Certification Qualifying Application & Handbook

ASP Certification

ASP Certification has a two-part application process that includes submission of a Qualifying Application followed by processing of a PTC Test Center Application.

The purpose of the ASP Certification Qualifying Application is to determine an Applicant's eligibility to test for the indicated Certification Exam, and reflects the professional experience/education necessary for the Applicant to qualify to be recognized by ASP as a credentialed professional upon passing the exam.

The ASP Certification Handbook, Second Edition, was revised in Fall 2011 to reflect current information about the ASP Professional Standards and Certification Program for Strategic Planning and Strategic Management.

Below are links to the ASP Certification Qualifying Application form and the ASP Certification Handbook, Second Edition. Both are in PDF format. There is also a pdf of the Business Acumen Areas (Section 6.0 of the Application).

Once you have completed your application, send it to the Certification Program Coordinator at CertificationProgram@strategyplus.org. See Qualifying Application Form for additional details

Summary of Important Administrative Information For ASP Certification
  1. Program Administration
    Send all ASP Certification inquiries to CertificationProgram@strategyplus.org. Professional Testing Corporation (PTC) (www.ptcny.com) manages the ASP testing program and is the independent third party that manages the ASP Exam Testing Program.

  2. Exam Frequency, Format and Location
    Both the Level I SPP and Level II SMP ASP Certification Exams are administered twice a year at computer-based testing facilities available during established two-week testing periods, and once a year as paper & pencil exams immediately following the annual ASP conference. Click http://www.ptcny.com/cbt/sites.htm to check for possible Testing Center locations.

  3. Submitting Your Application
    ASP has a two-part application process that includes a review of a Qualifying Application followed by processing of a PTC Test Center Application. As of Nov. 2011, ASP has updated the original Certification Application form with improved instructions and for greater ease of completion by Applicants.

    The Qualifying Application consists of the following, and only complete Qualifying Applications are to be submitted:

    • Qualifying Application Form: a writable/savable pdf application form (downloaded from the ASP Certification Application and Handbook webpage
    • Case Study (Section 7): up to 1000 words following a set format; required for SMP Level II and optional for SPP Level I, but recommended if not strong in educational background. SPA applicants use the Case Study section for an essay describing their motives and interests in obtaining the SPA designation.
    • Professional References (Section 8): both contact information for named references and the actual letters: 3 for SMP and 2 for SPP
    • Career Bio (Section 9): Current professional resume, career bio, curriculum vitae or other description of professional education and experience, especially that related to strategy work

    To be eligible to take for an exam in the upcoming testing period:

    • Submit a complete ASP Qualifying Application in a single email to CertificationProgram@strategyplus.org no later than the deadline date, and make Application Fee payment
    • For accurate document management, the email's subject line AND all attached documents should include your full name and the name of the item.
    • Applications that do not qualify for the requested exam level on a first review are eligible for one rewrite and re-review at no additional fee.
    • Qualifying Applications arriving after the established deadline become eligible for the following testing period.

    Only Applicants whom ASP notifies as approved Exam Candidates will receive a PTC Test Center Application form (a two-page scannable document). This form is not otherwise available.

  4. Exam Fees
    Test Center Exam Fees are due concurrent with their respective Applications. Payment is to be made in US Dollars via the appropriate Application Payment link at the bottom of the ASP Certification Home Page.

  5. End of Limited SMP Grandfathering
    Holders of the SMP Certification are to have mastered the competencies in the entire ASP Body of Knowledge Framework. However the BOK has been split into Level I and Level II examinations, and the SMP exam only tests the more advanced Level II competencies in the BOK.

    During the initial implementation of ASP's Standards and Certification Program, a "grandfathering" provision was established so that experienced professionals would not need to take both exams.

    In Oct. 2011, the ASP Board eliminated this limited "Grandfathering" provision and voted that all applicants who qualify for the SMP certification exam can take the SMP exam directly. Therefore, all experienced strategy professionals who meet eligibility criteria may directly apply for the SMP Level II credential without first holding the SPP Level I.

  6. International Exam Candidates (for Non-US-Canada locations)
    It may be possible to establish a special testing center to take a paper and pencil examination in Exam Candidate's own country for a surcharge of $100 USD to cover administrative costs. A written request must accompany the Testing Center Application and specify preferred city and country. International Exam Candidates requesting a non-US or Canada testing location must submit their PTC Test Center Application to ASP no less than EIGHT weeks before the testing period to provide the additional time necessary to set up an international location. An International Applicant's ASP Qualifying Application must therefore be submitted no less than TWELVE weeks before the testing period.

  7. Special Needs Individuals
    Special Testing arrangement will be made for Candidates with special needs. With the Test Center Application, submit a completed and signed Request for Special Accommodation Form, available from www.ptcny.com or by contacting PTC. Requests for special testing for individuals with special needs must be received no less than EIGHT weeks before the testing period begins. A Special Need's Applicant's ASP Qualifying Application must therefore be submitted no less than TWELVE weeks before the testing period. There is no surcharge to request special test accommodations for special needs individuals.

  8. Scheduling a Test Center Exam Appointment
    Upon processing of Test Center Applications, Candidates are obliged to take their Exam within the testing period on their Test Center Application. PTC sends via US mail an Eligibility Notice to each registered Exam Candidate, who must have this document before scheduling a Certification Exam appointment at an available Testing Center within the assigned Testing Period. This Eligibility Notice plus current government issued photo identification MUST be presented to gain admission to the testing center.

    The Eligibility Notice indicates:

    • designated Exam and Testing Period
    • assigned Eligibility Number
    • phone number to call to schedule an examination appointment

    Important Note: Appointment times are first-come/first-serve, so Applicants should schedule their appointment to take the exam as soon as possible upon receipt of the Eligibility Notice to maximize likelihood of testing at a preferred location and on a preferred date. PSI is the firm with which PTC contracts to run the testing centers; its phone number is provided on the PTC Eligibility Notice or can be obtained by contacting PTC or ASP.

  9. Testing Software Demo
    Use the PTC Testing Software Demo at http://www.ptcny.com/cbt/demo.htm to experience without content the features of the testing software.

  10. Rescheduling an Exam Date once assigned a Testing Period
    Once ASP forwards the Test Center Application form to Professional Testing Corporation, the ASP Exam Candidate becomes a formal Candidate for the next upcoming testing period. Candidate may reschedule to a different date within this two-week testing period, free of charge. However, to transfer to a different two-week testing period, Candidate must pay a Transfer Fee of $150. This rescheduling fee is based on cost and is not punitive. There are no refunds of application or exam fees.

    • No Fee to CHANGE WITHIN Assigned Testing Period
      To cancel an examination appointment or reschedule to a different date or location within the two-week testing period, contact PSI using the phone number on the Eligibility notice to see if a change is possible, and inform ASP of any changes that are made.

    • $150 Fee to TRANSFER to a later Testing Period
      To request a transfer to the next testing period, a transfer request should be submitted to ASP with the Transfer Fee of $150. Both the transfer request and the fee must be received within 30 days after the original examination date for the transfer to be granted. The rescheduling fee is based on cost, and is not punitive in nature. Candidate is responsible for canceling the original examination appointment.

    If Candidate is unable to attend the examination on the registered date and elects not to reschedule to the next testing period, the Testing Center application will be closed and all Exam fees will be forfeited. There is no refund of fees.


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