CLEAR Publication Guidelines

Thank you for your interest in submitting an article or paper for publication by CLEAR.  CLEAR publishes articles or papers on relevant topics of interest to the occupational and professional regulatory community.  Authors gain valuable exposure and recognition among the regulatory community.  CLEAR membership is not a requirement for publication.

The goal of CLEAR publications is to advance the audience’s knowledge on a particular regulatory topic.  Submissions must be product- and vendor-neutral.

CLEAR publications are currently offered in the following formats:

Resource Briefs: a collection of short (generally 5-10 pages) papers on current issues in occupational and professional regulation.  Resource Briefs are generally written at a level that will be understood by CLEAR members who are not specialists in the subject matter.

Reference Library: lists of online articles and other references on topics of interest to the regulatory community.  Typically, references are categorized and annotated with a brief description of what each resource provides and how it is helpful to those interested in the topic.

CLEAR Exam Review: a bi-annual journal with useful discussion of current licensing examination issues, geared toward a general audience.

More information about CLEAR’s existing publications can be found here.

Submission Requirements
Resource Briefs: Authors should write in a manner that is clear, concise and demonstrates logical thinking. The subject matter should be factually correct and reflect and advance current knowledge in the field. Manuscripts should be typed, double spaced and no longer than 18 pages. Resource Briefs often include:

• An executive summary
• An introduction explaining the importance or relevance of the subject to the regulatory or credentialing communities
• A brief review of opposing or alternate viewpoints
• A conclusion that mentions the implications or consequences of current action (or inaction)

Reference Library: Authors should include the full URL for each resource.  A full and complete reference must be included for online articles and resources.  If log-in or registration is required to view articles or resources, this must be noted with the listing.  Resources should be categorized into subheadings if appropriate.  Each resource listing should include 1-3 sentences providing an overview of the resource and commentary on its usefulness to the regulatory community. 

CLEAR Exam Review (CER): Articles are typically 3-5 pages in length.  Please submit articles written in APA style (see http://www.apastyle.org/learn/tutorials/basics-tutorial.aspx for more information).  Charts and figures can be included within the text of the submitted article, but a separate clean copy may be required for publication use.

Materials should be submitted electronically to Stephanie Thompson at sthompson@clearhq.org, preferably as a Microsoft Word document.  The submission e-mail message should include the author’s name, title, organization, and full contact details and an indication of the recommended format (Resource Brief, Reference Library, or CER article).

By submitting materials for consideration, the author guarantees that the article is original and accurate and does not infringe on any copyright of others.  The author grants to CLEAR full rights to publish the article.  The author grants CLEAR the right to post, print and reprint the article.  The author shall retain all other intellectual property rights, including the right to post or publish the article on their own organization’s website, provided reference is given to the CLEAR publication.

Submission does not guarantee publication.  Articles and papers submitted to CLEAR are peer-reviewed by CLEAR committee members selected based on interest and expertise in the topic area.  CLEAR Exam Review has its own editorial board.  The names or institutional identity of the author(s) will not be disclosed to the reviewers, and the identity of reviewers will not be disclosed to the authors unless both parties agree that the article or paper could benefit from direct discussion between author and reviewer.

Review Timeline – Resource Briefs and Reference Library
Submissions will be acknowledged by CLEAR staff within three days of receipt.  Within two weeks of submission, reviewers will be selected/invited and asked to confirm their interest and availability to review.  Upon acceptance of the invitation to review, reviewers will be provided with a copy of the manuscript, without identifying information of the author, and the review form.

Manuscripts are reviewed based on the following criteria:

* The manuscript deals with an issue of concern to a large segment of the regulatory community.
* The manuscript shares information or practical “know-how” that members of the regulatory community are likely to find helpful.
* The manuscript serves to stimulate thinking, discussion, even controversy, within the regulatory community.
* The manuscript is written at a level understood by members who are not specialists in the subject matter.
* The manuscript exhibits logical or clear thinking and is factually accurate.

Reviewers will be asked to complete their initial review within two months of receiving the materials.  Reviewers may provide comments on the review form and/or provide a copy of the manuscript with suggested revisions in track changes mode.

Upon the review deadline, CLEAR staff will forward all reviewer comments, without identifying information, to the author for consideration.  The author will have six weeks to consider the comments and incorporate suggested revisions as he/she sees appropriate and submit a revised version of the manuscript.

CLEAR staff will provide the revised manuscript to the review group who will have two weeks to review the manuscript and reply indicating whether they approve the manuscript for publication.  The manuscript will be published upon approval from at least two of three reviewers. 

Approved manuscripts will be formatted for publication on CLEAR’s website and published within one week of approval.  New publications will be announced on CLEAR’s website and via e-mail to CLEAR’s membership.

Review Timeline – CLEAR Exam Review
CLEAR Exam Review is published in the spring and fall.  The submission deadline for consideration for the Spring issue is January 31.  The submission deadline for consideration for the Fall issue is June 30.