The question of certification: Do technical communicators need it?

The issue of certification has remained a volatile one among technical communicators for several years, and has been the topic of much discussion on the Internet´s TECHWR-L list server. The question of certification is a complex one, with perhaps more than one right answer-and more than one all-encompassing designation. Certification in subject areas, technologies and products peripheral to technical communications (i.e., multimedia development, hazardous waste management, ISO 9000) has benefited many technical communications professionals (including this author) and may represent one answer to the question. Because of the various experience levels, education backgrounds, and technical skills among technical communicators, perhaps the issue of certification is a moot one unless it allows for such technical diversity. Would an independent technical communications contractor specializing in the environmental sciences enhance his or her marketability/credibility more with a certificate in hazardous waste management than with a certificate in technical communications? Such questions will be raised by technical communicators in similar situations but working in different industries and fields