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Terms Of Use: Certification Management System (CertMS)

I. Acceptance of Terms

UPPCC provides certification testing for public procurement professionals at two levels:  Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and Certified Public Procurement Official (CPPO).  This system is used to apply for certification, maintain certification, and track certification requirements toward certification and recertification. 

By using the services provided by the UPPCC, you agree to the following Terms of Use.  Please read all terms and conditions carefully.  By utilizing said services, you agree to the collection, use, and sharing of your personal data.  The UPPCC’s CertMS system launches through the UPPCC website.  Terms of Use for the UPPCC website may be found at https://www.uppcc.org/Terms.

UPPCC may modify these Terms of Use and the Data Governance Policy, and should we make material changes, we will provide notice to you and afford you the opportunity to review the changes before they become effective.  If you object to the changes, you have the option to close your account; however, deletion of personal data required for certification may result in the inability to be certified or recertified.  Continued use of the system after changes to the Terms of Use are posted means that you are consenting to said updates. 

II. Collection of Information

Creating an Account

By creating an account within the CertMS system, you are providing to the UPPCC personal information including, but not limited to:  name, address, email, and password.

The information you provide and maintain in the CertMS system shall be accurate, true, and complete.  You have the right and responsibility to update any incorrect or out of date information in a timely manner.  Provision of erroneous information may result in the failure to receive important updates and information about certification and/or recertification.  Users may update their account by visiting their profile, making changes, and saving the changes.

By creating an account, you agree and acknowledge that you are over 18 years of age. 

Users with accounts inactive for a period of six, (6), or more years are subject to deletion.  This includes all information stored as a part of your profile including educational transcripts.

Account Privacy

You agree that password and log in information for access to the system is your responsibility and shall not be shared with anyone.  You also agree to log out of the system at the end of each use.  Additionally, you agree to notify the UPPCC of any unauthorized account use as the UPPCC is not liable for any damages as a result from such unauthorized use or from failure to comply with this section. 

Profile

Your account allows you to create a profile.  Some information contained in your profile is required at the time of application; however, additional personal data may be stored in the system by you until you choose to apply for certification.  You control the information entered into your profile by choosing what you enter into the system.  You may choose to enter additional information about yourself such as your education, work experience, training and professional development, etc.  which will be required at the time of application and other optional information such as a picture, your phone number, etc.  By entering this information into the system, you agree that the optional personal data shall be treated in accordance with these Terms of Use.

Application

When you apply for certification or recertification, UPPCC collects personal data which allows us to verify your identity, credentials, and eligibility for certification or recertification.  Providing false information on the UPPCC application may result in disqualification from the examination and may result in the cancellation of your account in the CertMS system. 

III. Data Use

As a part of the application process, the UPPCC uses the personal information you provide via the CertMS system to verify your identity and to review your eligibility for certification including, but not limited to:  education transcripts, employment experiences, and professional contributions. 

If you are requesting a discount from the testing fee based on your membership with the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) your membership status will be verified by sharing your personal information with NIGP’s membership system.   If you are requesting a discount from the testing fee based on your membership with the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), your personal information will be shared with them for the purpose of verifying your membership. 

This verification includes:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Member Number (for NIGP Member verification only)

IV. Payment

Electronic payment for application for certification and/or recertification is taken and managed in the CertMS system and processed by third party financial institutions.  The sharing of this personal data is restricted to only that which is required to process the payment and maintained in accordance with all U.S. legal requirements for financial transactions. 

V. Testing

Upon approval of your application for certification, UPPCC transfers portions of your personal data to Prometric, UPPCC’s test administration supplier, to enable you to schedule a testing appointment. 

This data includes:

  • Name
  • Address
  • Telephone Number
  • Email Address
  • Identification Number
  • Date of Birth
  • Special Testing Accommodations (if applicable and requested)

Upon examination, Prometric transfers User data back to the CertMS system to confirm your exam has been scheduled, transfers your exam results, and shares other information needed for the business administration of your test. 

This data includes:

  • Scoring information
  • Post exam administration survey responses

VI. Certification

Upon receipt of certification, you agree that the UPPCC may publicly release your name, designation received, city, state/province, country, certification number, certification issue date, certification status, and certification expiration date.  

VII. Recertification

You also agree that the UPPCC may use information collected during the certification process to notify you with information about recertification such as:  expiration of current certification, recertification processes/procedures, changes to policies and terms, etc. 

