Terminology & Definitions
A practical reference to the principal terms used throughout IGH3P® membership, professional recognition, accreditation, certification, standards and training-organisation frameworks.
Clear Language for Professional Recognition
Professional recognition involves terminology that can have different meanings across organisations, professions and jurisdictions. This reference explains how key terms are used within the IGH3P® professional framework.
The definitions below are intended to help members, practitioners, applicants, training organisations and the public understand IGH3P® terminology consistently.
Where a specific accreditation, certification or recognition pathway has additional requirements, the relevant published requirements and policies should be read alongside these definitions.
Accreditation & Certification
These terms are related, but they are not interchangeable within the IGH3P® framework.
Professional Accreditation
Accreditation is a form of professional recognition based on assessment against defined IGH3P® requirements relevant to the accreditation sought.
Depending on the pathway, assessment may consider education, training, practical experience, competence, ethical practice, continuing professional development and supporting evidence.
Professional Certification
Certification confirms that defined criteria or requirements associated with a particular IGH3P® certification have been satisfied.
Certification and accreditation may involve different criteria, scope and levels of professional recognition. Holding one should not automatically be interpreted as holding the other.
IGH3P® Terminology
Definitions are grouped by professional context so that related terms can be understood together.
Professional Recognition
A general term used to describe formal acknowledgement by IGH3P® that an individual, organisation, programme or course has satisfied the requirements applicable to a particular recognised status.
Accreditation
Formal professional recognition following assessment against defined IGH3P® accreditation requirements. Accreditation may apply to individual practitioners, organisations, programmes or courses according to the relevant recognition framework.
Certification
Formal confirmation that the criteria associated with a defined IGH3P® certification have been met. The scope and requirements of certification depend upon the particular certification pathway.
Credential
A qualification, certification, accreditation, professional designation or other documented form of professional achievement or recognition.
Recognition Status
The specific form or level of current IGH3P® recognition held by an individual, organisation, programme or course.
Recognised Professional
An individual who currently holds an applicable form of IGH3P® professional recognition. The term does not imply statutory registration or licensing unless this is separately established by the relevant authority.
Coach
A practitioner who works with clients through a structured coaching relationship to support reflection, learning, development, performance, change or goal-directed progress within the practitioner's scope of competence.
Mentor
A practitioner who supports another person's learning, development or professional growth through a mentoring relationship that may draw upon relevant knowledge, experience, reflection and developmental dialogue.
Practitioner
A professional actively engaged in the practice of the discipline or field relevant to their recognition. Within an accreditation title, Practitioner may also identify a defined recognition level.
Fellow
A senior professional-recognition level within an applicable IGH3P® pathway. Fellow status is associated with the requirements established for that particular level and should not be interpreted independently of those published requirements.
Professional Competence
The ability to apply relevant knowledge, skills, professional judgement and ethical understanding appropriately within the context and boundaries of professional practice.
Scope of Competence
The areas of professional practice in which an individual has appropriate education, training, experience and competence to practise responsibly.
Training Hours
Hours of relevant structured education or professional training that may be considered when assessing whether the educational requirements of a recognition pathway have been met.
Practical Hours
Documented hours of relevant professional practice, such as coaching or mentoring, undertaken as part of the experience requirements associated with a recognition pathway.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
Ongoing learning and professional-development activity undertaken to maintain, update or extend professional knowledge, skills, competence and practice.
Learning Outcomes
Statements describing the knowledge, understanding, skills or capabilities that a learner is expected to demonstrate following completion of a learning activity, course or programme.
Assessment
A structured method of evaluating whether specified learning, competence, evidence or recognition requirements have been demonstrated.
Evidence
Information or documentation submitted or considered in support of an application, assessment, review or professional-recognition decision.
Training Organisation
An organisation that provides education, training or professional-development programmes relevant to the scope of IGH3P® recognition.
Accredited Organisation
An organisation that currently holds IGH3P® organisational accreditation following assessment against the requirements applicable to that recognition.
Programme
A structured sequence of education, training, assessment or professional-development activities designed to achieve defined learning or professional outcomes.
Course
A defined unit or structured body of education or training with specified content, learning outcomes and, where applicable, assessment requirements.
Accredited Course
A course that has been assessed and granted IGH3P® accreditation against the applicable course-recognition requirements.
Certified Course
A course that has satisfied the requirements applicable to IGH3P® course certification. Course certification should not be interpreted as individual professional accreditation of its graduates.
Quality Assurance
The policies, systems and activities used by a training provider to monitor, maintain and improve the quality and consistency of its education, assessment and learner experience.
Professional Standards
The expectations that support competent, responsible and accountable professional practice within the IGH3P® framework.
Code of Ethics
The ethical principles and professional responsibilities that guide judgement, conduct, relationships and decision-making in professional practice.
Code of Conduct
Defined expectations concerning the professional behaviour of individuals subject to the relevant IGH3P® conduct requirements.
Professional Boundaries
The appropriate limits that define and protect the professional relationship, role, responsibilities and scope of practice between a practitioner and client or other professional party.
Supervision
A structured professional process that supports reflection on practice, ethical issues, boundaries, competence, professional development and practitioner wellbeing.
Reflective Practice
The structured consideration of professional experiences, decisions, relationships and outcomes in order to support learning, professional judgement and continuing development.
Complaint
A formal expression of concern submitted for consideration under an applicable IGH3P® complaints or professional-accountability procedure.
Review
Reconsideration of a decision, evidence or matter in accordance with the applicable IGH3P® procedure.
Appeal
A formal request for review of a decision on specified grounds under the applicable IGH3P® procedure.
Disciplinary Action
Formal action that may be considered following a substantiated breach of applicable professional, ethical, conduct or recognition requirements.
Suspension
Temporary restriction of an IGH3P® membership, accreditation, certification or other recognition status in accordance with the applicable procedure.
Withdrawal of Recognition
Formal removal of an IGH3P® accreditation, certification or other recognised status in accordance with the applicable requirements and procedure.
Membership
Participation in IGH3P® under an applicable membership category and subject to the requirements and benefits associated with that category.
Member
An individual holding a current IGH3P® membership status.
Membership & Accreditation
Membership and professional accreditation are separate forms of recognition or participation within IGH3P®.
Membership is not automatically professional accreditation, and professional accreditation is not dependent upon holding membership unless a specific pathway expressly states otherwise.
Professional Terms in Context
Terminology used by professional bodies, educational organisations and regulatory authorities can vary between sectors and jurisdictions. The definitions on this page describe how these terms are used within the IGH3P® framework.
IGH3P® recognition should not be represented as statutory registration, professional licensing or governmental approval unless such status has been independently and explicitly established.
Where there is any difference between a general definition on this page and the requirements of a specific IGH3P® recognition pathway, the published requirements applicable to that pathway should be followed.