Certification Network Group

What Certification Network Group does

Certification Network Group (CNG) is a volunteer-driven, membership-based non-profit organization founded in 1985 as a grassroots community to connect credentialing professionals. Headquartered in Arlington, Virginia with a 6-person operational team, CNG runs free networking and professional development programming for individual credentialing practitioners, credentialing-issuing organizations, and industry service providers. Its core offering is a calendar of in-person meetings in the Chicago and Washington D.C. metro areas, supplemented by virtual events and an archive of past presentations from 2018 onward; topics span exam development, psychometrics, maintenance of certification, accessibility, and credentialing industry trends.

CNG does not sell a software product, license technology, or charge membership dues; its stated technology footprint is limited to a Wild Apricot-powered membership portal and standard social media profiles. The business model is sponsorship-driven: credentialing vendors (testing companies, credentialing platforms, association management software providers, and consultancies) fund meeting space, speaker travel, food, communications, and administrative costs in exchange for visibility and access to CNG's audience of up to 100 credentialing professionals per meeting. Go-to-market is community-led, with member acquisition occurring through organic discovery, referrals, and partner channels rather than a sales motion.

The organization is governed by a board of directors and operates without equity funding, parent company, or subsidiaries. Its partnership stack is two-tier: core strategic alliances with Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.) and Association Forum anchor CNG within the broader credentialing and association ecosystem, while a broader ring of supporting technology and service partners (Accredible, BrightLink, Pearson VUE, Prometric, PSI Services, ExamStudio by Zoomorphix, Meazure Learning, Momentive Software, risr/, and ACMC) co-sponsors events and supplies member-facing capabilities.

Name

Certification Network Group

Legal name

Certification Network Group

Website

https://certificationnetworkgroup.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Certification Network Group is a volunteer-driven, non-profit professional community founded in 1985 that hosts free in-person events in Chicago and Washington D.C. plus virtual programming for individual credentialing professionals, credentialing organizations, and industry vendors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Association Services

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

• Professional networking
• Credentialing community
• Certification events
• Professional association
• Volunteer organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Arlington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: CNG is a volunteer-driven, membership-based organization that offers immeasurable value at no charge to members.
2. Sponsorship: Sponsors fund meeting space, speaker travel, food and refreshments, communication and marketing services, and other administrative expenses. Sponsors co-host CNG events with unique networking opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Certification Network Group (CNG) is a volunteer-driven, non-profit professional membership organization that connects credentialing professionals through free in-person events in Chicago and Washington D.C., virtual events, and online community resources. The organization offers educational programming on certification program design, exam development, psychometrics, governance, accessibility, and industry trends, funded by event sponsorships rather than member dues.

Product overview

Certification Network Group (CNG) is a volunteer-driven, membership-based professional organization for credentialing professionals, established in 1985 as a grassroots community. CNG does not offer a software product or technology platform. Instead, it provides networking events, professional development programming, and industry resources for certification and credentialing professionals. CNG facilitates in-person and virtual events across Chicago and Washington D.C., offering educational content on credentialing topics including exam development, psychometrics, maintenance of certification, accessibility, and industry trends.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• CNG Membership Free volunteer-driven membership that gives credentialing professionals access to in-person events, virtual events, networking, and educational content. Targeted at individuals working in certification and credentialing programs.
• CNG In-Person Meetings (Chicago) Quarterly in-person gatherings in the Chicago area at partner venues such as the American Planning Association, Association Forum, and Government Finance Officers Association. Designed for credentialing professionals to network and learn from peers.
• CNG In-Person Meetings (Washington D.C.) Quarterly in-person gatherings in the Washington D.C. area at partner venues such as ASIS International and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP. Targeted at credentialing professionals and organizations on the U.S. East Coast.
• CNG Virtual Events
• CNG Event Sponsorship

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 100 certification professionals attend meetings in Chicago and Washington D.C.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Institute for Credentialing Excellence (I.C.E.)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerI.C.E. is a professional membership association providing education, networking, and resources for the credentialing industry. They are a leading developer of standards for certification and certificate programs.
• Association ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation Forum serves as the hub for the association industry in Illinois, providing resources, education and networking opportunities. They serve as a connecting point for association executives and professionals.
• ACMC, LLCsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerMarketing consultancy specializing in credentialing organizations, certification programs, and exam-based products. Serves as a fractional marketing partner.
• AccrediblesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerEnables design and auto-issue verifiable digital credentials. Platform for digital credentialing solutions.
• BrightLinksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartners with credentialing organizations to build certification programs. Offers Clarus platform for credentialing lifecycle management.
• ExamStudio by Zoomorphix SystemssupportingTechnology or IntegrationEnd-to-end multilingual solution for certification and testing with 20+ years experience. Streamlines item banking and exam development.
• Meazure LearningsupportingTechnology or IntegrationProvides secure test development, administration, and delivery solutions for academic and professional credentialing programs.
• Momentive SoftwaresupportingTechnology or IntegrationAssociation management software provider with certification management product built on Microsoft Power Platform.
• Pearson VUEsupportingTechnology or IntegrationGlobal leader in computer-based testing for high-stakes certification and licensure exams. Operates network of secure test centers in 180 countries.
• PrometricsupportingTechnology or IntegrationLeading provider of testing and assessment solutions, supporting over 25 million exam hours and serving more than seven million candidates every year in over 180 countries.
• PSI ServicessupportingTechnology or IntegrationDelivers over 22 million tests annually with innovative test delivery solutions and extensive operational expertise in professional certification.
• risr/supportingTechnology or IntegrationAssessment and learning software company established in 2000 offering modular eAssessment platform for exam management, registration, and workplace assessments.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Market position

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/certification-network-group

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Certification Network Group