Standards, Policies and Enforcement
CITP candidates and certificants are required to adhere to rigorous standards that are set by the FITT Certification Council. Eligibility and maintenance requirements are strictly enforced, and it is your responsibility to comply with all policies and procedures. Carefully review the information contained in the CITP Candidate Handbook before you apply for certification and for ongoing maintenance of the designation.
Policies are summarized below and are detailed in the CITP Candidate Handbook.
CITP Governance
The FITT Certification Council is the governing body responsible for the certification program. The Certification Council develops, maintains, and oversees the CITP in adherence with best practices and recognized standards for certification programs.
Development of the CITP Professional Exam is based on a job task analysis study designed to identify the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities essential to practice. The exam and eligibility requirements are designed to identify qualified practitioners. The Certification Council ensures that all application and eligibility requirements, exam development and administration, certification renewal requirements, and all certification program policies are directly related to the identified purpose and scope of the certification program.
About the CITP
The Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) certification program aims to provide global assurance that certificants meet the CITP standards through initial assessment and periodic re-certification.
CITP certification is based on a competency standard that was first developed in 1998 and is revised periodically through a process of extensive industry engagement and validation. The CITP Competency Profile is derived from the FITT International Trade Competency Framework which outlines the depth and breadth of the knowledge, skills, and abilities required of international trade practitioners in an international context. The competency framework also provides for a measure of job performance for individuals working at a fully proficient level which was benchmarked to be at three to five years’ experience working in international trade.
The CITP certification program is developed and administered in accordance with generally accepted psychometric practices for the objective measurement of knowledge, skills, and abilities.
Membership
Membership in FITT, or any other organization, is optional and not required for certification. CITPs can opt-in to a complimentary FITT certified membership on an annual basis, which entitles them to receive notice of, attend and vote at all meetings of Members.
Statement of Understanding
Candidates are required to agree to the following items as part of their certification application:
- all information provided is complete and accurate
- compliance with all policies and provisions of the certification program
- only make claims regarding certification with respect to the scope for which certification has been granted
- not to misuse the credential, certification mark, and/or certificate, or to use them in a misleading manner
- not to use the certification in a manner that would bring FITT and/or the Certification Council into disrepute, and not to make any statement regarding the certification which the Certification Council considers misleading or unauthorized
- discontinue all claims to certification, discontinue use of the credential/certification mark, and return any certificates issued, if certification is suspended or revoked
- not to copy, release, share, or otherwise disclose confidential examination materials or participate in fraudulent test-taking practices
CITP Standards of Ethical Conduct
CITP certificants are required to adhere to standards of ethical conduct.
Ethical professionals should be governed by two basic concepts:
- Competency: They must be able to successfully apply the competencies for their area of practice.
- Integrity: They must have a keen sense of responsibility to their client or employer, to their profession and the public, and the sense of independence to allow exercise of their professional judgement without restriction or bias.
Review the CITP Standards of Ethical Conduct.
Nondiscrimination
Applicants are judged solely on the criteria determined by the Certification Council. FITT, the Council, and any subcontractors and/or vendors do not discriminate on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, race, marital status, family status, gender identity or expression, creed, age, colour, disability, national origin, political or religious belief, or any other status protected by law.
Certification Verification
Examination scores are released only to the examination candidate unless a signed release is provided in writing by the individual, or release is required by law.
An individuals’ certification status is not considered confidential. The names of certified individuals are not considered confidential and may be published by FITT.
FITT will provide confirmation of certification status to anyone who requests the information. Verification of certification status includes the individual’s name, certification number, and current certification status.
Application status, information about whether or not an individual has taken the exam, and exam score information is not released.
A complete Confidentiality Policy is available in the CITP Candidate Handbook.
Reconsideration of Adverse Decisions
A candidate whose eligibility for initial certification or certification renewal has been denied may request reconsideration of the decision. The appeal process is detailed within the CITP Candidate Handbook.
Disciplinary and Complaints Policy
The Certification Council has adopted a process to allow individuals to bring complaints concerning the conduct of FITT certificants to the Council. In the event a certificant violates the Standards of Ethical Conduct and/or Council certification rules, requirements, and/or policies the Council may sanction the individual as described in the policy.
A complete copy of the Disciplinary and Complaints policy is available in the CITP Candidate Handbook and will be made available to any individual upon request.
Aggregate Data
Aggregate examination statistics are published on the FITT website and updated at least annually. Aggregate examination statistics as well as any studies and reports concerning applicants/certificants contain no information identifiable with any applicant/certificant.
How the Examination is Developed
The Certification Council participates in and provides oversight for the development and ongoing maintenance of the CITP certification examination. The Council works in partnership with a psychometric consultant/vendor and relevant SME panels/committees to ensure the examination is developed and maintained in a manner consistent with generally accepted psychometric principles, recognized educational testing practices, and accreditation standards for certification programs. An overview of the examination development process is available in the CITP Candidate Handbook.
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.
* Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) is trademarked for use within Canada. FITT International Business Professional (FIBP) is trademarked for use internationally. Both reflect the same FITT certified designation.