What is the nature of informal interviews conducted by the board?

The nature of informal interviews conducted by the board is best described as confidential meetings about certification or discipline. This is because these interviews are typically intended to discuss sensitive information regarding an applicant's qualifications, certifications, or any disciplinary actions related to their professional conduct. Maintaining confidentiality is crucial in these meetings to ensure that personal and professional details are protected and that applicants can speak freely without fear of public scrutiny or undue judgment.

The other alternatives do not accurately represent the primary purpose of these informal interviews. Public hearings for all applicants would imply a more open and transparent setting, which does not align with the confidential nature of the discussions typically held in informal interviews. Interviews for new board members are specific to organizational recruitment and not related to the certification process of applicants. Mediation sessions between applicants suggest a conflict-resolution scenario that is generally not the focus of the board's informal interviews regarding certification or discipline.