Requirements for Certification

Becoming a Certified Organizational Ombuds requires completing the application form in full, and submitting it for review by the Board of Certification, with all requisite supporting documentation and payment of a non-refundable certification application administrative fee. 

Before starting your application, please review all required materials and information. The application must be completed in a single session, so be sure to have all necessary details and uploads ready before you begin. You can also download a checklist of these requirements for your reference and convenience.

Download the Checklist

Required uploads for the application:

• Verification that you have passed the exam, including the date you passed
• Confirmation materials that you have 2,000 hours of experience working as an organizational Ombuds
• In order to demonstrate that the requirement of experience practicing as an organizational ombuds has been met, the candidate should submit copies of verification of length of employment from the relevant employer(s) of record. A representative of the Eligibility Committee may contact an applicant if additional information or clarification of submitted information is required.
• Completed Educational Training tracking form
  
• Using the Educational Training tracking form, please detail all applicable training to support your role and understanding of organizational ombuds work. You'll need to include:
  • Date of the course
  • Title of the course
  • Number of hours
  • Type of PDH
  • What domain the course satisfied
  • What core competencies the course satisfied
• Please use our approved courses to help you fill out your Educational Training tracking form. If you have attended a course or completed educational training that is not on the approved courses list, please use the information below to fill out your tracking form.

• 1. Education

  • Attending courses, classes, webinars, workshops, training programs, conferences, or meetings. Attendance may be in-person, online, by phone, or by conference call.
  • Maximum PDH: 15 PDH for a single educational activity (e.g. a 40-hour workshop, a full semester college class, or a single IOA conference), but up to 60 PDH total during a four-year recertification cycle.
  • How to Calculate PDH: On an hour-for-hour basis, rounding down to the nearest half-hour increment. Hours should be calculated from the beginning to the end of a single session or program, including brief "stretch" or refreshment breaks. Longer breaks, such as one-hour lunch breaks, do not count toward PDH for the activity.  
  2. Presenting & Instruction
  
  • Preparing and delivering presentations or instruction featuring substantive content aligned with the CO-OP® Domains.
  • Maximum PDH: 15 PDH during a four-year recertification cycle.
  • How to Calculate PDH: On an hour-for-hour basis, rounding down to the nearest half-hour increment for both preparation and presentation.  
  3. Mentorship
  
  • Participating as a mentee or a mentor in the IOA Mentoring Program, COFO program, or any other ombuds mentoring relationships.
  • Maximum PDH: 15 PDH during a four-year recertification cycle.
  • How to Calculate PDH: On an hour-for-hour basis, rounding down to the nearest half-hour increment. Verification may be provided by attestation from the mentor/mentee. 
  4. Writing & Publishing
  
  • Producing original research and writing that relates to one or more of the CO-OP® Domains and is published in peer-reviewed or closely vetted venues.
  • Maximum PDH: 15 PDH during a four-year recertification cycle.
  • How to Calculate PDH: One PDH per published page.
• Letter of Completion for Foundations course or a certificate and transcript for another equivalent course
• Equivalent courses may include: Forum for Canadian Ombuds (FCO) Osgoode Hall Course, European Network of Higher Education Ombuds (ENHOE) basic training,  Master's in conflict resolution or dispute resolution with equivalent coursework on workplace conflict or ombudsing. We are looking to see that you have taken coursework in organizational ombuds and are applying a set of standards to the practice.
• A written response that details the specific training you have taken to build competency in Interpersonal, Intrapersonal, and Organizational Conflict Management
• Completed Case Scenarios
• You will be asked to upload a written or video response to two case scenarios. Please see the case scenarios document and choose one case scenario from each category: visitors and organization.
• A character statement
• This character statement will need to be from your current or past employer or supervisor (within the last four years), your IOA mentor, or someone else who is certified as an organizational ombuds who has detailed understanding about your ombuds work
• The statement should address the candidate's personal and professional integrity, ability to instill trust, ask the right questions, and to demonstrate patience.
• You may also upload any additional supplemental information that you believe would be helpful to assist the Eligibility Committee with their decision

Ready to complete your application?

Complete Individual Certification Application Form