IAPC CERTIFICATION - Reserved for Experienced Professionals in an Established Protocol-Related Career
The IAPC COUNCIL FOR CERTIFICATION (COUNCIL), a division of the International Association of Protocol Consultants®/Officers, is focused intently on serving the experienced professional (in an established protocol-related career) who is interested in pursuing the IAPC Certified Protocol Consultant® CPC® | Certified Protocol Officer® CPO®.
The COUNCIL springs from the broad experience of its parent, the International Association of Protocol Consultants® / Officers, which has operated successfully as a non-profit 501(c)6 organization for seven years.
IAPC CERTIFICATION As a third-party standard-setting nonprofit organization, IAPC offers a voluntary credentialing process - Certified Protocol Consultant® and Certified Protocol Officer®. Our certification program sets forth SEVEN levels of assessment and is reserved for experienced professionals. The SEVEN levels of assessment include: documenting experience, education, achievements, industry involvement, professional development, peer recognition, and the successful completion of an examination.
The CPC® and CPO® designations are awarded to candidates who meet rigorous but fair and equitable eligibility requirements, agree to support a professional code of ethics, and adhere to all certification policies.
BENEFITS INCLUDE the rights to use the IAPC United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) Registered Certified Protocol Consultant® CPC® or Certified Protocol Officer® CPO® designations on letterhead, business cards, and all forms and addresses; the honor to be featured in an IAPC Headquarters Press Release distributed to a select target group of reporters and editors, as desired; the opportunity to refresh and increase knowledge in functional areas of business/government/military and international protocol, executive etiquette and civility; the leverage of having honed skills to play a more influential leadership role; the chance to think more strategically and be more confident.
WHY WAS THIS PROGRAM DEVELOPED The CPC® and CPO® programs were developed as a way to recognize individuals for outstanding achievements and aim to increase professionalism overall by: identifying a core body of knowledge in protocol, etiquette and civility; reflecting a certificate holder's attainment of education, experience, and professional development; and demonstrating a certificant's commitment to the profession and lifelong learning .
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR THE CPC® and CPO® Individuals working in protocol or protocol-related professions for the equivalent of three years full time protocol experience/employment and a Bachelor Degree or higher, or four years full time protocol experience/employment and an Associate Degree, or six years full time protocol experience/employment without a degree. In addition, an individual must have been employed in a qualifying professional capacity within the past twelve (12) months; pledge adherence to the IAPC Code of Ethics and Confidentiality Agreement; commit to continuous education and professional development.
BASIC STEPS
STEP 1: Initiate Certification
Submit a short summary (150 words or less) of your professional aspirations and a one page resume to IAPC Headquarters, Attn: Cherlynn Conetsco, CPC® and Chair, IAPC Certification, Post Office Box 6150 McLean, Virginia 22106-6150. Your subject line should be "Statement of Intent to Pursue Certification." The first line should include your full name, as in "Jane Doe's goals for pursuing Certification are..." Bullet points are fine. This critical analysis /self-evaluation process allows you to clarify your personal objectives in seeking Certification.
The following supporting documents must also be submitted to IAPC in SEALED envelopes that have been signed/stamped across the back: Work Experience Verification (see, "Who is Eligible" above) and Three (3) Letters of Reference. Please provide contact information, including name, title, company/agency, address and telephone number.
STEP 2A: Enroll in and successfully complete the --- IAPC MASTER CLASS in LEADERSHIP - Civility, Country-Specific Do's & Taboos, and International Protocol --- all former graduates of IAPC "Mastering International Protocol," please contact headquarters. The program encompasses readings, onsite group projects, and a student assessment. See: Executive Education
Recommended Readings: Roger Axtell, Do's & Taboos Around the World -- A Best-selling Guide to International Behavior (3rd Edition); Letitia Baldrige, Letitia Baldrige's New Manners for New Times: A Complete Guide to Etiquette; Dr. P.M. Forni, Choosing Civility: The 25 Rules of Considerate Conduct; Judith Martin, Miss Manners' Guide to Excruciatingly Correct Behavior (Freshly Updated) and Peggy Post and Peter Post, The Etiquette Advantage in Business, Personal Skills for Professional Success (2nd Edition).
