TIEMS International Certifications - TQC and TQAC
TQC (TIEMS Qualification Certification in International Emergency and Disaster Management) and TQAC (TIEMS “Associate” Qualification Certification) are the certifications for individual emergency managers, either practical or academic. Typically, TQAC is a certification for individuals with proper education in emergency management, but those who lack the practical experience as required for TQC.
TQC and TQAC only certify knowledge and competencies about international standards, requirements, and best practices, necessary to create “an international common understanding” among those working with emergency and disaster management internationally.
TIEMS motivation for launching TQC & TQAC
With an increasing number of disasters worldwide, resulting in more international collaboration and support to disaster-stricken areas, the need for more education and training in international emergency and disaster management seems evident. TIEMS believes that it is important to raise awareness of the competencies needed in emergency and disaster management, and to support those participating in these activities and operations in acquiring those competencies.
Development of TQC and TQAC
The idea of a TIEMS International Certification, TQC, emerged during the TIEMS 2006 Annual Conference in Korea. Around 300 experts from more than 40 countries have been consulted during the TQC development process by answering a questionnaire and participating in three workshops in Kyiev, Manila, and Seoul, discussing and concluding the TQC concept.
Eight test candidates from 7 countries, Australia, China, Jordan, Nigeria, South Africa, India and the USA have tested the online TQC system, giving valuable feedback on the quality, operational aspects, and relevance of TQC, thus guiding TIEMS to attune TQC to the needs of the international emergency management and disaster response community. The eight certified members can be seen here.
When TQC was launched, TIEMS was soon approached by newly educated professionals who had proper education but lacked practical experience in emergency management. TQAC was then established as an additional TIEMS certification for those with proper education in emergency management, but lacking practical experience.
TQC Certification Prerequisites
To be eligible to take the TQC exam, a candidate should provide evidence of education, participation, contribution, and competence:
A. Education (one or more of the following)
a) Bachelor’s degree in science, engineering, social science or emergency/disaster management speciality (International Standard Classification of Education Level 6, e.g., a bachelor’s degree from a reputable university)
b) Minimum 50 hours of emergency/disaster management training in the last 5 years
c) A certification related to emergency/disaster management at the national level
B. Participation (only for TQC candidates)
The candidate is required to have at least 3 years’ experience as a first responder, volunteer, educator, leader, or other activity, practical or academic, directly involved with emergency/disaster management, in the last 6 years.
C. Contribution (one or more of the following; only for TQC candidates)
a) At least five publications or speaking engagements in emergency/disaster management
b) Participation as a leader or board member of an organization that participates in emergency/disaster management
c) Teaching emergency/disaster management
D. Competence
The candidate is required to show competence (experience or education) in seven areas of emergency and disaster management:
a) International Perspectives
b) Preparedness, Prevention, and Mitigation
c) Predictions and Early Warning
d) Emergency Operations
e) Public Warning
f) Search and Rescue
g) Recovery and Reconstruction
TQC and TQAC certification process
In order to be certified in TQC and TQAC, you will need to take the following steps:
(1) Read the guiding documents
The candidates should read the following documents to prepare:
a) TQC & TQAC Brief Introduction
b) TQC & TQAC Description Document
d) TQC & TQAC Application Form
(2) Documentation
The candidate must submit the following documents on the TQC&TQAC Platform :
A. Curriculum Vitae (CV), showing the candidate’s educational and professional experience
The CV should cover:
a) Address and contact information
b) Work experience
c) Education and training
d) Language skills
e) Other information the candidate wishes to include
B. Copies of Degree Diplomas, Program Certificates, and Course Completions
C. Copies of Certifications Related to Emergency and Disaster Management
D. (only for TQC candidates) Evidence of Publications, Presentations, Teaching, or Leadership
E. A professional reference describing the candidate’s participation in emergency/disaster management activities
F. Additional Background and Experience Documentation
G. A Competence Area Summary, Demonstrating Knowledge in the Following 7 Competence Areas:
a) International Perspectives
b) Preparedness, Prevention, and Mitigation
c) Predictions and Early Warning
d) Emergency Operations
e) Public Warning
f) Search and Rescue
g) Recovery and Reconstruction
The accepted candidates will have access to the following:
a) TQC & TQAC Candidate Certification Guide
b) TQC & TQAC Candidate Examination Guide
c) TQC & TQAC Examination Questions
d) TQC & TQAC ProctorFree User Guide
(3) Self-study at TQC&TQAC Platform and TIEMS Academy
The accepted candidates will have links to the related training course developed by TIEMS and its partners. TIEMS encourages TQC & TQAC candidates to gain exposure to the many aspects that comprise the field.
