Welcome to ASP Certification Program

Dear ASP Members,

Welcome to the ASP Certification Program.  The purpose of the ASP Certification Program is to establish a high-level of quality and consistency within the strategic planning and management industry so that strategic planners and those responsible for developing and deploying strategy can assist organizations in meeting and exceeding the challenges of the 21st century.  The Program is based on the ASP Standards, Competencies and Body of Knowledge Framework (BOK Framework) which was developed by leaders in the field of strategic planning and management to guide the certification of strategy professionals in the United States as well as internationally. 

ASP offers two certifications, the Level I Strategic Planning Professional (SPP) and the Level II Strategic Management Professional (SMP), and a designation, the Strategic Planning Associate (SPA).  ASP members as well as non-members are eligible to apply for Certification. The Association also qualifies Registered Educational Providers (REPs) to offer courses and programs in strategic planning and management that align with ASP’s BOK Framework, including but not limited to courses to prepare individuals for passing the certification exams.

ASP CERTIFICATION FAMILY OF CREDENTIALS (updated November 2011)

	SMP	SPP	SPA
Credential Title	SMP: Strategic Management Professional Level II	SPP: Strategic Planning Professional Level I	SPA: Strategic Planning Associate
Role	Works with C-Level Executives and their Teams	Works with Executives, Managers, and their Teams	Student, Apprentice, or New to Strategic Planning
Eligibility Requirements	5 years (minimum) as an experienced internal Executive or external Consultant leading multiple Strategic Planning assignments College Graduate or 10 years work experience Holds SPP credential or meets all of its requirements	2 years (minimum) in an internal planning role or as a junior external planning consultant College Graduate or 5 years work experience in strategic planning or related field	Meet ASP criteria for Student membership4 & in last year of a degree program (Undergraduate or Graduate), currently serve in an apprentice role, OR has recently transferred into a planning role Has a senior planning professional mentor, preferably ASP certified No prior experience in Planning nor demonstration of Business Acumen Agree to apply for SPP within 3 years
Application Process: Steps to Obtaining Credential	Submit ASP Qualifying Application and pay Application Fee Upon qualification, submit PTC Test Center Application and pay Exam Fee Take and pass Exam Level II for SMP. Note: ASP Pioneers were Exam Exempt as they created the Exam Questions.	Submit ASP Qualifying Application and pay Application Fee Upon qualification, submit PTC Test Center Application and pay Exam Fee Take and pass Exam Level I for SPP	Submit ASP Qualifying Application and pay Application Fee Upon qualification, submit PTC Test Center Application and pay Exam Fee Take and pass SPP exam to demonstrate knowledge of the field prior to gaining requisite professional experience Partial scholarship may be available
Exam Information: Exam administered for ASP by PTC 1	3 hours and 160 questions SMP Exam covers Level II in ASP BOK Framework	3 hours and 160 questions SMP Exam covers Level I in ASP BOK Framework	3 hours and 160 questions SPA candidate takes SPP Exam, which covers Level I in ASP BOK Framework
Select Member Type	Select Members Non Members	Select Members Non Members	Select Members Non Members
Qualification Application Fee	SMP	SPP	SPA
Candidate Exam Fee	Fee Schedule	Fee Schedule	Fee Schedule
Re-Certification Requirements 2	Every five years, submit an Intention to Recertify Retake Exam or submit 9 CEUs 3 Provide 10 potential SMP Exam Questions on Level II competencies Pay Recertification fee	Every three years, submit an Intention to Recertify Retake Exam or submit 6 CEUs 3 Provide 10 potential SPP Exam Questions on Level I competencies Pay Recertification fee	Credential good for up to three (3) years No Recertification

¹ ASP contracts with Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), an independent third party testing
  service. www.ptcny.com .
² Recertification requirements and fees are currently under review and may be revised as of 2012.
³ Contact Hours Calculation: 1 CEU = 10 contact hours.
   ASP REPs hours are double credit (5 REP contact hours = 1 CEU).
   ASP REPs (i.e. Registered Educational Providers) are independent vendors qualified by ASP to teach its
   Body of Knowledge.
⁴ For student membership criteria, see ASP Student Discount Policy on the ASP Membership/Application webpage.

ASP CERTIFICATION FEE STRUCTURE

Survey Results

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Acknowledgment of Sponsorship for
The ASP Certification Project: 2008-2009-2010

The Association of Strategic Planning (ASP) would like to acknowledge its gratitude and "Thank You" for the individuals, teams and organizations participating and supporting the development of our ASP Certification Program, especially including the following:

Sponsors for the ASP National Standards and Certification Program include: