UPPCC Announces New Certification Examinations in 2008: Delayed Eligibility Option No Longer Appropriate

September 22, 2006 - Today the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) announced plans to introduce new examinations for its public sector procurement certification offerings; Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) in 2008.

The announcement comes on the heels of the UPPCC's first Item (Question) Writing Workshop that it offered exclusively to current CPPO and CPPB certified individuals. Over 100 certificants participated in the workshop held August 5 in Tampa, Florida and over 600 new examination questions were produced by this group. The UPPCC plans to offer question writing workshops on a regular basis to current certificants who are interested in contributing to the on-going success of the certification programs. Questions produced during these workshops will be used in building the new exams.

Workshop participants received specialized instruction on how to develop high-quality, situational test questions. Among testing professionals, the situational-type question is the preferred method for assessing a candidate's knowledge, skills, and abilities for the purposes of professional certification. Situational questions require candidates to use a combination of skills which includes practical on-the-job experience and textbook preparation/study. The UPPCC will introduce the new examinations for CPPO and CPPB in 2008 which will consist largely of situational questions.

"The UPPCC is committed to continuously upgrading the content and the quality of our examinations as we strive to become the globally accepted certification(s) for public purchasing professionals" said UPPCC Council Chairman Don Buffum, CPPO. "We've consulted with the best in the professional credentialing field and will be building the new exams and enhancing the overall programs based on best practices in certification."

The UPPCC is also implementing necessary programmatic changes in anticipation of the new examinations. Since 2002 the UPPCC has offered applicants the option of applying for certification under delayed eligibility status. This status has allowed individuals to take the certification examination(s) prior to fully meeting experience and/or coursework requirements. If successful on the examination(s), the UPPCC withholds the certification until all requirements are met. Delayed eligibility status has allowed applicants to pursue certification and earn practical experience and coursework hours simultaneously.

With the introduction of situational questions into the new examinations in 2008, it will be essential for all exam candidates to possess the prescribed practical experience listed in the appropriate eligibility schedule prior to sitting for the examination. Therefore, the practice of applying under delayed eligibility is being phased out of the UPPCC application process. "The Council is dedicated to ensuring that all candidates are given equal opportunity to be successful in their certification endeavors, thus we feel it our responsibility to ensure that all applicants have met all eligibility requirements including education hours and experience before testing occurs," added Buffum.

What does this mean for candidates "in process" under Delayed Eligibility? Individuals with applications on file under delayed eligibility will be permitted to continue based on the previous delayed eligibility policy under which the individual applied.

If it becomes necessary for those applicants to reapply, the program policies in effect at the time of re-application will apply. All current candidates in delayed eligibility status will receive correspondence from UPPCC staff confirming their status as well as identifying any outstanding experience and/or coursework requirements within thirty (30) calendar days of this announcement.

What does this mean for new applicants for certification requesting Delayed Eligibility? Delayed eligibility will be phased out over the coming year. Though new applicants may still apply under delayed eligibility status through August 31, 2007, they should recognize that any outstanding experience or coursework requirements must be met by the end of the phase out period of August 31, 2007. As of September 1, 2007 any applicant applying for UPPCC certifications must fully meet all eligibility requirements at the time of application.

Certification fees will remain the same, however those applicants who cannot qualify and will no longer have the option of delaying eligibility may request a partial refund of certification fees. Certification fees (application, initial exam(s), and administrative fees) are combined into one payment payable to UPPCC at the time of application. However, in the event the application is not approved, the applicant may receive a refund representative of the portion associated with the examination fee(s).

The "Handbook for Professional Certification in Public Procurement" has been updated to reflect the changes in this announcement and is available on the forms page of the new UPPCC Website. Applicants for certification must utilize the current edition of the application (September 2006) and are responsible for program policies and procedures as outlined in the current Handbook (September 2006).

For more information please visit the Frequently Asked Questions on the UPPCC website.

The Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC) is an independent entity formed to govern and administer the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification programs.

The CPPO and CPPB programs are highly regarded and respected among procurement professionals and employers involved in the public sector. To date, the UPPCC has certified well over 10,000 professionals primarily within the US and Canada as well as in other nations around the globe.