Prior to class participation, applicant will Complete, Sign and Return the Official APPLICATION for Certification.
$5000USD Your total certification investment includes the IAPC MASTER CLASS | Civility | Essential Do's & Taboos | International Protocol --- 1 day prerequisite program, portfolio review, assessment/examination, candidate handbook, and the official application for certification. Your investment also helps to offset the cost for: opening and maintaining the official Certification Dossier for a period of three years; portfolio review by the Certification Council assessors; a formal evaluation; certification award (if all requirements have been met); membership/on-going support, and the rights to use IAPC's USPTO registered CPC® or CPO® appellation for a period of three years.
STEP 3: Examination and Portfolio Assessment - IAPC's Certification Council validates the candidate's qualifications and achievements in international protocol.
STEP 4: Appellation Awarded - The Certified Protocol Consultant® (CPC®) and Certified Protocol Officer® (CPC®) are IAPC's professional designations attesting to the candidate's education, experience, and qualifications.
STEP 5: Recertification
Initial certification is valid for three years ending on December 31st of the third year following an official Award of Certification. To maintain CPC® or CPO® status, certificants must recertify every three years. Recertification is based on evidence of continued employment in the protocol and etiquette (or protocol and etiquette related) industry and applicable continuous education.
Q. What is involved in recertification? A. Every three years certificants are required to recertify to maintain the CPC® or CPO® designation by documenting ongoing involvement in the industry, continued employment, and education. To be recertified, CPC® and CPO®'s must complete a recertification application. Recertification requirements are consistent with those for the original application. Typically, the first recertification notifications are mailed to CPC® and CPO®'s during the first quarter of the expiring year.
If a certificant fails to recertify within the appropriate guidelines, permission to use the appellation will be rescinded. Unauthorized use of a registered trademark is a copyright infringement.
After 3 Years / Recertification
$ 500 US Applicant $ 750 International Applicant
NOTE: English as a Second Language: The CPC® and CPO® HANDBOOK and APPLICATION are presented in the English language only. APPLICATIONS must be completed in English.
How are the Certified Protocol Consultant (CPC®) and Certified Protocol Officer (CPO® ) programs governed?
The Certification Council (designated by IAPC but separate from the IAPC Board of Directors) has developed, and oversees the CPC® and CPO® programs. The Certification Council volunteers time to ensure the validity, credibility, and continuing prestige of the CPC® and CPO® programs. In addition, the Certification Council seeks to represent the diversity within the profession and serves as an important voice for stakeholders dedicated to maintaining the highest industry standards.
"As meetings expand globally, protocol is becoming a key element to every successful event. The Convention Industry Council commends the International Association of Protocol Consultants® / Officers (IAPC) on undertaking the appropriate course to establish the IAPC Certification programs. IAPC's approach to educational programs reinforces their dedication to increasing the professionalism of our industry and their role as active participants."
- - - Mary E. Power, Former President, Convention Industry Council (CIC)
DISCLAIMER: Certification requirements, including eligibility criteria, assessment methodologies, recertification, program expiration, and fees are subject to change. Applicants, candidates, and certificants must meet requirements current at the time of initial application, certification, or recertification, and must agree to abide by all IAPC policies.
USPTO | REGISTERED MARKS
International Association of Protocol Consultants®, Certified Protocol Consultant®, CPC®, Certified Protocol Officer®, and CPO® are Service Marks filed and registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
IAPC | Civility, Country-Specific Do's and Taboos, and International Protocol | Washington DC
International Association of Protocol Consultants®, Certified Protocol Consultant®, CPC®, Certified Protocol Officer®, and CPO® are Service Marks filed and registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office.