UPPCC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR CPPB/CPPO CERTIFICATION

Certification is the process by which the public purchaser demonstrates a standard of competency for the benefit of the public.  Certification reflects established standards and competencies for those engaged in governmental purchasing, and attests to the purchaser's ability to obtain maximum value for the taxpayer's dollar.

 

The trend in governmental purchasing is for mandatory certification of procurement professionals.  The Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) certifications communicate to the taxpayer that the public employee who manages tax dollars has reached a specific level of education and experience and is knowledgeable about government purchasing.

 

Eligibility

UPPCC has introduced new certification eligibility requirements effective January 1, 2014. Click here to access the new requirements.

 

The UPPCC programs are designed specifically for the public procurement professionals. Only those individuals who have public purchasing experience are eligible. The programs include three essential components for eligibility:

■Work experience

■Coursework in procurement

■Formal education

 

Unlike most purchasing-related certification programs, the Council requires substantial work experience in purchasing which must include years of public purchasing experience. This work experience must be complemented by formal training courses specifically in procurement as well as formal education; with some college work preferred for a CPPB designation and a college degree required for CPPO candidates who do not hold a CPPB designation.

 

The requirements for work experience and formal coursework are dependent upon the amount of formal college education achieved by the candidate at the time of application.

 

Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) - Eligibility Schedules

Schedule A High School Diploma or GED 96 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 5 years total purchasing experience which must include 3 years of public purchasing experience Schedule B Associate's degree 96 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 4 years total purchasing experience which must include 3 years of public purchasing experience Schedule C Bachelor's degree 48 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 2 years of public purchasing experience Schedule D Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) 24 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 2 years of public purchasing experience   Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) – Eligibility Schedules Schedule A Holder of CPPB Designation 144 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 8 years total purchasing experience which must include 6 years of public purchasing experience, 3 of which are in a public purchasing management function Schedule B Bachelor's degree 48 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 3 years total purchasing experience which must include 2 years in a public purchasing management function Schedule C Advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) 24 contact hours in purchasing seminars/courses 3 years total purchasing experience which must include 2 years in a public purchasing management function Body of knowledge:   http://www.uppcc.org/become_certified/cppb_body_knowledge.aspx Certification Website:   www.uppcc.org Certification email:   certification@uppcc.org Exam Schedule: http://uppcc.org/certified/schedule.aspx For detailed information regarding the certification programs, application requirements and examination specifics, please download the current Handbook for Certification and Certification Application at http://www.uppcc.org/become_certified/forms.aspx