The certification system is DOH-supervised, with performance criteria and assessment processes established and accepted as standard across all DOH-hospitals. The NCP provides a framework for looking at higher level performance of nurses within a particular general or specialty area, using specific behaviors identified for each level and area as  performance standards. It also provides the mechanism for progressing from one level of  expertise to another, through a guided and evidence-based assessment process that applies the performance standards and is conducted by independent and objective assessors. Certification of Competency  for a particular level is awarded to a candidate when all performance standards  (behaviors) are demonstrated with consistency.