Professional Certification Program

Professional Standards Institute offers specialized and unique certification programs in Information Technology, Business, and Management. These certifications measure "Real World" expertise and knowledge in vendor-neutral, role-based areas.

Certification Program Highlights

• Measure real-world knowledge rather than book knowledge.
• Vendor-neutral, role-based certifications.
• Three levels of certifications: Associate, Senior, and Master
• Specializations and endorsements available.
• No membership or annual maintenance fees.
• On-line testing. No need to go to a testing center.
• Generous testing time limits.
• One free re-take test, if needed.
• Three year certification period.
• Three ways to earn recertification credits.
• Realistic pricing.

Please Click Here to View Our Available Certifications

Three Certification Levels

Associate Level Certification Requirements

1. Certification Test: To receive your certification, you must pass the Associate Level Certification Test consisting of 40 questions with a minimum score of 70%.
   
   
2. Code of Professional Standards and Ethics: Applicants must accept and follow the Code of Professional Standards and Ethics.
   
   
3. Application and Testing Fee: The Application and Testing Fee must be submitted with your application. Please note that this fee is non-refundable. The Application and Testing Fee is $40.

Senior Level Certification Requirements

1. Certification Test: To receive your certification, you must pass the Senior Level Certification Test consisting of 60 questions with a minimum score of 75%. It is highly recommended that you have at least five years of experience in your field prior to taking the test.
   
   
2. Code of Professional Standards and Ethics: Applicants must accept and follow the Code of Professional Standards and Ethics.
   
   
3. Application and Testing Fee: The Application and Testing Fee must be submitted with your application. Please note that this fee is non-refundable. The Application and Testing Fee is $60.

Master Level Certification Requirements

1. Certification Test: To receive your certification, you must pass the Master Level Certification Test consisting of 80 questions with a minimum score of 80%. It is highly recommended that you have at least ten years of experience in your field prior to taking the test.
   
   
2. Code of Professional Standards and Ethics: Applicants must accept and follow the Code of Professional Standards and Ethics.
   
   
3. Application and Testing Fee: The Application and Testing Fee must be submitted with your application. Please note that this fee is non-refundable. The Application and Testing Fee is $80.

Specializations and Endorsements

Specializations: Specializations are available to specific Senior and Master Level certifications only. Specializations identify specific areas within the certification field in which you have attained advanced knowledge and skills. Available specializations include:

• Information Technology
• Information Security
• Agile Development
• AJAX Development
• UML Modeling
• Sarbanes-Oxley
• Project Portfolio Management

• Educator/Trainer
• Project Lead
• Consultant
• Research

• For each specialization and/or endorsement, an additional 20 questions related to the specialization and/or endorsement will be added to your certification test.
• A $20 application and testing fee is required for each specialization and/or endorsement applied for.
• Not all specializations and endorsements above are available to all certifications. They are available to applicable certifications.

Certification Tests

On-Line Testing: Our Professional Certification Tests are available on-line, which provides the following benefits:

• Provides flexibility in scheduling when and where to take the test.
• Eliminates trip to a test center.
• Reduces time away from work for taking the test.
• Provides for a comfortable testing environment that applicants are familiar with.

Generous Test Time Provided: Ample time is provided to take your test. You are provided 10 minutes per question. The time stops if you log out during the test, however, you are allowed only five logins to take the test. In addition, you must complete the test within 6 months of your application. If you do not complete your test within 6 months, your application will be cancelled and you will be required to reapply.

One Free Re-Take: If a passing score is not achieved, you may retake the test one time at no additional cost after a 1 day waiting period. If you do not pass the re-take test, you must wait 30 days to reapply.

Important Note: Do not let the fact that our tests are on-line and that you have a generous amount of time give you a false impression. The certification tests are constructed to measure "Real World" expertise and knowledge, not book knowledge. The average passing rate for our certification exams is about 65%.

Award of Certification

Once you have submitted your application and certification fee and have met all of the requirements for certification, you will receive a parchment certificate, suitable for framing, attesting to your certification. In addition, you will be able to download and use the certification logo on your web site, resume, business card and stationary. Certifications are valid for three years, after which the applicant will need to re-certify through experience, teaching, and/or continuing education.

Certifications Available

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Re-Certification

The re-certification requirements must be accomplished before your certification expires or within 30 days after your current certification expires. The requirements for re-certification include continuing education, professional full-time work experience, teaching experience, continued acceptance of the Professional Standards and Ethics, and the re-certification application fee. Your re-certification will be valid for three years.

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