PA Certification Board

Case Study: Enhancing the Certification Board Website

Client Overview: The Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB) is a non-profit organization that certifies and credentials professionals in the behavioral and mental health fields. Their website, https://www.pacertboard.org/, is a critical resource for certification applicants, credential holders, and industry stakeholders, providing information on certification requirements, renewal processes, and upcoming events.

Challenge: The PCB website faced several challenges that impacted its usability, security, and scalability. Key issues included:

• Operating on an outdated Drupal version, which posed security vulnerabilities and hindered the integration of modern web functionalities.
• A complex data structure with numerous records related to certifications, applications, and resources that required seamless migration.
• Limited user experience (UX) due to outdated design and navigation.
• Inefficient backend workflows, making content and application management cumbersome for the PCB team.

Our Approach: To address these challenges, we implemented a comprehensive plan focused on upgrading the platform, improving usability, and optimizing backend operations:

1. Discovery and Planning:

   • Conducted stakeholder interviews to understand user needs and organizational goals.
   • Performed a full audit of the existing Drupal website to identify content types, custom modules, and third-party integrations requiring updates or replacements.

2. Incremental Upgrade Path:

   • Followed Drupal’s recommended upgrade path, transitioning the site from Drupal 7 to 8, and finally 9.
   • Migrated thousands of records, including certification data, user profiles, and resource materials, while preserving relationships and metadata integrity.

3. UX and Design Improvements:

   • Redesigned the website to modernize its appearance, improve accessibility (WCAG compliance), and enhance navigation.
   • Simplified the application and renewal processes through clear user pathways and intuitive forms.

4. Backend Optimization:

   • Streamlined administrative workflows by creating custom dashboards for PCB staff to manage certifications, applications, and resources efficiently.
   • Automated repetitive tasks, such as notification emails for certification renewals and application status updates.

5. End-User Features:

   • User-Friendly Dashboard: Created a personalized dashboard for users to track their certifications, view renewal deadlines, and access application statuses.
   • Streamlined Application Process: Integrated step-by-step application forms with real-time validation to reduce errors and improve the user experience.
   • Resource Library: Developed a centralized repository where users can easily access guidelines, study materials, and industry resources.
   • Mobile Responsiveness: Ensured the website is fully responsive, allowing users to access features seamlessly on any device.

6. Testing and Deployment:

   • Conducted rigorous testing to ensure data integrity, functionality, and cross-browser compatibility.
   • Deployed the upgraded site with minimal downtime and provided support for a smooth transition.

Results: The upgraded PCB website delivered significant improvements:

• Enhanced User Experience: The modernized design and streamlined navigation improved accessibility and usability, making it easier for users to find information and complete certification processes.
• Improved Backend Efficiency: PCB staff gained access to intuitive tools and workflows, reducing the time spent on administrative tasks.
• Increased Security: Upgrading to Drupal 9 ensured compliance with the latest security standards, safeguarding sensitive user and certification data.
• Optimized Performance: Faster load times and responsive design provided a seamless experience across devices.
• Future-Proof Infrastructure: The new platform allows for easy updates and scalability, ensuring the website can grow with the organization’s needs.

Conclusion: By upgrading and optimizing the Pennsylvania Certification Board website, our team provided a robust, secure, and user-friendly platform. This project not only addressed existing challenges but also positioned PCB to better serve its community of professionals for years to come.