UPPCC CERTIFICATION: Today and Tomorrow… Presented by: Kirk W. Buffington, CPPO, C.P.M., MBA First Vice President National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

Agenda Who is the UPPCC? Goals & Benefits of Certification UPPCC Certification Offerings Current Certification Process 2008 Certification Process Questions

Who is the UPPCC? Created in 1978 by NIGP and NASPO Composed of 2 separate volunteer bodies: –The Governing Board –The Board of Examiners

UPPCC Composition Governing Board 3 - NIGP 3 - NASPO 2 advisory members 2 academicians NIGP & NASPO Executive Directors Board of Examiners 4 - NIGP 4 - NASPO 2 per: CAPPO, FAPPO, NAEP & NPI 2 advisory members Prometric

UPPCC Headquarters HQ Offices – Washington, DC Metro Area –Professional Staff Program Administrator – Ann Peshoff Certification Coordinator – Kitty Campbell Certification Analyst – Charles Tedesco, CPPO –Consultant Staff Professional Testing Agency - Prometric

Goals of Certification Increases professionalism in a field of practice by: –Identifying a Body of Knowledge –Establishing a specific level of knowledge and experience –3 rd Party verification of qualifications: Application Examination

Benefits of Certification Professional Recognition Increased Credibility Increased Self-Confidence Increased Knowledge Enhances Value of Professional to the Employer

Benefits of Certification (cont.) Career Advancement Competitive Marketing Advantage

UPPCC Certifications “Only globally recognized certifications specifically designed for government purchasing professionals”

UPPCC Certification Offerings Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO) Supervisors of public purchasers/buyers OR Managers of public purchasing function First certificate issued in 1964 Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) Perform public purchasing functions (buyers) Non-managerial or supervisory First certificate issued in 1991

Process Overview Demonstrate eligibility via the application Application review Upon approval, schedule exam STUDY!!!! Pass the required examination(s) Recertify every 5 years Demonstrate eligibility via the application Application review Upon approval, schedule exam STUDY!!!! Pass the required examination(s) Recertify every 5 years

Eligibility Requirements Formal Education Public Purchasing Work Experience Purchasing-Related Coursework/Training

CPPB Candidate Eligibility Schedule A –High School/GED –96 contact hours –5 yrs purchasing experience –3 yrs in public sector Schedule B –Associate’s Degree –96 contact hours –4 yrs purchasing experience –3 yrs in public sector

CPPB Candidate Eligibility (cont.) Schedule C –Bachelor’s Degree –48 contact hours –2 yrs public purchasing experience Schedule D –Advanced Degree –24 contact hours –2 yrs public purchasing experience

CPPO Candidate Eligibility Schedule A –CPPB Certification –144 contact hours –8 yrs purchasing experience –6 yrs public sector –3 yrs in public sector management function Schedule B –Bachelor’s Degree –48 contact hours –3 yrs purchasing experience –3 yrs public sector –2 yrs in public sector management function

CPPO Candidate Eligibility (cont.) Schedule C –Advanced Degree –24 contact hours –3 yrs purchasing experience –2 yrs public sector –2 yrs in public sector management function

The Application Process Document Formal Education Document Experience Document Coursework

Formal Education Official Sealed Transcript issued by College or University Document only highest level achieved

Purchasing Experience Official Position Descriptions Working Position Descriptions

Coursework Higher Education Level –Procurement-Related Topics –24 hours for each 3 credit hour course –Formal sealed transcript as documentation Other Coursework –Procurement Specific Topic –1 hour for each classroom hour –Completion certificates as documentation

Application Process (cont.) Applications valid for 2 years –Allows sufficient time for approved applicants to complete the examination(s) –Allows sufficient time for denied applicants to re-apply without incurring additional application fees

Application Review Verify applicant meets eligibility req’s All requirements must be met at the time of application 4-6 weeks processing time Application Deadlines – current exams –C.P.M. Bridge: September 21, 2008 –CPPO/CPPB: March 31, 2008

CPPB Examination Format - current Pencil & Paper 240 questions, 4 hrs C.P.M. Bridge: 50 questions, 1 hr 2 nd Monday and 3 rd Friday monthly Self-scheduled Take individually or as a group 70% or better needed to pass

CPPB Test Specifications – current Administrative Aspects of Purchasing – 6% Procurement Requests – 15% Solicitation and Evaluation – 16% Supplier Analysis – 6% Negotiation Process – 11%

CPPB Test Specs (cont.) – current Contract Award & Administration – 15% External/Internal Relationships – 17% Material Flow – 8% Inventory Management – 3% Miscellaneous – 3%

