Frequently Asked Questions

Why Certification?

What is Certification?

How might Certification benefit you?

What are the requirements for Certification?

Does completing a certificate program qualify me for
the Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) designation?

When can I apply?

What is not required?

Who can attest to my performance?

What are the 10 Standards of Performance Technology?

Who developed the Standards and the requirements for Certification?

Have the Standards been validated?

What is the Code of Ethics?

How will proficiency be assessed?

Who will be the reviewers?

What do you get once you are certified?

Can an application be submitted in a language other than English?

What happens if my CPT application is not approved?

What is the history, mission, and vision of the CPT Certification?

Who is the Certifying body?

How can organizations benefit from the CPT designation?

Who do you contact for questions?

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Consumers and customers are entitled to information that better enables them to discriminate effective from ineffective performance improvement practitioners, products, services, and practices. Practitioners are entitled to a set of standards that better enables them to assess their ability, focus their professional development efforts, and recognize their capability. Prior to the CPT designation, anyone could claim that he or she was a professional in performance improvement and training.

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Certification is a credential that is given to people who satisfy a set of requirements. The International Society for Performance Improvement's certification is performance-based rather than education-based. It recognizes practitioners who have demonstrated proficiency in 10 Standards of Performance Technology in ways that are in keeping with the Code of Ethics. Individuals who receive the Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) designation must be re-certified every three years to maintain the credential.

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A certification says you are a member of a profession. The Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) designation shows that you have demonstrated proficiency in the performance improvement profession. The certification can set you apart from others who have not engaged in the same degree of examination by clients and peers. Once certified, your name will be listed on a registry that is available to potential clients and employers. The CPT designation is an indication that you have met the Standards of Performance Technology as evidenced by your past work and is neither an endorsement of you for future work nor a guarantee of future performance.

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The eligibility requirements include a minimum of three years of experience in performance improvement or related fields, and a detailed description of work performed in multiple projects in a manner that demonstrates the use of each of the Standards with attestations from internal/external clients or supervisors.  A qualified reviewer will review all the documentation received from a candidate and determine if all requirements have been met.

All candidates for the certification must commit to the Code of Ethics. Once certified, performance improvement professionals must apply for re-certification every three years to maintain the CPT designation.

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The answer is no. Certificate programs are designed to show your participation in an educational program around a specific topic area. Selection for the CPT designation is performance-based and requires real-life work examples. The CPT designation recognizes practitioners who have demonstrated proficiency in 10 Standards of Performance Technology in ways that are in keeping with the Code of Ethics. 

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CPT applications are processed twice a year. Your application materials must be received at ISPI by June 15 or November 15, or they will be held until the next processing period.

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Membership in ISPI or any other organization, or the completion of a formal training or education program is not required for certification. However, if you join ISPI or an affiliated organization when you submit your application, you may apply at the member rate.

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Attestation can be made by internal/external clients or supervisors, or individuals who received the Charter Certification (ISPI Members for Life and Gilbert and Outstanding Professional Achievement award recipients). If you have a question about a person's eligibility to attest to your work description, contact certification@ispi.org.

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The 10 Standards of Performance Technology, which are based on four principles and following a systematic process to improve performance, ensure that the Certified Performance Technologist has conducted his or her work in a manner that includes the following:

• Focus on results and help clients focus on results. 
• Look at situations systemically taking into consideration the larger context including competing pressures, resource constraints, and anticipated change. 
• Add value in how you do the work and through the work itself. 
• Utilize partnerships or collaborate with clients and other experts as required. 
• Systematic assessment of the need or opportunity. 
• Systematic analysis of the work and workplace to identify the cause or factors that limit performance.
• Systematic design of the solution or specification of the requirements of the solution.
• Systematic development of all or some of the solution and its elements. 
• Systematic implementation of the solution. 
• Systematic evaluation of the process and the results. 

Click here for a complete copy of the Standards of Performance Technology (124 kb PDF).

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A special taskforce of more than 30 performance improvement professionals from industry, government, and academia as well as independent practitioners was created and headed by Dr. Judith Hale. 

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Yes. Graduate students, under the direction of Dr. James A. Pershing of Indiana University, conducted literature reviews to confirm the Standards of Performance Technology appear in practice. In addition, ISPI will continuously solicit feedback from candidates, those who have been designated as CPTs, and their employers.

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The Code of Ethics is intended to promote ethical practice in the profession. In order to be certified or re-certified, an applicant must sign a statement of agreement with the principles on which the Code is based. The Code of Ethics is based on six principles that guide the performance improvement process: 

• Adding value 
• Using validated practices
• Collaborating with others
• Continuously improving ones proficiency
• Demonstrating integrity
• Upholding confidentiality. 

Click here for a copy of the complete Code of Ethics (58 kb PDF).

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An applicant’s proficiency will be assessed through a combination of a description of past work, attestations by clients or employers, and a review of documents by qualified reviewers

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Reviewers will be CPTs who have received training and guidelines for doing the review. 

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Once you achieve the certification:

• You receive a certificate of Certification.
• Your name will be listed on a registry that is available to potential clients and employers.
• You may display the CPT designation on your business cards, stationary, and marketing materials.
• You may use the credential to distinguish yourself in the marketplace.

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While applications are preferred in English, every effort will be made by ISPI to review CPT applications submitted in other languages.

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If the application is not accepted, the candidate will be notified as to which Standards have not been met. The Certification fee will also be returned, less $250 that is used to pay for the review process. Candidates will have an opportunity to meet those specific Standards within the next 24 months without additional charge beyond the balance of the original submission fee. After the original submission and one resubmit, ISPI will have the right (depending on the amount of work needed) to charge a re-review fee of $200. 

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In 1999, under the leadership of the International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) President Dale Brethower, the ISPI Board of Directors approved the study of a professional certification for Performance Improvement Professionals. Throughout the following year, ISPI member taskforces and staff began a process of evaluating members' requirements for such a credential.

Once it was clear how the majority of the membership felt about the credential and what they would like to have it represent, the next step was taken. On November 13-14, 2000, ISPI President-elect Judith Hale convened a Presidential Task Force affectionately referred to as the "Kitchen Cabinet" to begin the development of the process and standards for a "Performance Based" certification. The Cabinet included individuals who represented all categories of the ISPI membership and had a clear focus on meeting the needs of our customers and our employers.

Mission

To recognize practitioners who have demonstrated proficiency in the Standards of Performance Technology and to promote the adoption of the Standards throughout the profession.

Vision

For ISPI's Certified Performance Technologist (CPT) Certification and the Standards on which it is based be recognized and adopted worldwide. For the CPT credential to be the most recognized and sought after certification by practitioners of performance improvement. For those who achieve the credential, to be preferred candidates for jobs and contracting opportunities because they are viewed as having demonstrated proficiency in performance improvement.

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The International Society for Performance Improvement (ISPI) is the certifying body. ISPI is dedicated to improving individual, organizational, and societal performance. Founded in 1962, ISPI is the leading international association dedicated to improving productivity and performance in the workplace. ISPI represents more than 10,000 international and chapter members throughout the United States, Canada, and 40 other countries. 

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Organizations should consider using the Standards of Performance Technology and the Code of Ethics as part of their criteria for selection and development of their performance improvement specialists as well as for the selection of outside contractors. ISPI can assist organizations with opportunities for developing their performance improvement and training professionals. 

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E-mail: certification@ispi.org

Phone: 1.301.587.8570

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