To differentiate the management consultant qualifications given out by Zen-Noh-Ren member bodies from unqualified low grade certifications given by the samurai business practice while at the same time enhancing the quality of Zen-Noh-Ren certifications, Zen-Noh-Ren established its Voluntary Regulations Concerning Management Consultant Certifications in 1977 under the guidance of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Since then it has been registering approved qualifications after rigorous evaluation.
At the end of 1999, the rules were changed in such a way that those certifications created by Zen-Noh-Ren members can play more important roles in the community, a reflection of the changing times.
In 2002, to address qualifications related to 15 new growth areas (announced by the Cabinet Secretariat in 1997), qualifications certified by Zen-Noh-Ren and created and operated (development, dissemination and verification-related practice) jointly by several member organizations were introduced.