Certification Liaison Program FAQ
What is a Certification Liaison?
A Certification Liaison, selected by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission (PPCC), plays an important role within the Certification program. The Liaison acts as an evangelist for Certification, assisting candidates and existing Certified Photographers as a subject matter expert and source of information.
All Liaisons must maintain their Certification and are entrusted with responsibilities to the Commission to maintain the integrity of the program.
What are the benefits to being a Certification Liaison?
Certification Liaisons help the Professional Photographic Certification Commission promote Certification and administer the Certification program under the credentialing standards set by the National Organization of Competency Assurance (NOCA). In return for this valuable assistance, Certification Liaisons are recognized publicly as Liaisons and receive service merits if they are active members of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
PPA, while not the governing body of the Certification program, wishes to reward Certification Liaisons who volunteer their time and efforts to promote this program.
What are the duties and responsibilities of a Certification Liaison?
First and foremost, a Certification Liaison must believe in the value and worth of the Certification program. Once chosen by the PPCC to serve as a Certification Liaison, an individual will:
Understand the Certification program and process and be able to explain all aspects to candidates, consumers, and existing Certified Photographers
Schedule to proctor at least one Certification Examination per year, giving significant lead time (2 months preferable) for candidates to register and prepare*. *Please note that this is a requirement for all Liaisons. No service merits will be granted (if applicable) for volunteering if the Liaison does not schedule at least one Certification Exam each year.
Physically proctor the exam if candidates have registered and send the exams back to the Commission in a timely manner for scoring.
Recruit and assist candidates through the entire Certification process
Promote the Certification Program on a local and state level to photographers, regardless of membership in a recognized organization
Act as the primary source of information for answers regarding Certification
Understand that liaisons are accountable to the Commission, CPPs, and candidates and will provide feedback and reporting when necessary
Communicate with the Commission through the proper channels when questions arise that can’t be answered by a Certification Liaison • Allow their phone number and email address to be published on certifiedphotographer.com as a contact for interested parties
Present the CPP Award at state conventions to highlight the Certification program
How can I become a Certification Liaison?
All Certification Liaisons are selected by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission. All interested Certified Photographers (all Liaisons must have already successfully completed the Certification process and maintain an active Certification) can fill out the application to become a Certification Liaison. The applications will be reviewed by the Commission and those selected will be contacted for training.
If you are selected and cannot fulfill your duties as a Certification Liaison, or wish to resign from your volunteer position within the year, you must contact the Commission. You cannot transfer your Liaison role to another person within your state, as the Commission selects the Certification Liaisons.
What tools and resources can a Certification Liaison access to help promote the Certification Program?
The Professional Photographic Certification Commission recognizes that Certification Liaisons need assistance to become and stay familiar with all aspects of Certification. Liaisons will have access to and may participate in:
• An E-mail Listserv for Certification Liaisons, created to open a dialogue between other Liaisons and the PPCC.
• Webinars designed to increase the knowledge of Liaisons and share crucial, timely information which can be passed to candidates • Access to the Commission to address particular questions as needed
• E-mail newsletters for the latest news regarding the Certification program
• The ability to order printed Certification materials to promote the Certification program at events
Can there be more than one Certification Liaison in each state?
Yes. The PPCC recognizes that many states need more than one Certification Liaison to assist candidates and existing Certified Photographers with the Certification program. Even if there may be more than one Liaison in your state, the Commission encourages all qualified Certified Photographers to apply for a Certification Liaison position. This will help promote the program to photographers and consumers. Those states with more than one Liaison will have a Certification Liaison Team Leader to help with administrative issues if necessary.
What is a Certification Liaison Team Leader?
In states where there may be several Certification Liaisons, a Certification Liaison Team Leader may be appointed by the PPCC. The Team Leader will assist the Commission to ensure that all Liaisons within the state have opportunities to proctor an Exam and to be available to answer questions regarding Certification that a Liaison may not be readily able to provide. Team Leaders provide additional feedback to the Commission when necessary.
Where can I offer proctored Certification Exams?
Certification Exams may be offered at any event where interested Certification candidates wish to take a proctored Certification Exam. This includes regional, state, and local PPA affiliate events and non-PPA events. It is the responsibility of the Certification Liaison to ensure that there is space available to proctor the exam in a quiet, enclosed setting for at least two hours. Certification Liaisons can proctor Certification 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 the certifiedphotographer.com website to allow candidates to choose the Exam most convenient to them.
How do I schedule a proctored Certification Exam?
Certification Liaisons can proctor a Certification Exam by filling out the online Request to Proctor An Exam form found on certifiedphotographer.com. 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.
How do I proctor a Certification Exam?
Once a Certification Liaison has submitted a date to proctor a Certification Exam, he or she is required to be at the schedule time and place regardless of the number of registered candidates.
A few days before the scheduled Certification Exam, a packet will be shipped to the Certification Liaison proctor. The packet will include sealed exams (for registrants and walk-ins) and a pre-paid return shipping envelope. Instructions for the administration of the actual Exam is included in the packet.
After proctoring the Certification Exam, the Certification Liaison will return all exams (used and unopened; all exams must be returned) to be scored after the Exam is administered. All candidates will be notified by mail of their results by the Professional Photographic Certification Commission.
How can I request Certification information for distribution?
All Certification Liaisons can request written material by filling out the form: Liaison Certification Material Request Form found on certifiedphotographer.com.
Who do I contact for questions regarding Certification?
Please email PPCC@certifiedphotographer.com with questions and a Commission representative will contact you.
