There are two sets of certification requirements:  one for those with formal education and one for those without college credits or degrees.  This was done so that APTAC might recognize those professionals who received their level of expertise through a variety of career paths.  A copy of the requirements is included on this site.  Select the appropriate application based on your qualification.  (Formal Education Application or the Non-Formal Education Application)
 

For Level 3 Certification, there will be a written examination, to be administered at the annual Spring and Fall Conferences or possibly by proctor upon special request to the Chair, PRB.  This is a professional examination, and as such tests the counselor’s knowledge of the entire procurement process. Expertise developed during your tenure as a business counselor will help prepare you for the exam. Attending APTAC approved training events will help you keep up to date in your field, and therefore be valuable in gaining the expertise needed to earn certification. The FAR and its supplements, especially Part 19, contain a wealth of information helpful to PTAC counselors. 

 

Other sources of professional training and materials include:

 

The Defense Acquisition University www.dau.mil,

The National Contract Management Association http://www.ncmahq.org/

Government websites such as:

            http://www.fai.gov/

            http://www.sba.gov/services/training/onlinecourses/index.html. 

 

DAU offers several online courses that can help you increase your knowledge of the procurement process, including

 There are also several good publications, including Win Government Contracts for Your Small Business by Kleckner and DiGiacomo, “Selling to the Military”, and Formation of Government Contracts by Cibinic and Nash, and many more.

  

All applicants are required to submit the appropriate certification application form and provide copies of documentation to back up the points claimed.   Documentation should include:

 

            Copy of diploma or transcript.

 

2. PROCUREMENT EDUCATION AND TRAINING:

  a)  APTAC - Original COR credit sheets or ATC approvals
     If you need APTAC endorsement of local training events in order to accumulate recertification points in advance of the event send all requests to:  CORCREDIT@aptac-us.org.  Instructions will be immediately e-mailed to you. 

 

     Letters from Employer or a resume, including phone numbers for verification of experience and former employment, or other sufficient documentation.  (Note:  one point is given for each year of experience.  You cannot claim two points for the same year - i.e. if you were working in a PTA center that is also an economic development company, only one point can be credited.)

 

      APTAC membership/board/committee chair will be verified by APTAC.

      For publications, include table of contents, or copy of article (professional journals only).

      For training activities, please provide agenda and/or other proof that you were a trainer at an APTAC training event or Federal training event.  Credit is not given for training you do locally as part of your regular duties.

 

Application Forms for all levels of Certification can be found by clicking here.

 

Applications may be mailed to APTAC at 360 Sunset Island Trail, Gallatin, TN  37066 at any time.  In order for applications to be properly reviewed, an original and 7 copies must be received by APTAC not later than 45 days before the next conference.  This will give sufficient time for the  PRB to review them and determine if all back up material is adequate.  HQ APTAC  will confirm receipt of the application.  The status of the application will be mailed to the applicant generally no later than 30 days after receipt.  If approved, certifications will be presented at the next scheduled national conference, pending exam for Level 3.  For those who are not in attendance, certifications will be mailed following the conference.  If you have questions, you can contact  Judy Robbins, Chair of the PRB, at prb@aptac-us.org