From Point-in-Time Testing to Continuous Certification: Insights with NBCRNA’s Tim Muckle
In this episode of Tried and Tested, host Isabelle Gonthier, PhD, ICE-CCP, speaks with Tim Muckle, PhD, ICE-CCP, Chief Assessment Officer at the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists, about longitudinal assessment and the future of continued professional certification. Drawing on his background in mathematics, psychometrics, healthcare certification, and assessment leadership, Tim explains how NBCRNA is rethinking recertification in a way that supports patient safety, lifelong learning, and trust with certificants.
As certification programs look for models that are more continuous, flexible, and relevant, Tim shares how NBCRNA moved from a traditional point-in-time assessment toward the MAC Check, a longitudinal assessment model built around smaller quarterly question sets, immediate feedback, spaced repetition, and ongoing evidence of competence. The conversation also explores stakeholder engagement, change management, the balance between rigor and accessibility, how AI may influence clinical practice and assessment, and why mission alignment is essential when changing maintenance of certification programs.
What you’ll learn:
- How longitudinal assessment differs from traditional point-in-time testing
- Why continuous certification can better support lifelong learning and professional growth
- How smaller, periodic question sets can reduce burden while still accumulating evidence of competence
- What immediate feedback, spaced repetition, and related retake questions add to the assessment experience
- Why psychometric defensibility alone is not enough to build stakeholder trust
- How NBCRNA used research, communication, and certificant feedback to support program change
- Where AI, evolving clinical practice, and expectations for relevance may shape future certification models
- Why assessment leaders should start with mission before redesigning recertification or maintenance programs
Who should listen:
- Certification and recertification leaders exploring longitudinal assessment
- Assessment and credentialing professionals responsible for maintenance of certification programs
- Psychometricians and test developers balancing rigor, feedback, and learner support
- Licensure and healthcare certification organizations focused on public safety and continuing competence
- Program owners managing stakeholder trust, communication, and change
- Organizations rethinking how certification can better support lifelong professional learning
Dr. Tim Muckle
Chief Assessment Officer with the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA)
Dr. Muckle is the Chief Assessment Officer with the National Board of Certification and Recertification for Nurse Anesthetists (NBCRNA), based in Chicago, IL. In his career, Dr. Muckle has been responsible for overseeing the test development and psychometric quality of a variety of credentialing examinations. His work has included the development of innovative assessment formats (such as longitudinal assessment), consultation and steering of testing policy and strategy, and spearheading an assessment-focused research agenda. He brings 25+ years of experience in certification, test development and research to his present role. Tim has published numerous articles in testing-related scientific journals and publications and has been a regular presenter at meetings of the Association of Test Publishers (ATP), and the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, among others. Among his skills and qualifications are: strategic thinking and planning, organizational leadership, statistical analysis, research and publications, team building, innovative assessment formats, and volunteer service to the credentialing industry.