New version of ASTM E2659 available

Mickie Rops
Jun 11
2 min read

Updated: Jun 14

ANSI/ASTM E2659-24, Standard Practice for Certificate Programs, provides guidance to certificate issuers on developing and administering quality certificate programs, and guidelines to stakeholders for determining the quality of certificate programs.

First published in 2009 and revised in 2018, a new 2024 version was approved in December 2024 and published in February 2025.

This revision focused primarily on clarifications - including adding 10 new notes to the previous eight! But there were a handful of substantive revisions, including:

5.1.4 Advisory Group – The AG now needs to have input on instructional design (rather than the full written plan) and on assessment system security.
5.2.1 Documentation – Now specifies which policies and procedures are required.
Must now have policy on the use of technology-enabled automation, including artificial intelligence. Must also now have procedures on designation issuance and use and accommodations. The security procedures must include identity verification.
5.2.6 Management Review – Inputs to management review must now also include progress towards objectives
5.3 Personnel – Must now have contracts or agreements with personnel that clearly specify the responsibilities assigned and include provisions to ensure confidentiality, impartiality (including but not limited to conflicts of interest) and security of assessment materials.
5.6 Outsourcing and Commercial Support – Contracts or agreements were already required, but now they must also include provisions to ensure, impartiality (including but not limited to conflicts of interest) and security of summative assessment materials..
6.1.2 Instructional Design Plan – Must now address how the certificate issuer initially ensured and will continue to ensure certificate program design is consistent with its stated purpose, target audience, and scope.
6.1.3 Certificate Requisites – Must now also be consistent with the target population.
6.1.10 Program Evaluation – Must now include performance targets and a review of progress towards those targets for, at minimum: (1) course(s), and (2) summative assessment(s) for specified elements (see clause).