National Organization Overviews

Program Accreditation & Technical Skills Certification

This site presents overviews of national and Maine statewide organizations that provide program accreditation, technical skills certification, skill standards, student assessment, or related curricula materials for secondary technical education programs. It provides administrators, instructors, MDOE CTE staff, and other participating partners with basic information concerning these organizations' programs and services.

Each overview was developed from data collected from the websites of these organizations. They are not intended to be a comprehensive review on all aspects of the major topics presented. Specific organizational website sub-links are provided for access to more detailed information.

Program areas are listed below alphabetically in the first column. The second column provides direct links to the applicable organizational overviews (PDF document). There are certain organizations that provide services for multiple program areas. For example, the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF/ASE) overview is applicable for Automotive Technology, Automotive Collision Repair, and Heavy Equipment Technology programs.

Program Areas		National and Maine Organizations
1.	Automotive Technology	National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF/ASE)
2.	Auto Collision Repair	A. I-CAR B. National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF/ASE) C. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
3.	Building Construction/Carpentry	A. National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) B. National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER)
4.	Business Studies	A. Microsoft Corporation B. National Business Education Association
5.	Computer Technology	CompTIA, Cisco Systems, Microsoft, Help Desk Institute
6.	Cooperative Education	National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
7.	Culinary Arts/Hospitality	A. American Culinary Federation (ACF) B. National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)
8.	Diversified Occupations	National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
9.	Drafting Technology	A. American Design Drafting Association B. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
10.	Early Childhood Education	A. Council For Professional Recognition B. National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
11.	Electrical Technology	A. National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) B. National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
12.	Health Science Careers	National Consortium on Health Science and Technology Education (NCHSTE)
13.	Heavy Equipment Technology	National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF/ASE)
14.	Horticulture	National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
15.	Law Enforcement	National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)
16.	Marine Trades	A. American Boat Builders & Repairers' Association B. American Boat & Yacht Council C. Westlawn Institute of Marine Technology
17.	Marketing/Retailing	A. Marketing Education Resource Center (MarkED) B. National Retail Federation Foundation (NRFF)
18.	Machine Tool Technology	National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS)
19.	Welding Technology	American Welding Society (AWS)
20.	*Multiple Programs	National Occupational Competency Testing Institute (NOCTI)

*Note: NOCTI provides over 170 standardized technical assessments in a variety of occupational fields.

It is important to note that organizations do not always provide all of the most current data available on their websites. Direct contact with the appropriate organization's staff members is necessary to ensure that the most current and comprehensive information has been obtained. The date an overview was developed is provided in the document's footer.

Users are welcome to contact the Center for Career Development at 767-5210 x4118 if they become aware of new or updated information regarding any of the topics presented in these overviews.

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Center for Career Development
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