Inside the Book

The 17024 Compliance Handbook is being continually revised. Consequently, the following page numbers may not be accurate for the current version of the book. They are intended merely to give an indication of the content covered in the 17024 Compliance Handbook.

Acknowledgements	3
Section Index	5
Introduction	17
Purpose	17
Organization	17
Certification Development Process - Overview	21
References	27
Policies and Procedures Manual	29
Management System	33
Scope	33
Location	33
Enforcement	33
Personnel Training and Documentation	33
Changes	34
Governance	35
Authority	35
Composition	36
Responsibilities	37
Officers and Recorder	38
Vacancy	38
Volunteer Agreements	39
Meetings	39
Notice	39
Meeting by Conference Call	39
Quorum and Voting	39
Electronic Action by Consent	39
Records of Meetings	39
Removal of Commission Members	40
Committees	40
Standing Committees	40
Ad Hoc Committees	40
Authority	40
Volunteer Agreements	40
Removal of Committee Members	40
Exam Development Panels	40
Purpose and Responsibilities	41
Composition	41
Appointments to a Panel	42
Officers	42
Vacancy	42
Meetings	42
Notice	42
Meeting by Conference Call	43
Quorum and Voting	43
Electronic Action by Consent	43
Records of Meetings	43
Appeals Board	43
Purpose	43
Board Composition	44
Appointments	44
Recusal	44
Vacancy	44
Meetings	44
Meeting by Conference Call	44
Quorum and Voting	44
Electronic Action by Consent	44
Records of Meetings	45
Personnel	46
Organization Chart	46
Personnel Responsibility Overview	47
Staff Job Descriptions, Evaluations	48
Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest	48
Subcontractors	49
Decision to Issue a Certificate	49
Agreements with Subcontractors	49
Subcontractor List	49
Responsibility for Conformance to ISO/IEC 17024	49
Document Control	50
Scope of Document Control	50
Master List and Controlled Document Maintenance	50
Access	50
Records Control	50
Scope of Records Control System	50
Certification Record Control Schedule	50
No Retention Required	52
Confidentiality, Privacy, Security	52
Privacy and Security of Individual Information	52
Security of Exam Instruments	53
Fairness and Non-Discrimination	53
Adherence to Principles	53
Exam Preparation	53
Authoritative References Lists	53
Preparatory Courses	53
Program Fees	54
Fee Establishment and Modification	54
Certification Schemes	54
Scheme Committees	54
Scheme Components	54
Publication of Scheme	54
Notification of Scheme Change	55
Certificant Compliance with Scheme Change	55
Review of Scheme	55
Examination Content Outline Development Process	55
Examination Content Outline Required Elements	55
Exam Development Process	56
Define Scope of the Exam	56
Conduct a Job Analysis	56
Develop a Scheme Or Blueprint	56
Develop Test Items	56
Conduct a Beta Test	56
Analyze Beta Test Data	56
Construct Equivalent Forms	56
Add Trial Items	57
Set the Passing Score for the Test,	57
Determine Scaled Score Reporting	57
Conduct Quality Assurance	57
Monitor Initial Test Performance	57
Revise Test Items	57
Exam Maintenance Process	58
Evaluate and Add To Item Pool	58
Determine Items To Retire From Exam Forms	58
Add Calibrated Items To Exam Forms	58
Construct Equivalent Forms	58
Add New Trial Items	58
Set The Passing Score For The Test,	58
Revise Scaled Score Reporting	58
Conduct Quality Assurance	59
Monitor Test Performance	59
Revise Test Questions	59
Psychometric Requirements	59
Required Elements	59
Item Calibration	60
Item Selection Criteria	60
Exam Criteria	60
Forms Equivalence	60
Exam Administration Process	61
Printed Exams	61
Performance Exams	62
Audit	63
Communication to Stakeholders	65
Identity and Test Security	65
