importance of agility when scaling globally. Tiwari recommended being “80% ready” with your business plan, recognizing that the remaining 20% comes from on-the-ground experience and relationship building.
“Having that agility to adapt to things as they come becomes really important when you are scaling your program,” she said.
The Partnership Approach
Success requires genuine partnerships—with technology vendors, testing providers, local stakeholders, and legal counsel.
“It becomes crucial for that relationship,” Tiwari emphasized, “especially if you’re running a volunteer-based certification. Your platform is what your candidates experience when doing their application and recertification.”
Poor user experience can lead candidates to simply stop recertifying, making ease of use critical for retention.
The Sustainability Imperative
Tiwari noted a significant shift in organizational thinking: “For years, there was this understanding where you could be in a status quo, do business as usual, and still sustain. But with current dynamics—baby boomers retiring, falling recertification rates—sustainability is at issue.”
Organizations are recognizing they cannot depend on a single region to sustain their business. Exploring other markets has become a sustainability issue, not just a growth opportunity.
Key Takeaways for Associations
Conduct thorough readiness assessments before expanding globally—understand your “why” and ensure you won’t harm existing programs
Understand regional value propositions—what works in your home market may not translate elsewhere
Invest in local relationships—boots on the ground with attorneys, stakeholders, and partners are essential
Choose nimble technology partners who proactively communicate and can adapt to regulatory changes
Balance security and accessibility in exam delivery—AI proctoring, remote proctoring, and testing centers each have roles depending on program, profession, and region
Review policies regularly to ensure they enable rather than hinder operations
Think beyond direct program replication—consider what competency validation the target market actually needs
Prepare for the AI-augmented workforce—validation methods must evolve as AI becomes embedded in every profession
Prioritize transparency in AI use, data privacy, and candidate experience
Adopt a partnership mindset with all vendors and stakeholders for mutual success
Conclusion
As credentialing programs navigate the complexities of modernization, globalization, and legalization in 2026 and beyond, success requires thoughtful strategy, strong partnerships, and organizational agility. The landscape is challenging but filled with opportunity for associations willing to adapt, invest in the right relationships and technology, and genuinely understand the markets they serve.
The experts agree: there are no absolute barriers to going global—but it must be done thoughtfully, deliberately, and with a commitment to adding real value in every market you enter.
About Element AMS
Element AMS provides modern association management software designed to help credentialing organizations scale efficiently while maintaining security, compliance, and exceptional candidate experience. Learn more about how Element AMS can support your global credentialing strategy.
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