Certification Requirements
Certification candidates must successfully complete benefits coach training, plus the subsequent exams.
Step 1: Benefits coach initial self-paced training
The self-paced training will be virtual, hosted on a learning management system. The lessons provide detailed information on benefit program rules, an overview of the benefits coaching service and the DB101 website, and procedures for verifying benefits. The lessons must be completed in a period of three weeks, with quiz scores for each lesson of 80% or higher within two attempts. When the candidate has successfully completed step one, they may move on to step two.
Step 2: Benefits coach initial instructor-led training
The instructor-led training will be delivered as a series of Zoom webinars, held over a period of four days, which must be attended live. The webinars will focus on the skills needed to deliver benefits coaching, such as doing a benefits checkup, completing a benefits and work estimator session, writing a benefits report, explaining results and helping a person make financial decisions about work. Candidates have several required activities that will be graded by the instructor. When the candidate has successfully completed step two, they may move on to step three.
Step 3: Practical exam
Candidates will be required to demonstrate the benefits coaching skills that do not involve interacting with a customer, like:
– determining the appropriate level of service,
– scrutinizing benefit verifications,
– completing an estimator session and interpreting the results.
The exams will be posted on the learning management system and candidates will submit their responses on the learning management system. Some of the exams will be auto-graded and others will be manually graded by the instructor. When the candidate has successfully completed step three, they may move on to step four.
Step 4: Practical evaluation (recommended but not required)
When the practical exam is complete, candidates are encouraged to demonstrate their benefits coaching skills. Typically, the supervisor attends a benefits coaching meeting with a customer to observe the candidate as they present the information gathered and explain how work will impact benefits.
Successful completion:
Candidates who successfully complete steps one through three will receive documentation of certification. The certification is valid for one year. To maintain certification in subsequent years, the benefits coach must complete the required maintenance and recertification activities.
Failure to complete one or more certification requirements:
- Training: Candidates who cannot complete the required training by the deadline may request an extension. The request must be made prior to the deadline and requires approval by the supervisor and the Hub. If the extension is not approved, the training will need to be retaken
from the beginning.
- Self-paced quizzes: Candidates will be given two attempts to achieve a score of 80% or higher on each self-paced quiz. If a candidate does not achieve 80% or higher within 2 attempts, a remediation plan must be created and approved by the supervisor and the Hub.
