UPPCC CERTIFICATION: Today and Tomorrow…

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

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

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

4. 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 Composition

5. 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

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

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

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

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

10. 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

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

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

13. 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

14. 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 CPPB Candidate Eligibility (cont.)

15. 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

16. 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

17. The Application Process • Document Formal Education • Document Experience • Document Coursework

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

19. Purchasing Experience • Official Position Descriptions • Working Position Descriptions

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

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

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

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

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

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

28. 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

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

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

31. 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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

32. 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

33. 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%

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

35. 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%

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

37. 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% Side-by-side ComparisonCPPBCPPO

38. 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

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

40. 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

41. 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

42. 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

43. 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

44. 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

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

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