Requests for Special Medical Accommodations	66
Appeals	66
Program Disputes and Complaints	68
Complaints Against Candidates or Certified Persons	69
Code of Professional Conduct	71
Disciplinary Action	71
Reinstatement of Certification After Voluntary Lapse	73
Results	74
Certificates	74
Use of the Certification Marks and Logos	74
CANDIDATE HANDBOOK AND APPLICATION	82
About CCompany	84
Purpose of Elite Fitness Specialist Certification	84
Statement of Non-Discrimination	84
Application Process	84
Overview	84
Application and Fees	85
Postmark Deadlines	85
Eligibility Requirements	85
Scheduling an Examination Appointment	85
Fees	86
Exam Sites	86
Special Circumstances and Fees	86
Incomplete Applications	86
Cancellation / Fee Refund	86
Extreme Circumstances / No Fee Penalty	86
The Examinations	87
Examination Formats	87
Language	87
Americans with Disabilities Act	87
Preparing for the Examinations	87
Computer-based Examination Content Outline	87
Practical Examination Content Outline	88
Authoritative References List	88
Studying for the Practical Examination	89
On the Day of the Examination	90
Test Admission Procedures	90
Practical Examination	90
Testing Center Rules	90
Dismissal	91
Inclement Weather	92
Examination Irregularities	92
Handling of Tests	92
After the Examination	92
Notification of Results	92
Results - Passing	92
Results - Failing	94
Retesting: Candidate Fails	95
Retesting: Candidate Passes	95
Appeals Policy	95
Certificants	95
Appropriate Use of the Certification	95
Request for Duplicate Certificate	96
Ongoing Requirements	96
Recertification	96
Forms	97
Application	97
Verification of Experience	102
Change of Address	103
ADA Accommodation Request	104
Index	106
EMPLOYEE HANDBOOK	107
Welcome	108
New-Hire Checklist	108
Our Workplace	109
At-Will Employment	109
Non-Discrimination	109
Sexual Harassment Policy	109
Policies in This Handbook	109
Cooperation in Investigation	109
Policies & Procedures	110
Signed Job Descriptions	110
Evaluations	110
Accommodations	110
Personnel Records	110
References	110
Termination	110
Management System Training	111
Management System Training	111
Benefits	111
Sick Leave and Vacation	111
CCompany Calendar	111
Health Insurance	112
Retirement Plan	113
Witness or Jury Duty	113
Bereavement	113
Safety Rules	113
Return to Work	114
Rules of Conduct	115
Forms	117
ADA Accommodations Request	117
Nondisclosure Agreement	121
Covenant Not To Compete	122
Emergency Contact	123
Acknowledgement of Receipt	124
Index	125
4.1.1 Fair and Equitable Criteria	127
Purpose	127
Relevant Terminology	127
Required Elements	127
4.1.2 Certification Scope	129
Purpose	129
Relevant Terminology	129
Required Elements	130
Certified Private Pilot Scope - Sample	131
Complaint Policy - Sample #1	133
Complaint Policy - Sample #2	134
4.1.3 Requirements Confined to Scope	135
Purpose	135
Relevant Terminology	135
Required Elements	135
4.2.1 Certification Body Independence	137
Purpose	137
Relevant Terminology	137
Required Elements	137
4.2.2 Organizational Structure	141
Purpose	141
Relevant Terminology	141
Required Elements	141
4.2.3 Scheme Committee	145
Purpose	145
Relevant Terminology	145
Required Elements	145
4.2.4 Financial Resources	149
Purpose	149
Relevant Terminology	149
Required Elements	149
4.2.5 Certification Independent of Training	151
Purpose	151
Relevant Terminology	151
Required Elements	152
4.2.6 Appeals and Complaints	155
Purpose	155
Relevant Terminology	155
Relevant Terminology	155
Required Elements	155
4.2.7 Competent Personnel	161
Purpose	161
Relevant Terminology	161
Required Elements	161
Satisfaction	161
4.3.1 Evaluation Methods Development and Maintenance	163
Purpose	163
Relevant Terminology	163
