In 2019, Editors Canada will be offering one professional certification exam (Copy Editing) instead of the usual two. Here’s why.
We’re proud of the program’s history.
It’s hard to believe that the Editors Canada professional certification program began 13 years ago. During that time, we’ve awarded 272 designations to 123 editors, including 33 Certified Professional Editors. This highly successful program promotes and maintains professional standards of excellence, helps editors develop professionally, and enhances the status of editing as a profession.
We’re refreshing the program to make it even better.
Running a program of this magnitude requires a great deal of resources. We rely heavily on our incredible volunteers and staff to create, pilot, administer, and mark the exams. We haven’t changed much about the way the program runs, but we know there are efficiencies to be had. We’ve decided that it’s time to take a step back, to find more agile ways to operate, tweaking the program to make it less resource- and cost-intensive.
Rethinking and strategizing will take time and effort. The certification steering committee (CSC) is a small, but dedicated group. We are committed to upholding excellence in the exam process, but we can’t devote the time we need to refresh our procedures while also offering two certification exams. That said, we also know how important it is for editors to continue their professional development through certification.
So, after much discussion across the CSC and the national executive council (NEC), we’ve decided to offer just the Copy Editing exam in 2019, instead of the usual two exams. This means we will not be offering Stylistic Editing this year.
The CSC will spend the time gained by offering only one exam to brainstorm and plan for the future, including looking at best practices from other organizations and new technology.
Registration for the 2019 Copy Editing exam will open in the summer. The exam will be offered on Saturday, November 16, remotely and in locations across Canada.
Stay tuned for news on when the other certification exams (Stylistic Editing, Proofreading and Structural Editing) will be offered again.
This is a new beginning.
We want to reassure you that the certification program will continue and be better than ever after this refresh. The CSC and the NEC strongly believe in the strength and value of Editors Canada professional certification. Offering one exam instead of two in 2019 is a necessary step to make things better for the future.
Have ideas? We’d love your help.
If you believe in the program as much as we do, and you want to help us make it even better, why not consider joining us? The CSC welcomes volunteers during this exciting phase of the certification program’s life! You don’t need to be certified. We just ask that you not take any exams while you’re serving on the committee, and you wait through another full administration of any exam after your tenure is up before taking it yourself.
Want to join us? Have questions or concerns? Get in touch at certification@editors.ca.