IX. Other Data Uses

You agree that the data collected from you in the CertMS system may be used by the UPPCC as business intelligence to enhance user experience by improving products and services offered.  Additionally, you agree that the UPPCC may also leverage collective, non-user specific, demographic information for the marketing of UPPCC products and services to the public procurement market.

The UPPCC uses the data collected to investigate, respond, and resolve customer issues which includes any security investigations, fraud, or other violations of this agreement.  This may include third parties contracted to assist with the resolution of these issues. 

In addition to personal data collected for certification, you will be provided the opportunity to consent to leveraging your personal information for other business purposes of the UPPCC.  You must agree to each of these opportunities independently, and you will have the right to opt out of participation at any time.  These opportunities include but are not limited to:  special research projects, marketing, certification resources, etc.  Failure to agree to the use of your personal data for this purpose shall not affect your ability to apply for and/or receive certification.

X. Data Sharing

Service Delivery

UPPCC contracts with the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) for the daily administration of UPPCC’s business functions.  In the execution of these functions, you agree that UPPCC may share collected data for said purposes in the execution of the services provided. 

Additionally, UPPCC contracts with third party suppliers in the fulfillment of service delivery.  You agree to allow UPPCC to share your personal data limited to the fulfillment of the service and understand that the UPPCC will require that all third-party suppliers abide by UPPCC’s data governance requirements via contractual agreement in the execution of said fulfillment. 

Partner Organizations

UPPCC also partners with other public procurement organizations such as the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) to grow and enhance the public procurement profession.  As such, you will also be given opportunity to consent to the UPPCC sharing of your personal data with these organizations.  This will include the purpose, use, and storage of your personal data.  You must agree to each of these opportunities independently, and you will have the right to opt out of participation at any time.  These opportunities include but are not limited to:  certification recognition at organization events, notification of educational courses and offerings, research, and marketing.  Failure to agree to sharing of your personal data shall not impact your ability to apply for and/or receive certification. 

The UPPCC requires that all partner organizations abide by the UPPCC’s data governance requirements via contractual agreement for all data sharing. 

XI. Legal Disclosures

It is possible that UPPCC will need to disclose information about you when required by law, subpoena, or other legal process or if we have in good faith belief that disclosure is reasonably necessary to 1.) investigate, prevent, or take action regarding suspected ethics violations, actual illegal activities, or to assist government enforcement agencies; 2.) enforce our agreement with you; 3.) investigate and defend ourselves against any third-party claims or allegations; 4.) protect the security or integrity of our services; 5.) exercise the rights and safety of UPPCC, you, personnel or others.  We will attempt to notify you about any legal demands for personal data when appropriate in our judgement, unless prohibited by a court of law or court order or when the request is an emergency. 

UPPCC, our suppliers, and or partners do not share or sell your personal data with third parties for their direct marketing purposes without your permission. 

XII. Data Storage

You agree that the UPPCC will retain the personal information provided to provide services.  You have the right to request that your account be deleted; however, the UPPCC will retain information which is reasonably necessary to meet accreditation standards, meet regulatory requirements, resolve disputes, maintain security, prevent fraud or abuse, or enforce this agreement.   This information is maintained in perpetuity. 

XIII. Data Subject Rights

The UPPCC is committed to collecting, using, and storing your personal data in a safe and protected manner.  As such, you are entitled to the following rights:

1.) Access:  You may request access to all personal data collected, used, or stored by UPPCC or shared with its third-party suppliers and partner organizations.  Due to the nature of the certification process, some information collected by the UPPCC, such as raw scores, total testing time, etc., cannot be disclosed to the candidate as a part of the access request.  

2.) Accuracy:  You may request any personal data collected, used, or stored by the UPPCC or shared with its third-party suppliers and partner organizations be amended to correct for accuracy. 

3.) Portability:  You may request any personal data collected, used, or stored by the UPPCC or shared with its third-party suppliers and partner organizations be provided to you in a portable electronic format. 

4.) Deletion:  You may request that any personal data collected, used, or stored by the UPPCC or shared with its third-party suppliers and partner organizations be deleted. However, deletion of personal data which is required as a part of the certification process may result in the inability for you to be certified or recertified. 

XIV. Contact Information

For questions concerning these terms of use, to request access to, alteration of, portability of or deletion of your personal data, please contact the UPPCC at:  [email protected].

Approved: 7/11/2018