CERTIFICATION

The Value of Certification

National Institute of Governmental Purchasing

151 Spring Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170; Phone: (703) 736-8900 (800) 367-6447
Main Fax: (703) 736-9644 Education/Membership/Enhanced Services Fax: (703) 736-9639
Web Address: www.nigp.org

The national trend in governmental purchasing is for mandatory certification of procurement personnel. It is a symbol to the taxpayers that the people managing tax dollars have reached a high level of education and experience and are knowledgeable about government purchasing. Governmental purchasing personnel are responsible for and spend approximately 25% of the Gross National Product.

The National Association of State Purchasing Officials (NASPO) and the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) have developed a comprehensive program conferring two certifications under the auspices of the Universal Public Purchasing Certification Council (UPPCC): the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) and the Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO). This dual certification process acknowledges the accomplishments of purchasing personnel at two different levels.

The CPPB requires the applicant to have no less than two years purchasing experience in the public sector and up to four years overall purchasing experience depending on their educational background. The CPPO requires the applicant to have three-to-five years purchasing experience with two-to-four years public sector experience depending on their educational background.

These established standards for certification attest to the ability of the individuals to obtain maximum value for the taxpayers’ dollar.

Realizing that procurement standards and norms should be the same in all public purchasing environments, the certification programs were established to meet the requirements of ALL public purchasing personnel in federal, state and local governments.

To learn more about the NIGP certification program and request an application, call the Education/Certification Department at (703) 736-8900, ext. 236; or e-mail certification@nigp.org.

CPPB/CPPO Certification Requirements:

http://www.nigp.org/certification/CertReqmts.htm