CITP Eligibility Requirements
Certification eligibility requirements ensure that the application process is fair and impartial and have been established to ensure that certified individuals have the knowledge and skills required of experienced international trade practitioners. You must meet all eligibility requirements in effect at the time of application. See the CITP Candidate Handbook for eligibility rationale.
There are 3 pathways to eligibility: 1) earning a FITT Diploma, either through FITTskills courses, FITT-accredited programs or through Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR); 2) achieving a specialized credential pre-approved by FITT; or 3) by meeting the experience requirements of the executive pathway. All applicants, regardless of pathway, must confirm their work experience, agree to abide by the CITP Standards of Ethical Conduct, and pass the CITP Professional Exam. These requirements are summarized below and are detailed in the CITP Candidate Handbook.
Pathway 1 - FITT Diploma: How to Get CITP Certified
FITT Diploma and Complete the Work Experience Requirements
- Earn the FITT Diploma by completing the FITTskills courses offered by FITT, a FITTskills Delivery Parners, or through a FITT-accredited international business program through one of our partner colleges, universities or other training organizations
OR
- Earn the FITT Diploma by applying for equivalent FITTskills credit(s) based on past work expeirence, professional development, credentials and/or education. Applicants can apply to receive credit for one or more of the six FITTskills courses through the portfolio submission process. Applicants must complete balance of FITTskills courses/ assessments, if applicable, through FITT or FITT educational partner. Review the portfolio submission instructions, and submit your portfolio for evaluation.
AND
- Complete a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in a role that is primarily focused on international trade and is related to one or more of the 15 CITP competency categories. To see if your experience qualifies, review our professional experience requirements, or contact us at certification@fitt.ca.
Carefully review the CITP Candidate Handbook before you apply for certification. You are required to complete an application to document compliance with the certification requirements. In addition to providing contact information through your application, you must:
- Confirm application via the FITT Diploma Pathway (Diploma achievement will be confirmed through FITT's CRM)
- Provide a cover letter summarizing your international trade work experience
- Provide a CV that clearly details your international trade work experience
- Provide letters from 2 individuals who can attest that the experience information provided in your cover letter & CV is correct
- Agree to abide by the CITP Standards of Ethical Conduct
- Agree to the Statement of Understanding
- Pay the CITP application fee
Your CITP application will be reviewed to confirm eligibility before you are authorized to take the CITP Professional Exam. You will not be permitted to take the exam if you do not meet the eligibility requirements. Incomplete applications will not be processed; fees are non-refundable. For a complete list of certification fees, refer to the CITP Certification Fee Schedule.
If your CITP application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email from FITT advising you that you have been approved to write the CITP Professional Exam and the deadline by which you must write the examination. Approved candidates will write their examination via live remote proctoring. Passing the CITP Professional Examination is required to achieve the CITP designation.
Carefully review the information contained in the CITP Candidate Handbook for complete details regarding the CITP Professional Examination, including:
- Testing accommodations for applicants with disabilities
- Scheduling the CITP Professional Exam
- Preparing for the CITP Professional Exam
- Taking the CITP Professional Exam
- After the examination
APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION VIA PATHWAY 1 - FITT DIPLOMA PATHWAY
Pathway 2 - Specialized Credential Holders: How to Get CITP Certified
(Pathway is not available at this time)
- Credential holders of specialized certification programs: Applicants that hold a certification pre-approved by FITT as meeting all 15 CITP competency categories can apply under Pathway 2. Their certification status must be in good standing at time of application.
OR
- Credential holders of specialized educational credentials: Applicants that have achieved an educational credential that is pre-approved by FITT as meeting all 15 CITP competency categories can apply under Pathway 2.
AND
- Complete a minimum of 1 year of full-time work experience in a role that is primarily focused on international trade and is related to one or more of the 15 CITP competency categories. To see if your experience qualifies, review our professional experience requirements, or contact us at certification@fitt.ca.
*Individuals with specialized credentials that do not meet all of the 15 CITP competency categories can apply under Pathway 1.
**IMPORTANT: There are currently no specialized credentials pre-approved by FITT as meeting all 15 CITP competency categories. FITT will update its website as credentials are approved. Check back frequently!
Carefully review the CITP Candidate Handbook before you apply for certification. You are required to complete an application to document compliance with the certification requirements. In addition to providing contact information through your application, you must:
- Confirm application via the Specialized Credential Holders Pathway
- Provide specialized credential holder evidence
- Provide a cover letter summarizing your international trade work experience
- Provide a CV that clearly details your international trade work experience
- Provide letters from 2 individuals who can attest that the experience information provided in your cover letter & CV is correct
- Agree to abide by the CITP Standards of Ethical Conduct
- Agree to the Statement of Understanding
- Pay the CITP application fee
Your CITP application will be reviewed to confirm eligibility before you are authorized to take the CITP Professional Exam. You will not be permitted to take the exam if you do not meet the eligibility requirements. Incomplete applications will not be processed; fees are non-refundable. For a complete list of certification fees, refer to the CITP Certification Fee Schedule.
If your CITP application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email from FITT advising you that you have been approved to write the CITP Professional Exam and the deadline by which you must write the examination. Approved candidates will write their examination via live remote proctoring. Passing the CITP Professional Examination is required to achieve the CITP designation.
Carefully review the information contained in the CITP Candidate Handbook for complete details regarding the CITP Professional Examination, including:
- Testing accommodations for applicants with disabilities
- Scheduling the CITP Professional Exam
- Preparing for the CITP Professional Exam
- Taking the CITP Professional Exam
- After the examination
APPLICATION THROUGH PATHWAY 2 IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME - SEE NOTE ABOVE
APPLICATION VIA PATHWAY 2 IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME - SEE NOTE ABOVE
Pathway 3 - Executive Pathway: How to Get CITP Certified
Complete a minimum of 10 years of full-time work experience related to the 15 CITP competency categories in executive level roles which are described as follows:
- Leadership roles, and/or
- Management roles in the practical or policy areas of international trade, and/or
- Oversight roles associated with an organization’s international trade activities
Carefully review the CITP Candidate Handbook before you apply for certification. You are required to complete an application to document compliance with the certification requirements. In addition to providing contact information through your application, you must:
- Provide a cover letter summarizing your international trade work experience relating to each of the 15 CITP competency categories
- Provide a CV that clearly details your international trade work experience relating to each of the 15 CITP competency categories
- Provide letters from 2 individuals who can attest that the experience information provided in your cover letter & CV is correct
- Agree to abide by the CITP Standards of Ethical Conduct
- Agree to the Statement of Understanding
- Pay the CITP application fee
Your CITP application will be reviewed to confirm eligibility before you are authorized to take the CITP Professional Exam. You will not be permitted to take the exam if you do not meet the eligibility requirements. Incomplete applications will not be processed; fees are non-refundable. For a complete list of certification fees, refer to the CITP Certification Fee Schedule.
If your CITP application is approved, you will receive a confirmation email from FITT advising you that you have been approved to write the CITP Professional Exam and the deadline by which you must write the examination. Approved candidates will write their examination via live remote proctoring. Passing the CITP Professional Examination is required to achieve the CITP designation.
Carefully review the information contained in the CITP Candidate Handbook for complete details regarding the CITP Professional Examination, including:
- Testing accommodations for applicants with disabilities
- Scheduling the CITP Professional Exam
- Preparing for the CITP Professional Exam
- Taking the CITP Professional Exam
- After the examination
APPLY FOR CERTIFICATION VIA PATHWAY 3 - EXECUTIVE PATHWAY
Questions?
Carefully review the detailed information contained in the CITP Candidate Handbook for complete details regarding the CITP designation. Contact certification@fitt.ca with any questions.
FITT Seeking ISO Accreditation for CITP Designation We are excited to announce that FITT will be applying for ISO 17024 Accreditation. Through this accreditation, FITT’s certified program – the CITP designation – is validated by an independent, unbiased accreditation body – the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) through the Standards Council of Canada. Learn more about ISO 17024 and changes in effect as of January 1, 2023. |