# PA Certification Board

Certified Good

**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/](https://www.pacertboard.org/ "(opens in a new window)"), 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- Operating on an outdated Drupal version, which posed security vulnerabilities and hindered the integration of modern web functionalities.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- Limited user experience (UX) due to outdated design and navigation.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.

### Client:

### Services:
- 3rd-Party Integration  
- Development  
- E-Commerce