Required Elements	164
4.3.2 Scheme Development & Maintenance	171
Purpose	171
Relevant Terminology	171
Reference	172
Required Elements	172
4.3.3 Certification Scheme Changes	175
Purpose	175
Conflicts	175
Relevant Terminology	175
Required Elements	176
4.3.4 Criteria to Evaluate Competence	179
Purpose	179
Relevant Terminology	179
Required Elements	179
4.3.5 No Undue Restrictions or Training Requirements	182
Purpose	182
Relevant Terminology:	182
Required Elements	182
Training Policy - Sample	184
4.3.6 Fair, Valid and Reliable Tests	185
Purpose	185
Relevant Terminology	185
Required Elements	185
4.4.1 Management System	193
Purpose	193
Relevant Terminology	193
Required Elements	193
Optional Elements	193
4.4.2 Management System Training	197
Purpose	197
Relevant Terminology	197
Required Elements	197
Recommended Elements:	197
Training Log - Sample	200
4.4.3 Document Control, Internal Audit	201
Purpose	201
Relevant Terminology	201
Required Elements	202
Recommended Elements:	202
Document Control Log - Sample	204
4.5.1 Subcontracting Agreements	207
Purpose	207
Limitations	207
Required Elements	207
Purpose	211
Limitations	211
Required Elements	211
4.6.1 Records Verification System - Issues	215
Purpose	215
Required Elements	215
Scope of Records Control System	216
Certification Record Control Schedule	216
No Retention Required	217
4.6.2 Records Management	219
Purpose	219
Required Elements	219
Scope of Records Control System	220
Certification Record Control Schedule	220
No Retention Required	220
4.7 Covenant Not To Compete	221
Purpose	221
Relevant Terminology	221
Required Elements	221
4.7 NonDisclosure Agreement	225
Purpose	225
Relevant Terminology	225
Required Elements	225
4.8 Security	229
Purpose	229
Critical Elements	229
Additional Elements	229
Performance Testing Considerations	230
CB Administration	231
Test Production	231
CB Administration	232
On-Site Administration	233
Archive	234
Scope of Records Control System	237
Internet Surveillance	237
No Retention Required	237
5.1.1 Competence Requirements	239
Purpose	239
Required Elements	239
Competence Requirements	240
5.1.2 Employee Agreements	241
Purpose	241
Required Elements	241
5.1.3 Employee Duties & Competence	245
Purpose	245
Required Elements	245
5.1.4 Personnel Information Required	249
Purpose	249
Required Elements	249
Sample Checklist	250
5.2.1 Examiner Qualifications	253
Purpose	253
Limitations	253
Required Elements	253
5.2.2 Examiner Conflicts of Interest	255
Purpose	255
Limitations	255
Required Elements	255
6.1.1 Application Contents	257
Purpose	257
Required Elements	257
6.1.2 Applicant Information Required	261
Purpose	261
Required Elements	261
6.2.1 Application Review	263
Purpose	263
Required Elements	263
6.2.2 Examine Competence	265
Purpose	265
Required Elements	265
6.2.3 Verify Scheme Requirements	267
Purpose	267
Required Elements	267
6.2.4 Examination Documentation	269
Purpose	269
Required Elements	269
6.3.1 Certificate Award	273
Purpose	273
Required Elements	273
6.3.2 Certificate	275
Purpose	275
Required Elements	275
6.3.3 Certificate Contents	277
Purpose	277
Required Elements	277
6.4.1 Surveillance Requirements	279
Purpose	279
Required Elements	279
6.4.2 Surveillance Conditions	281
Required Elements	281
6.5.1 Recertification Requirements	283
Purpose	283
Required Elements	283
6.5.2 Recertification Conditions	287
Purpose	287
Required Elements	287
6.6.1 Logo & Mark Restrictions of Use	289
Purpose	289
Required Elements	289
6.6.2 Certification Use Agreement	297
Purpose	297
Required Elements	297
6.6.3 Enforcement Actions for Intellectual Property	298
Purpose	298
Required Elements	298
Index	301

Inside the Book

Table of Contents