Certification Liaison Program

The Certification Liaison program is an integral part of the success of Certification.

We appreciate all that you do to help promote Certification and inspire new candidates to become

Certified.

Responsibilities as a CPP Liaison

• Maintain an active Certification designation• Schedule a Certification exam at least once per year• Understand the Certification program and process• Share information when requested

Responsibilities . . .

• Just remember CPP• Communicate • Proctor • Promote

Communicate

• As a Liaison you are responsible to communicate the CPP candidate process which includes:• Declaring Candidacy• Passing the Exam• Passing the Image Submission

Details about the CPP Process can be found here /

Communicate

• Your phone number and email address are published on www.certifiedphotographer.com as a contact for interested parties

• When questions arise email Professional Photographic Certification Commission (PPCC) PPCC@certifiedphotographer.com

Proctor• Liaisons must schedule to proctor 1 exam per year. Of course you can

schedule to proctor more often – and we would love it!• If no one registers for your scheduled exam you will still receive you service

merits

• 60-days notice is required to schedule an exam. This allows for candidates to register and prepare adequately.

*Please note that this is a requirement for all Liaisons. No service merits will be granted if the Liaison does not schedule at least one Certification exam each year

ProctorCertification Exam Overview

•100 item comprehensive exam that concentrates on the technical knowledge of today’s imaging industry• Pass = 70% or above•Body of knowledge covers broad range• Lighting• Exposure• Post-Production• Posing

Proctor

• How do I schedule a proctored Certification Exam?• Fill out the online request here• Once the form is submitted, the exam date will be placed

on the website and candidates will be offered the opportunity to register for the exam

Proctor• How do I proctor Certification Exam?

• Once a Liaison has submitted a date to proctor an exam, they are required to be at the scheduled time and place regardless of the number of registrants

• A few days before the scheduled exam, a packet will be shipped to the Liaison proctor. The packet will include sealed exams (for registrants) and a pre-paid return shipping envelope. Instructions for the administration of the actual exam are included in the packet

• After proctoring the exam, the Liaison will return all exams to be scored• All candidates will be notified by mail of their results within 3 weeks by the

PPCC

Proctor• Where can I offer proctored exams?

• Exams may be offered at any event where interested candidates wish to take the exam. This includes regional, state, and local PPA affiliates and non-PPA events. It is the responsibility of the Liaison to ensure there is space available to proctor the exam in a quiet, enclosed setting for at least two hours

• Liaisons can proctor exams to candidates outside photographic events, including at a studio, following the proctoring guidelines set out by the PPCC

• All exams must be published on www.certifiedphotographer.com to allow candidates to choose the exam most convenient to them

Proctor• Resources for Candidates

• Exam Flash Cards• Test Specifications• Sample Test Questions• Suggested Reading: Photography by London, Upton & Stone

(9th or 10th edition) book• CPP Prep Class Information• Certify with Sandy Resources• Sample Images• Anonymous Image Review

Promote

Promote the Certification Program on a local and state level to photographers, regardless of membership in a recognized organization

Promote your status – use the Liaison signature block in all your e-mails

Promote

• Are your aware of the resources available to you?• Podium banners to hang when a CPP is speaking at your local guild

or chapter• Online Resources• Work with other Liaisons in your state and set up a system

• Covering separate events• Splitting the state up geographically

Image Submission

• Image Submission consists of 15 images• First 6 images are the compulsory images• Remaining 9 images come from the candidates client work in the last

24 months, based on their specialty (or specialties percentage)

Compulsory Images

• All portfolios (CPP candidates and re-certifying CPPs) require the completion of 6 compulsory images, showing the standardized technical proficiency that all professional photographers, regardless of specialty, should know

• These images may come directly from client files or may be set up to demonstrate the technique that is required

Compulsory Images

The Compulsory section is comprised of 3 mandatory images and 3 elective images

• Mandatory Images• Image 1: Short lighting 3:1 ratio• Image 2: Broad lighting 3:1 ratio• Image 3: Selective focus with minimal depth of field

Compulsory ImagesThe Compulsory section is comprised of 3 mandatory images and 3 elective images cont’d . . .

• Elective Images• High Key Image• Low Key Image• Rule of Thirds• Use of Shape, Form and Texture• Balance (symmetrical or asymmetrical• Color Harmony• “S” Curve Line• Assertive, Angular, or Masculine Line• Architectural

Image Submission Review

• 5 Image Submission dates per year• Candidates receive written notification of pass/fail via

U.S Mail• If Candidate does not pass they may request a feed

back session

Image Submission

As a CPP Liaison, you can help by offering constructive feedback to Candidates directly and on the PPA forums in the Certification Gallery. Candidates anonymously upload images and get comments. Learn more here!

Recertification• CPP’s must recertify every 5 years• If a CPP is within their recertification period, they must

use the Recertification Education Tracking Form for education tracking

• Failure to complete one of the three recertification options within a CPP’s period will result in the full cancellation of their certification. They will need to reapply as a candidate and complete the candidacy requirements to re-obtain their credential

RecertificationOptions for Recertification:

1. Successfully pass the Certification exam againOR2. Submit a total of twenty-five education units over the five year term of the certification to the PPCC. A breakdown of how one earns education units is included on the Re-Certification Education Tracking FormOR3. Submit ten education units over the five year term of the certification and submit fifteen images within the recertification period. A breakdown of how one earns education units is included on the Re-Certification Education Tracking Form

Recertification• Please use the following table to calculate education units. Please note teaching or

speaking does not count towards these credits

• 5 UNITS   Attending Imaging USA or a full week at a PPA Affiliate School• 2 UNITS   Attending Regional/State Conventions or Attending Photography

Industry Seminars/Convention lasting 2 or more days• 1 UNIT      Attending Photography Industry Seminars/Workshops lasting 6 or more hours• 1/2 UNIT   Attending any professionally related face to face program that lasts 4-6 hours• 1/4 UNIT   Attending any professionally related face to face program that lasts 2-4 hours

Questions• For additional information including Frequently Asked

Questions please visit www.certifiedphotographer.com

• Still have a questions? Please contact us• Email: PPCC@certifiedphotographer.com• Phone: 1-888-772-2780