The TQC & TQAC Platform with TIEMS Academy (link to TIEMS Academy page), therefore, provides references to the most important areas.
(4) Examination
The candidates must demonstrate experience or
knowledge in 7 competence areas: 1) International Perspectives, 2) Preparedness, Prevention, and Mitigation, 3) Predictions and Early Warning, 4) Emergency Operations, 5) Public Warning, 6) Search and Rescue, 7) Recovery and Reconstruction.
However, for the TQC & TQAC examination, the focus is on four important areas, on which the TQC & TQAC candidates will be tested in a proctored, “closed book” examination process: 1) International Perspectives, 2) Preparedness, Prevention, and Mitigation (Sendai Framework), 3) Emergency Operations (ISO Standards), 4) Search and Rescue (INSARAG Framework).
To ensure that TQC & TQAC candidates can take the TQC & TQAC Exam from anywhere, they will be identified and monitored by ProctorFree throughout the entire TQC & TQAC exam. For more information on ProctorFree, please visit https://proctorfree.com/
TQCTM Re-Certification
TQC Certification is awarded for a three-year period, with re-certification efforts required prior to the end of the third year. The TQC & TQAC Certification Board will notify the TQC-certified person at the beginning of their third year, requesting that they submit the TQC Re-Certification Form if they intend to maintain their certification. The TQC & TQAC Compliance Board will then evaluate the TQC-certified person’s experience, activity, and education/training during the 3-year TQC Certification period, and, if they continue to be qualified, TIEMS issues a TQC Re-Certification Certificate.
Upgrade from TQACTM to TQCTM Certification
TQAC Certification is a one-time award, showing proper education in emergency management.
TQAC Certification can be upgraded to TQC Certification when the candidate has achieved the necessary practical experience (Participation and Contribution) in emergency management.
The candidate can then submit the TQAC Certification Upgrade to the TQC Form.
The TQC & TQAC Compliance Board will evaluate the TQAC-certified person’s experience and activity, and if they fulfil the TQC requirements, will award the TQC Certification.
TQC & TQAC Cost Policy
TIEMS’ general policy is that education and certification in emergency and disaster management should be affordable to most, and therefore, the cost of being TQC & TQAC certified will be kept at a minimum, covering only the cost to TIEMS for offering and maintaining the TQC & TQAC service.
It is required that before the TQC Certification Board initiates the TQC & TQAC certification process for the applicant, the applicant must become a TIEMS Member, and the applicant needs to pay the TQC or TQAC certification fee before starting uploading documents to the TQC & TQAC Platform, and then pay the TQC & TQAC examination fee before getting access to the TQC & TQAC examination. After the applicant has passed the TQC & TQAC Exam, his/her TIEMS membership will be upgraded to TIEMS Professional Certified Member.
Likewise, the TQAC Upgrade Fee to TQC and the TQC Re-certification fee have to be paid prior to the application.
It is also to be understood that TIEMS does not guarantee that an applicant’s certification will be successful. No claim of liability, in any shape, can be made by any applicant against TIEMS and/or any of its officers who are part of the TQC & TQAC process(es).
The current cost for the TQC & TQAC examination can be seen here. (link to the membership, examination fee page)
