Certification Program for the Federal Government Procurement and Materiel Management Community

In today's rapidly changing environment, the federal government's Procurement and Materiel Management Community has become a more knowledge-based profession, with an emphasis on its strategic advisory role. In an environment where accountability is foremost, it is essential that practitioners demonstrate they possess the advanced skills and knowledge required to function effectively and efficiently.

The Certification Program for the Federal Government Procurement and Materiel Management Community is a component of the government-wide Professional Development and Certification Program (PDCP) managed by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

The PDCP will contribute significantly to raising the professionalism of the federal Procurement and Materiel Management Community by better positioning employees to respond to their evolving and strategic advisory role.

Program

For the first time, practitioners in procurement and materiel management can acquire a professional designation through their own certification program. Certification provides the increased professional recognition for the Community and offers a professional designation to formally acknowledge a practitioner's level of achievement. Procurement specialists can acquire certification as a Certified Federal Specialist in Procurement (CFSP), and those in materiel management can acquire certification as a Certified Federal Specialist in Materiel Management (CFSMM). Both designations are based on the Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB) Standard Competencies of the Federal Government Procurement, Materiel Management and Real Property Community (CGSB-192.1-2005). The Standard defines competencies and related knowledge, training and experience requirements for learning and professional and career development.

There are three certification levels for each professional designation: Levels I, II and III. All information on Level I requirements can be consulted in the below Requirements for Certification section as well as in the Reference Documents, Certification Process and Courses and Equivalencies sections. As for Level II and III requirements, they are being developed and will be posted as soon as they are available.

Requirements for Certification - Level I

Experience:

• Candidates must possess the required number of years of experience in Procurement or Material Management to obtain a specific level of certification¹;
• Candidates must demonstrate their competencies by completing a Candidate Achievement Record.

Training:

• Candidates must attend all courses required by the program.
• An equivalency can be granted for certain courses.

Knowledge:

• Candidates must pass a Knowledge Exam.

For information please contact the Certification Program team; ncr.acqb.dcp-pcd@tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca.

¹ It is not required to possess the required number of years of experience to enrol in the Program. (Return to original Note 1.)