Inside CQL Certification
The value and usefulness of person-centered discovery is enhanced through reliable implementation of Personal Outcome Measures® (POM) interviews, providing for valid conclusions reached and subsequent actions taken, based upon that information-gathering process.
Interviewer Certification
Interviewer Certification increases the validity and reliability of information-gathering and data collection when conducting POM interviews.
- 2-year certification term
- Increase the reliability of your POM interviews
- Explore the benefits of a reliable database
Certified Interviewers carry out Personal Outcome Measures® interviews with greater confidence in their information-gathering skills, as well as their ability to make decisions about the presence and importance of outcomes and supports in people’s lives.
With an accurate understanding of what really matters to people, Certified Interviewers help organizations better allocate resources, direct services, develop person-centered plans, and inform strategic plans based on reliable data.
Candidates can pursue Interviewer Certification for the POM for Adults and/or POM for Children and Youth. These two measures are independent of each other, and if the candidate intends to achieve Interviewer Certification in both measures, they must complete certification activities for each one.
Applying For Interviewer Certification
If a candidate is applying for CQL Interviewer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Interviewer Certification, please complete the following application:
Trainer Certification
Trainer Certification prepares staff to conduct valid and reliable POM interviews and to deliver POM Workshops at their own organization.
- 2-year certification term
- Increase the reliability of your POM interviews
- Provide POM training to other employees
In addition to completing valid and reliable interviews, Certified Trainers have the tools to present 4-day POM Workshops to staff at their organization. This creates a ripple-effect, sharing the power of the POM with employees through workshops.
By having in-house experts to educate staff about the POM, Certified Trainers help an organization transform its culture and practices, where employees at every level learn how to support people achieve individually-defined outcomes.
Candidates can pursue Trainer Certification for the POM for Adults and/or POM for Children and Youth. These two measures are independent of each other, and if the candidate intends to achieve Trainer Certification in both measures, they must complete certification activities for each one.
Applying For Trainer Certification
If a candidate is applying for CQL Trainer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Trainer Certification, please complete the following application:
CQL Certification Components
Hands-On Experience
Certification includes active involvement in interviews and training, where candidates see first-hand how the process plays out and directly participate.
Free Resources
Along with a free Personal Outcome Measures® manual and related materials, candidates will access additional resources to assist them with their certification.
In-Person Consultation
CQL staff provide expertise and guidance during the various on-site activities, acting as a mentor to help the candidate throughout the certification process.
Ongoing Support
After the on-site activities end, CQL staff assist Certified Interviewers and Trainers to help ensure the successful application of their certification skills.
PORTAL Eligibility
Certified Interviewers and Trainers are eligible to purchase full access to the PORTAL Data System, for collecting and analyzing outcomes and supports data.
Online Re-Certification
As a cost-saving measure – only available when pursuing re-certification – candidates can use video streaming services for the inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment.
Have questions about CQL Certification?
Benefits of CQL Certification
Whether you’re pursuing Interviewer Certification or Trainer Certification, there are numerous ways that this designation will impact services at both an individual and organizational level.
- Expand data collection
- Strengthen interview consistency
- Develop capacity for data analysis
- Advance staff development
- Inform person-centered planning
- Dive deeper into individual goals
- Empower people supported
- Demonstrate commitment to quality
- Spread person-centered approaches
- Improve information-gathering
- Implement responsive services
- Identify priority outcomes
- Direct strategic planning
- Embed best practices
- Make data-based decisions
- Prioritize organizational resources
Frequently Asked Questions
If a candidate is applying for CQL Interviewer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Interviewer Certification, please complete the following application:
If a candidate is applying for CQL Trainer Certification for the very first time, they need to fill out the Certification Inquiry Form. If a candidate has previously achieved CQL Trainer Certification, please complete the following application:
Those pursuing Interviewer Re-Certification must take part in a new inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment, with at least an 85% alignment between the candidate and CQL staff regarding decision-making about outcomes and supports. These IRR assessments can be completed in person or through video streaming services.
In addition – during the two-year certification term – the Certified Interviewer must conduct 20 Personal Outcome Measures® interviews and participate in 8 hours of acceptable options for continuing education. The fulfillment of these requirements will be verified by CQL staff.
If certified in more than one measure, the certified interviewer must complete at least 15 interviews in each measure to ensure sufficient experience with the different measures.
Those pursuing Trainer Re-Certification must take part in a new inter-rater reliability (IRR) assessment, with at least an 85% alignment between the candidate and CQL staff regarding decision-making about outcomes and supports. These IRR assessments can be completed in person or through video streaming services.
In addition – during the two-year certification term – along with participating in 8 hours of acceptable options for continuing education, the Certified Trainer must complete one of the following 3 options:
- Present 8 POM Workshops to internal organizational employees
- Present 4 POM Workshops to internal organizational employees and conduct 16 POM interviews
- Present 4 POM Workshops to internal organizational employees, conduct 4 POM interviews, and present 12 days of customized POM training (training to be approved by CQL)
If certified in more than one measure, consult CQL for the specific Trainer Certification requirements involving multiple measures.
Both CQL Interviewer and CQL Trainer Certification require the completion of 8 hours of continuing education during the two-year certification term.
Acceptable options for continuing education include:
- CQL webinars
- CQL in-person training options
- CQL-hosted conferences and seminars
- CQL presentations at other conferences
Your Interviewer Certification and/or Trainer Certification status is connected to the organization where the certification process took place. If you move to a new organization and wish to maintain your certification status you must contact CQL to request a transfer. Failure to do so will result in the termination of your certification status.
Only current CQL staff members are able conduct the CQL Certification process and grant CQL Certification. Neither Certified Interviewers or Certified Trainers are able to grant CQL Certification – either internally at their organization or externally at other organizations.
CQL Certification expires exactly two years after the official certification date. Whether a Certified Interviewer or Certified Trainer completes their re-certification early, the official certification and expiration dates changes to the new re-certification date.
If you desire to maintain your Interviewer/Trainer Certification status when changing your employment from one organization to another, you must contact CQL and notify us of the change so that we can update our records.
There are a number of materials exclusively available to those who have achieved Trainer Certification, which are necessary for conducting Personal Outcome Measures® Workshops:
- POM Workshop PowerPoint
- Trainer’s Workbook
- Trainer’s Agenda
- PowerPoint Handouts
- Decision-Making Posters
- Factors & Indicators Listing
If you are a Certified Trainer, you can request these materials by contacting CQL.
Featured Manual
Personal Outcome Measures® Manual for Adults
Inside the Personal Outcome Measures® manual:
- View descriptions about the POM factors and indicators
- Receive guidance about the entire process
- Learn how to gather information and make decisions
- Discover techniques for interviewing and measurement
Related Training and Resources
Featured Resource
Personal Outcome Measures® Information-Gathering Worksheet
This free information-gathering form helps interviewers in recording and organizing feedback and responses shared during the Personal Outcome Measures® interview. It is organized by the five factors, with space for collecting details about each indicator.
Get The GuideDecision-Making With The Personal Outcome Measures®
CQL conducted a free webinar series to share guidance about decision-making when using the Personal Outcome Measures® (POM), including variables that could influence the decision.
Contact CQL
Please fill out the form below about CQL Certification.