The Stepwise Milestone Model provides a flexible, modular pathway for professionals progressing toward full Open Professions certification. Instead of submitting a complete certification application all at once, candidates can earn Milestone Badges that independently validate key components of their professional capability.
This article explains how the model works and why it benefits both candidates and employers.
What Is the Stepwise Milestone Model?
The Stepwise Milestone Model breaks the certification journey into smaller, assessable components called Milestone Badges. Each badge represents a specific aspect of the Conformance Requirements for a given profession and level.
Candidates may earn these badges individually and at their own pace. Once all required badges are achieved, they can apply for full certification.
Why Use a Stepwise Approach?
The model is designed to make certification:
- More accessible — candidates can progress in manageable steps
- More flexible — badges can be earned in any order
- More transparent — each badge clearly maps to a specific requirement
- More supportive of career growth — badges can be used to demonstrate capability even before full certification
This approach is especially valuable for professionals building toward higher levels of certification or those who want recognition for specific achievements along the way.
How Milestone Badges Lead to Full Certification
To achieve full certification, candidates must:
- Earn all required Milestone Badges for their profession and level
- Submit a final application that consolidates their badge achievements
- Complete a peer review interview with a Certification Board
Because each badge is already assessed, the final certification process is more focused and efficient.
Benefits for Candidates
The Stepwise Milestone Model allows candidates to:
- Build certification gradually
- Demonstrate capability to employers as they progress
- Reduce the pressure of preparing a single, large submission
- Reuse badges for re‑certification where applicable
- Maintain momentum in their professional development
Benefits for Employers
Organizations benefit from:
- Increased visibility into employee capability
- A structured framework for professional development
- Reduced risk through validated, incremental assessments
- A scalable approach to workforce certification
More Information
For full details of the Open Professions program see: