Getting Certified is an investment in yourself and your career.  Certification designations are highly respected and the recognized credentials in the promotional products industry. As the industry benchmarks, they establish your professional credibility to colleagues, clients, employers and peers.

To learn more about certification and how to obtain your CEUs, please visit PPAI's website at:https://www.ppai.org/members/certification/

Begin the evolution of your career with the Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) Certificate!

The PPAI Professional Development Certification Program Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) Certificate is a PPAI Professional Development initiative aimed at providing promotional products professionals with less than three years of industry experience an avenue for earning an industry credential, which is aligned with their entry-level experience, education, and/or achievements.

Components:
The PPAI Professional Development Certification Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) Program is an earned certificate program comprised of the following elements:

• Foundational education program targeted towards promotional products professionals with less than three years of industry experience
• Completed and approved Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) application form
• Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) program fee
• Verification of 25 earned education points from either MAS or CAS-approved courses
• Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) certificate

Criteria:
PPAI Professional Development Certification Trained Adverting Specialist (TAS) Program applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS) Program:

• Possess a current UPIC (www.upic.org) login (registered email address and password)
• Presently serving in a position with a promotional products company

CAS-certification classes serve as a solid foundation for all promotional products professionals, regardless of experience or position within the industry.  Covering basic fundamentals to the most relevant, top-of-mind subjects, the CAS curriculum will arm you with the knowledge you need to successfully grow your business, while positioning yourself as an expert in the industry.  You may customize curriculum to best suit your specific business interests in order to obtain an additional 60 points toward your CAS certification.

Points required for Certification:75 points (15 required points; 60 additional points)
Prerequisites:3 years industry experience

Requirements:
1.) Required courses - 15 points:

• (PPI) Promotional Products Industry Overview Part 1 & Part 2 - 3 points*
• (PRO) Promotional Programs Part 1 & 2 - 3 points*
• (BEP) Best Practices/Supplier-Distributor Relations - 3 points*
• (ADV) Advertising and Marketing Overview - 3 points*
• (ART)sm@rtArtwork Guidelines - 1.5 points*
• (ETH) Ethics - 1.5 points*

2.) Additional 60 points

• Classes, webinars, books (individuals can customize their additional course of study to maximize the learning experience by focusing on areas of growth or expertise.  Classes, books or webinars must be industry relevant with topics concerning business management, technology sales, marketing, personal and professional development.)
• Industry service - Maximum of 5 points for industry service

3.) Submit request to verify requirements are met and you are ready to take the exam

(*Required classes available through PPAI On Demand Program at: ondemand.ppa.org)

Examination:
1.) Submit exam registration form with $225 payment to PPAI Certification

2.) Pass 150-question multiple choice exam (content from six required courses and industry experience)

Certification Expiration:  3 years from certification date

Recertification:
Complete an additional 25 points every 3 years (after initial CAS certification or recertification date)

• Points may be earned by attending live industry classes, books, audiotape/CD and online learning programs.
• Maximum of 10 points may be earned through industry service
• Remain active in industry
• No required courses
• MAS or CAS level classes qualify for recertification
• No examination
• Payment of recertification fee ($75)

MAS-certification classes provide additional growth and knowledge of the promotional products industry.  By continuing to provide you with relevant and timely industry information, your MAS certification helps you maintain the highest standards of professionalism, knowledge and expertise.

Points Required for Certification:175 points (75 points required for CAS; 100 MAS-level points)
Prerequisites:5 years industry experience

Requirements:
1.) All MAS-level courses (classes, books or webinars must be industry relevant with topics concerning business management, technology, sales, marketing, personal and professional development.

• No required courses (Individuals can customize MAS course of study to maximize the learning experience by focusing on areas of growth or expertise relevant to the industry.)
• No more than 25 points from self-paced programs, books or independent learning programs.

2.) Industry Service - Minimum of 1 point and maximum 15 points.

• Credit given for approved industry volunteering or sharing expertise through presenting and developing education sessions.

Demonstrate Achievement and Expertise:
1.) Submit MAS application form with $225 payment to PPAI certification
2.) Choose one of three options to demonstrate expertise:

• Pass a comprehensive 150-question multiple-choice exam that covers a wide range of general industry knowledge
• Develop and present an approved workshop, seminar or training program for a PPAI or regional event after receiving CAS designation
• Write a paper or article on a business topic that is published in a pre-approved insutry publication with minimum of 2,500 wors after receiving CAS designation

Certification Expiration:  3 years from certification date

Recertification:
Complete additional 25 points every three years

• Points may be earned by attending live industry classes, books, audiotape/CD and online learning programs
• Maximum of 10 points may be earned through industry service
• Remain active in industry
• No required courses
• MAS or CAS level classes qualify for recertification
• No examination
• Payment of recertification fee ($75)

Culminate your promotional products professional career by earning the Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) designation!

The PPAI Professional Development Certification Program Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) Certification is a PPAI Professional Development Certification initiative aimed at providing veteran promotional products professionals with at least seven years of industry experience an avenue for earning an industry certification that demonstrates their advanced proficiency of promotional products industry concepts and business practices.

Criteria:
The PPAI Professional Development Certification Program Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) Certification applicants must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible for the PPAI Professional Development Certification Program Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) Certification.

• Presently serving in a position with a promotional products company and with at least seven years of verifiable promotional products industry experience
• Have earned a minimum of 225 MAS or CAS education points (as it is reflected in the candidate’s PPAI Certification Transcript (50 points must have been earned within the last five years)
• Posses a detailed work product which demonstrates the candidates advanced knowledge of promotional products industry concepts and business practices
• Acceptable projects may include (but are not limited to)
• Submission of Pyramid Award entry (distributor)
• A business plan
• A sales campaign
• A marketing program or campaign for a client (distributor)
• Tradeshow plan (supplier)
• Plan for Product Safety compliance (supplier)
• Projects which are not generally regarded as acceptable, includes
• Volunteer service
• A course or seminar delivered on behalf of the industry
• Possess a current UPIC (www.upic.org) login (registered email address and password)
  

Project Submission Process

1.   Expected time from MAS+ Application to approval is generally four-five weeks

2.   Candidate completes the MAS+ Application

3.   PPAI sends a confirmation email to candidate notifying that PPAI is evaluating the application

4.   The completed Application is reviewed by the Certification Committee for pre-approval

5.   PPAI sends a confirmation email to the candidate notifying them of the Committee’s pre-approval of the project

6.   Candidate pays the MAS+ Evaluation Fee when submitting MAS+ Work Project Submittal Form

7.   PPAI sends a confirmation email to candidate notifying that PPAI is evaluating the Project

8.   PPAI notifies the candidate when their project is approved