Frequently Asked Questions

What is CareCorePlus?

CareCorePlus is a national credentialing body that certifies training programs for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professionals (QIDPs), assisted living staff, and adult day program staff. We provide the CareCore+ Certified™ designation to programs that meet our comprehensive quality standards.

How does CareCorePlus differ from other certification bodies?

CareCorePlus stands apart from traditional certification bodies in several key ways:

• •Comprehensive scope: We certify the full spectrum of care roles (DSPs, QIDPs, assisted living, adult day) under one certification framework
• •Technology-enhanced evaluation: Our proprietary technology enables faster, more consistent assessment
• •Speed: 4-week certification timeline versus industry standard of 3-6 months
• •Affordability: Up to 80% lower cost than traditional certification models
• •Transparency: Clear, published competency standards and evaluation criteria

Is CareCorePlus a government agency?

No, CareCorePlus is an independent certification body. While our standards incorporate best practices that align with many state regulations, we are not a government agency. Our certification complements, rather than replaces, state-mandated requirements. Organizations remain responsible for ensuring their training programs comply with the specific regulations in their states of operation.

How long does the certification process take?

Our standard certification process takes 4 weeks from submission of materials to certification decision. This timeline includes our comprehensive evaluation of all training materials, technology-enhanced content analysis, expert review, and preparation of detailed feedback. This is significantly faster than the industry standard of 3-6 months. For organizations with urgent needs, we also offer an expedited 2-week process for an additional fee.

What are the steps in the certification process?

The CareCorePlus certification process follows these steps:

1. Initial Application: Complete our online application form with basic information about your organization and training program.
2. Portal Access: Receive access to our secure submission portal and detailed guidance (1-2 business days after application).
3. Material Submission: Upload your complete training program materials through the portal.
4. Fee Payment: Pay the certification fee.
5. Evaluation: Our team conducts a thorough evaluation of your materials using our technology-enhanced process.
6. Certification Decision: Receive your certification decision and detailed feedback report within 4 weeks of submission.

What are the possible certification outcomes?

Based on our evaluation, we issue one of three certification decisions:

• •
  Full Certification:

  Program meets or exceeds all required standards and demonstrates excellence in training quality. Valid for 1 year.

• •
  Conditional Certification:

  Program meets most standards but requires specific improvements in identified areas. Valid for 6 months pending remediation.

• •
  Denial with Improvement Path:

  Program does not currently meet certification standards but receives detailed guidance for improvement. Can reapply after addressing identified issues.

What happens if my program doesn't meet all standards?

If your program doesn't initially meet all certification standards, we provide detailed feedback identifying specific gaps and recommendations for improvement. You'll have the opportunity to address these gaps and resubmit your materials up to three times within 60 days at no additional cost. Our goal is to help you succeed, not to create barriers to certification. If your program requires more substantial changes, we can provide guidance on developing an improvement plan.

Who can apply for CareCorePlus certification?

Any organization that develops or delivers training programs for DSPs, QIDPs, assisted living staff, or adult day program staff can apply for certification. This includes provider organizations, training companies, educational institutions, state agencies, and associations. We certify both proprietary and open-source training programs, and organizations of all sizes are eligible.

Can we apply if our training program is still being developed?

While full certification requires a complete training program, we offer pre-certification consultations for programs still in development. Our team can review your current materials and provide guidance on meeting certification standards before formal submission. This service helps ensure your program is on the right track and can expedite the certification process once your program is complete.

What materials are required for certification?

To complete your certification application, you'll need to submit the following materials:

• •Curriculum Materials: Complete lesson plans, participant handouts, presentation materials, learning activities, etc.
• •Assessment Materials: Knowledge assessments, skill checklists, scoring guides, competency validation methods, etc.
• •Instructor Materials: Instructor guides, qualification requirements, preparation resources, etc.
• •Implementation Documents: Program delivery guidelines, training schedule, completion requirements, etc.

What standards are used to evaluate training programs?

Our certification evaluation assesses training programs across six critical dimensions:

1. Competency Coverage: Does your program cover all required competencies for the specific certification category?
2. Instructional Design Quality: Does your program employ effective pedagogical approaches and instructional design elements?
3. Assessment Methods: How does your program evaluate learner knowledge and skill acquisition?
4. Practical Application: How does your program help learners apply knowledge in real-world situations?
5. Instructor Qualifications: What qualifications, preparation, and support do you provide to trainers?
6. Program Implementation: How is your program implemented, including scheduling, delivery methods, and completion requirements?

Our complete competency frameworks and evaluation criteria are available upon request or can be accessed through our resources section after creating an account.

How much does certification cost?

Our pricing structure is straightforward and transparent:

• •Initial Certification: $1,000
• •Annual Renewal: $500
• •Additional Resubmission: $500 (only if more than 3 resubmissions needed)
• •Pre-Certification Consultation: $350 (credited toward certification if pursued within 6 months)
• •Express Evaluation: $500 surcharge (expedited 2-week process)

Are there discounts available?

Yes, we offer several discount options:

• •Multi-program discounts: 10% discount for a second program, 15% for a third program, and 20% for four or more programs submitted simultaneously
• •Non-profit discount: 15% discount for registered 501(c)(3) organizations with annual revenue under $1 million
• •Small provider discount: 10% discount for organizations with fewer than 25 employees

Multiple discounts can often be combined, with a maximum total discount of 25%.

What payment methods do you accept?

We offer several payment options:

• •Credit/debit card
• •ACH transfer
• •Check
• •Purchase order (for eligible organizations)

We also offer payment plans that allow you to split your certification fee into three equal monthly payments with no additional fees or interest.

Are there any additional or hidden fees?

No. Our pricing is fully transparent, and the fees listed are comprehensive. There are no hidden costs, application fees, processing charges, or other surprise expenses. The only additional fee that may apply is the $500 resubmission fee if you need more than the three included resubmissions, or the $500 express evaluation surcharge if you opt for expedited processing.

How do I submit materials for certification?

After completing the initial application, you'll receive access to our secure digital submission portal within 1-2 business days. This portal allows you to upload all required materials directly to our system. The portal supports a wide range of file formats and provides clear guidance on what to submit. You can save your progress and return to complete your submission later if needed.

What file formats do you accept?

Our digital submission portal accepts a wide range of file formats:

• •Documents: PDF (.pdf), Microsoft Word (.doc, .docx), Text files (.txt, .rtf)
• •Presentations: PowerPoint (.ppt, .pptx), Google Slides (export as PDF), Keynote (export as PDF)
• •E-Learning: SCORM packages (.zip), xAPI statement exports, LMS course exports
• •Videos: Links to hosted videos (YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) or compressed video files (.mp4, .mov)
• •Spreadsheets: Excel (.xls, .xlsx), CSV (.csv)

Can I submit materials in multiple formats?

Yes, our system accommodates mixed format submissions. Many organizations have training programs that combine different types of materials (e.g., PDF handouts, PowerPoint presentations, and e-learning modules). You can upload all these formats through our portal, and our technology can process and analyze mixed-format submissions.

Is there a size limit for submitted files?

Individual file uploads are limited to 500MB per file. For larger files, we recommend compressing them or splitting them into smaller components. If you have exceptionally large materials that exceed these limits, please contact our support team for alternative submission options. There is no limit on the number of files you can upload or the total size of your submission.

What are the benefits of CareCorePlus certification?

CareCorePlus certification provides numerous benefits:

• •Quality validation: Independent verification of your training program's quality and effectiveness
• •Competitive advantage: Differentiation in a crowded marketplace
• •Marketing recognition: Digital badges, certification seals, and registry listing
• •Continuous improvement: Detailed feedback and benchmarking reports
• •Regulatory alignment: Training that often meets or exceeds state requirements

What recognition materials do certified organizations receive?

Upon certification, you'll receive:

• •CareCore+ Certified™ digital badge for your website
• •Certification seal for printed materials
• •Official certification documentation with your program's specific recognition
• •Marketing templates to announce your certification
• •Registry listing in our public database of certified programs

How can we promote our certification?

We encourage certified organizations to proudly promote their achievement. You can display the CareCore+ Certified™ digital badge on your website, include the certification seal in printed materials, mention your certification in job postings, and highlight it in marketing communications. We provide marketing templates and guides to help you effectively communicate your certification to stakeholders. Many organizations announce their certification through press releases, social media posts, and newsletters. Additionally, you can link to your listing in our public registry to provide verification for interested parties.

How long is CareCorePlus certification valid?

Full certification is valid for one year from the date of issue. Conditional certification is valid for six months, with the expectation that identified improvements will be addressed during this period. After addressing the required improvements, conditional certification can be upgraded to full certification that will then be valid for one year from the upgrade date.

What is the renewal process?

The renewal process is straightforward:

1. Renewal Notification: You'll receive a renewal notification 60 days before your certification expiration date.
2. Material Updates: Submit any updates or changes to your training program through our portal.
3. Renewal Fee: Pay the annual renewal fee of $500.
4. Streamlined Review: Our team conducts a focused review of your updated materials.
5. Renewal Confirmation: Receive your renewal confirmation and updated certification materials.

What if we've made changes to our training program?

If you've made significant changes to your training program since certification, these should be submitted during the renewal process. Minor updates, such as content refreshes or small additions, typically don't require additional review beyond the standard renewal process. However, substantial changes—such as completely redesigned modules, major content overhauls, or new delivery methods—may require a more comprehensive review. In these cases, we'll work with you to determine the appropriate level of evaluation needed. There's no additional fee for reviewing program changes during regular renewal.

What happens if we miss the renewal deadline?

If you miss your renewal deadline, your certification will expire, and your program will be removed from the active registry. However, we offer a 30-day grace period during which you can still complete the renewal process without penalty. After this grace period, you may need to pay a late renewal fee of $100 in addition to the standard renewal fee. If your certification has been expired for more than 90 days, you may need to go through the full certification process again.

How does your technology enhance the certification process?

Our proprietary CoreMap™ technology platform revolutionizes the certification process through several key capabilities: Intelligent Content Analysis that automatically extracts key concepts from training materials; AI-Powered Competency Mapping that matches content against standardized frameworks; Gap Detection Algorithm that identifies missing competencies with detailed specificity; Automated Reporting that generates comprehensive, actionable reports; and a Continuous Improvement Engine that learns from each review. This technology enables our 4-week timeline (versus industry standard 3-6 months) while maintaining rigorous quality standards.

Does your technology replace human review?

No, our technology enhances but doesn't replace human expertise. We employ a balanced approach that combines the best of both worlds. Our CoreMap™ platform handles the labor-intensive aspects of certification review—processing large volumes of materials, mapping content to competencies, and identifying patterns—while our human experts provide critical context, validation, and nuanced evaluation. This hybrid approach delivers speed without sacrificing quality, precision with context, and efficiency with expert insight.

Is our training content secure in your system?

Absolutely. We take data security and intellectual property protection extremely seriously. All submitted materials are stored in our secure, encrypted platform with access limited to only those team members directly involved in your certification evaluation. We do not share, distribute, or repurpose your content without explicit permission. Our technology analysis occurs within our secure environment, and your materials are never shared with third parties. Additionally, all reviewers sign confidentiality agreements, and we can provide a non-disclosure agreement upon request.