CPPO Examination Format - current 2 Part Process Written Exam –Pencil & Paper –240 questions, 4 hrs –Self–scheduled –70% to pass

CPPO Examination (cont.) - current Oral Exam –Panel of 3 CPPOs –33 questions –90 minutes C.P.M. Bridge: only take oral exam

CPPO Examination (cont.) - current Evaluation of Candidate –Each panelist rates candidate individually –Comprehension, application of subject matter, delivery skills, communication skills and ability to solve problems and react to situations –Scale 0 – 5 (opportunity for 495 points max) –70% or better needed to pass

CPPO Test Specifications – current Administrative Aspects of Purchasing – 10% Procurement Requests – 9% Solicitation and Evaluation – 15% Supplier Analysis – 5% Negotiation Process – 8%

CPPO Test Specs (cont.) – current Contract Award & Administration – 11% External/Internal Relationships – 17% Personnel Issues – 17% Forecasting/Strategies – 8%

Exam Preparation Review the areas from the content outline Self assess your strengths and weaknesses Focus your study efforts on your weak areas, but touch on all areas Review the UPPCC suggested resources STUDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Highlights of Changes for 2008 New Test Specifications –Job Analysis Study –Over 1,800 participated New Question Format No Oral Requirement for CPPO Semi-Annual Computer-Based Exams –October & May

2008 CPPB Test Specs – Appendix B Administrative Aspects of Purchasing – 19% Procurement Requests – 17% Solicitation & Evaluations of Bids & Proposals – 20% Supplier Analysis – 8% Negotiation Process – 3% Contract Award and Administration – 18% External/Internal Relationships – 9% Materiels Management – 2% Human Resources/Personnel – 2% Forecasting & Strategies – 2%

CPPB Test Specs – What changed? Inventory Management and Materials Management combined Human Resources/Personnel and Forecasting & Strategies added Miscellaneous category deleted

2008 CPPO Test Specifications Administrative Aspects of Purchasing – 15% Procurement Requests – 8% Solicitation & Evaluations of Bids & Proposals – 10% Supplier Analysis – 7% Negotiation Process – 8% Contract Award and Administration – 10% External/Internal Relationships – 15% Materiels Management – 3% Human Resources/Personnel – 14%

CPPO Test Specs – What changed? Materiels Management added Personnel Issues renamed Human Resources/Personnel

Side-by-side Comparison CPPBCPPO Admin – 19% Procurement Req – 17% Bids & Prop – 20% Supplier Analyst – 8% Negotiations – 3% Contract Award – 18% Relationships – 9% Materiels Mgmt – 2% HR – 2% Forecasting – 2% Admin – 15% Procurement Req – 8% Bids & Prop – 10% Supplier Analyst – 7% Negotiations – 8% Contract Award – 10% Relationships – 15% Materiels Mgmt – 3% HR – 14% Forecasting – 10%

New Exam Format Situational Questions Higher-cognitive level 175 multiple choice questions, 4 options 3.5 hours of testing, no scheduled break No oral exam requirement for CPPO

Computer-Based Testing (CBT) Prometric Professional Testing Centers –Approx. 400 centers in North America –Two 6-day testing windows (Mon-Sat) –October & May annually

Benefits of CBT Greater Efficiencies –Candidates will schedule exams via the web or phone directly with Prometric –Exam candidates will no longer be required to coordinate their own testing –“Going Green!” - Paperless exams and registration process

Benefits of CBT Enhanced Security –Secure check-in procedures –Greater control over access to exams Reduced chance of exams being lost in transit Reduced chance of the exams being exposed –Professionally trained proctors

Benefits of CBT Consistent experience for candidates Provides UPPCC with more and better data –Improved test analysis –Facilitates continuous improvement of exams –Allows for enhanced score reporting and candidate feedback

Score Reporting Confirmation of testing provided at testing center Statistical flags and candidate comments reviewed and addressed prior to scoring Final scores to candidates will include performance indicators by topic area Final report of each administration communicated to the profession to facilitate professional development

Important Dates – current programs March 30, 2008: Last day to apply, current exams July 31, 2008: Last day to take written exams September 21, 2008: Last day to apply for C.P.M. Bridge December 31, 2008: Last day to take orals

Important Dates – new programs July 21, 2008: Application deadline September 15, 2008: Registration deadline October 20-25, 2008: Testing

Questions? Your Certification Resource: Learn more about: Eligibility Requirements, Application Process, Program Enhancements, New Test Specifications, Computer-Based Testing, etc. NEW RESOURCES AND INFO ADDED DAILY!