ASTM E2659-24 PDF

Full title and description

ASTM E2659-24 — Standard Practice for Certificate Programs. Provides a concise, consensus-based practice that guides organizations in developing, administering, and documenting quality non‑degree certificate programs, and establishes criteria that stakeholders can use to evaluate the quality and integrity of those programs.

Abstract

This practice defines requirements and recommendations for entities that issue certificates after successful completion of a program of learning and assessment. It clarifies the distinction between certificate programs and other types of certificates (such as certificates of attendance) and between certificate programs and personnel certification. The document covers requirements for the issuing entity and for individual certificate programs, and is intended to support recognition or accreditation of certificate issuers or specific certificate programs.

General information

• Status: Current / Active.
• Publication date: 2024 (Document designation E2659-24; registration/public listing December 15, 2024; referenced in related notices in early 2025).
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: 03.120.20 (Product and company certification. Conformity assessment).
• Edition / version: E2659-24 (revision of earlier E2659 editions, replacing E2659-18 series).
• Number of pages: 8 pages.

Scope

This practice provides guidance to certificate issuers for developing and administering quality certificate programs and to stakeholders for determining the quality of certificate programs. It includes requirements for both the entity issuing the certificate and for the specific certificate programs, and is intended to form the foundation for recognition or accreditation of certificate issuers or programs. It expressly does not address personnel certification nor general education or training programs that issue attendance/participation certificates.

Key topics and requirements

• Definition and clear scope of a certificate program versus attendance/participation certificates.
• Specification of intended learning outcomes and alignment of learning events to those outcomes.
• Assessment requirements to verify learner attainment of stated outcomes before issuing a certificate.
• Requirements for the issuing entity (policies, recordkeeping, transparency, conflicts of interest).
• Guidance to support recognition or accreditation of certificate issuers and programs.
• Distinction between certificate programs and personnel certification (no ongoing recertification requirements typical of certification).
• Recommendations for program integrity, documentation, and consumer information.

Typical use and users

Used by community colleges and universities, government agencies, employers, independent training organizations, trade and professional associations, and any organization that designs and issues non‑degree certificate programs. Also used by accreditation bodies and stakeholders (employers, government, consumers) evaluating the quality and comparability of certificate programs.

Related standards

Commonly referenced alongside ISO/IEC 17024 (certification of persons), ASTM E2708 (terminology for accreditation and certification), ANSI/IACET quality guidance for continuing education, and industry‑specific ASTM practices (for example D8403 for certificate programs in the cannabis/hemp sector). The practice is also intended to serve as a basis for ANAB/ANSI recognition and accreditation programs for certificate issuers.

Keywords

certificate, certificate program, credentialing, learning outcomes, assessment, accreditation, certificate issuer, program quality, conformity assessment

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM E2659-24 is a consensus practice that sets out requirements and guidance for developing and administering non‑degree certificate programs and for evaluating their quality and integrity.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers issuer‑level requirements and program‑level requirements including learning outcomes, assessment to verify attainment, documentation, transparency, and provisions to support recognition or accreditation of certificate programs. It clarifies how certificate programs differ from certificates of attendance and from personnel certification.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Educational institutions, training providers, employers, associations, accreditation bodies, and stakeholders who need to design, operate, assess, or accredit certificate programs use this practice.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: E2659-24 is the current active designation (E2659-24) and supersedes the prior E2659 editions (such as E2659-18). Organizations and accreditation bodies have implemented transition plans to adopt the revised practice.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of the ASTM E36 committee work on accreditation and certification and is used together with related ASTM terminology and guidance documents (for example E2708) and with applicable industry standards and accreditation requirements.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: certificate, certificate program, credentialing, assessment, learning outcomes, accreditation, issuer, program quality.