PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast-Track (CFT) Program
Specifications Document
Contents
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6.
Program Overview
Program Goals
Program Specifications
Program Requirements
Program Process
Program Costs and Fees
Program Overview
The PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast-Track (CFT) Program is a PPAI Certification
initiative aimed at providing promotional products professionals with a minimum of five years of
verifiable industry experience with an avenue for “waiving” CAS certification requirements in
consideration of their experience, education, and/or achievements.
Many promotional products professionals, who have been working for some time in the industry,
already have acquired the core knowledge demonstrated by taking the CAS required courses:
Promotional Products Industry Overview, Promotional Programs, Best Practices in Supplier and
Distributor Relations, Advertising and Marketing Overview, Product Safety Basics, and Business Ethics.
There are also promotional products professionals who currently hold a senior level position with a
promotional products industry company, have obtained college and/or graduate education in an
industry-related field, or have achieved certification from another qualifying organization. These
professionals have confirmed not only their understanding of the core knowledge of a Certified
Advertising Specialist (CAS), but also have established their continued commitment to industry
education and are eligible to additionally “waive” the CAS elective requirements.

Program participants can “waive” the CAS-required courses if they meet one or more of the
following criteria:
o Bachelors degree or higher in a related field (marketing, business, etc.)
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o
o
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
Ten years or more of promotional products experience
Comparable certification from another organization
Currently serving in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company
Program participants can “waive” the CAS-required courses and the CAS points if they meet two
or more of the above criteria
By submitting Waivers A and C, all the candidate needs to complete are the additional 60 elective points
in order to sit for the CAS exam. By submitting Waiver B and D, the candidate will have met all of the
CAS requirements and can immediately register to sit for the CAS exam.
Program Goals
The goals of the PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program are as follows:
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Provide an alternate track towards CAS certification for veteran industry professionals to allow
them to demonstrate mastery of the CAS core knowledge areas
Provide qualified industry professionals with a process for expediting CAS requirements in order
to register for the CAS exam
Provide qualified industry professionals with an alternate CAS certification track that meets or
exceeds national ANSI and or other accreditation standards
Program Specifications
Waivers
PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program is comprised of four applicantsubmitted waivers:
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Waiver A: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) for the applicant (each course will
show as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
Waiver B: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) and remaining 60 CAS points for the
applicant—qualifies the applicant to immediately sit for the CAS exam (each course will show
as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
Waiver C: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) for the applicant (each course will
show as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)—waiver is also given “expedited” status and
processed within three business days of submittal to PPAI
Waiver D: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) and remaining 60 CAS points for the
applicant—qualifies the applicant to immediately sit for the CAS exam (each course will show
as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)—waiver is also given “expedited” status and
processed within three business days of submittal to PPAI
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Criteria
PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program participants must meet one of the
following criteria in order to be eligible to submit an A or C Waiver:
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Possess a Bachelors degree or higher in a related promotional products field (marketing,
business, advertising, etc.)
Possess 10 years or more of promotional products industry experience (does not have to be
consecutive years)
Possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization
Currently serving in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company
PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program participants must meet two or
more of the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a B or D Waiver:


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Possess a Bachelors degree or higher in a related promotional products field (marketing,
business, advertising, etc.)
Possess 10 years or more of promotional products industry experience (does not have to be
consecutive years)
Possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization
Currently serving in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company
Program Requirements
In order to apply to receive a PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program
waiver, a candidate must:
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Be a member of UPIC ,in order to log into www.ppai.org
Possess a minimum of five years of promotional products industry experience
Provide verification of one or more of the qualifying criteria:
o Possess a Bachelors degree or higher in a related promotional products field
 Degree must be from an accredited institution of higher learning
 Approved fields of study includes:
o Business
o Marketing
o Advertising
o Sales
o Management
o Media
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
o
o
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PPAI Staff reserves the right to make a determination of the validity or
appropriateness of a submitted credential
Possess 10 years or more of promotional products industry experience
 Experience can be verified by submitting a current resume or CV
 Experience does not have to include consecutive years of promotional products
industry experience
 Industry experience is defined as employed or operating as a component of the
supplier/distributor promotional products supply chain
 PPAI Staff reserves the right to make a determination of the validity or
appropriateness of a submitted credential
Possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization
 Earned credential can be verified by submitting a current resume or CV
 Must be an earned certification through a course of demonstrated skill mastery
(most commonly achieved through a comprehensive examination)
 Must currently hold the indicated certification (and be in good standing with the
certifying organization—credential must not have lapsed)
 Certificate programs are not eligible for consideration
 PPAI Staff reserves the right to make a determination of the validity or
appropriateness of a submitted credential
Currently serving in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company
 Current position can be verified by submitting a current resume or CV
 Eligible companies include:
 Distributors of D5 size and larger
 Suppliers of S2 size and larger
 Minimum of five employees
 Ineligible companies include:
 Sole proprietorship
 Independent contractor
 Multi-Line Rep
 Less than five employees
 Must currently hold the eligible role and be in good standing with the
organization
 Eligible job roles are defined as, but not limited to:
 Director or above
 Vice President or above
 President
 Owner
 Partner
 CEO, COO, CFO, or CMO
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
o
PPAI Staff reserves the right to make a determination of the validity or
appropriateness of a submitted credential
The CFT program in only available to waive requirements of the Certified Advertising
Specialist (CAS) certification—Master Advertising Specialist (MAS) designations must be
earned in accordance with established program guidelines
Program Process
How to Submit a Waiver
To submit a PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program Waiver A for CAS
Course Requirements only:
o
o
o
o
Make sure the candidate meets at least one of the eligibility requirements for the CFT
waiver
Complete the Certification Fast Track (CFT) Waiver form and mark “A” on the type of
waiver requested
Send the form and a current copy of the candidate’s professional resume to
certification@ppai.org
Pay the associated CFT fee (Please note: CFT waivers cannot be processed until all
associated fees have been paid)
To submit a PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program Waiver B for CAS
Course Requirements and CAS points:
o
Make sure the candidate meets at least two of the eligibility requirements for the CFT
waiver
o
Complete the Certification Fast Track (CFT) Waiver form and mark “B” on the type of
waiver requested
Send the form and a current copy of the candidate’s professional resume to
certification@ppai.org
Pay the associated CFT fee (Please note: CFT waivers cannot be processed until all
associated fees have been paid)
o
o
To submit a PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program Waiver C for
Expedited CAS Course Requirements:
o
o
Make sure the candidate meets at least one of the eligibility requirements for the CFT
waiver
Complete the Certification Fast Track (CFT) Waiver form and mark “C” on the type of
waiver requested
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o
o
Send the form and a current copy of the candidate’s professional resume to
certification@ppai.org
Pay the associated CFT fee (Please note: CFT waivers cannot be processed until all
associated fees have been paid)
To submit a PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program D Waiver for
Expedited CAS Course Requirements and CAS points:
o
o
o
o
Make sure the candidate meets at least two of the eligibility requirements for the CFT
waiver
Complete the Certification Fast Track (CFT) Waiver form and mark “D” on the type of
waiver requested
Send the form and a current copy of the candidate’s professional resume to
certification@ppai.org
Pay the associated CFT fee (Please note: CFT waivers cannot be processed until all
associated fees have been paid)
How to Track Wavier Requests
Upon submittal of the CFT form, the candidate will receive a confirmation email from PPAI within two
business days.
Waiver A submittals:
o
o
Upon payment of CFT fees , the waiver will be processed within 10 business days
The candidate can view their individual transcript after 10 business days with “CFT”
noted on each required course—as below:
CAS Required Courses:
_CFT_PPI – Promotional Products Industry Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_PRO - Promotional Programs (3 pts req.)
_CFT_BEP - Best Practices/Supplier-Distributer Relations (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ADV - Advertising and Marketing Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ART - Sm@rt Artwork Guidelines (1.5 pts req.)
_CFT_ETH - Business Ethics (1.5 pts req.)
Waiver B submittals:
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o
o
Upon payment of CFT fees , the waiver will be processed within 10 business days
The candidate can view their individual transcript after 10 business days with “CFT”
noted on each required course—as below:
CAS Required Courses:
_CFT_PPI – Promotional Products Industry Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_PRO - Promotional Programs (3 pts req.)
_CFT_BEP - Best Practices/Supplier-Distributer Relations (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ADV - Advertising and Marketing Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ART - Sm@rt Artwork Guidelines (1.5 pts req.)
_CFT_ETH - Business Ethics (1.5 pts req.)
o Under the “Additional Courses” field the transcript will be noted as “CFT Waiver B”
o The “Points Needed to Complete CAS” field will display “0”
Waiver C submittals:
o
o
Upon payment of CFT fees , the waiver will be processed within 3 business days
The candidate can view their individual transcript after 3 business days with “CFT”
noted on each required course—as below:
CAS Required Courses:
_CFT_PPI – Promotional Products Industry Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_PRO - Promotional Programs (3 pts req.)
_CFT_BEP - Best Practices/Supplier-Distributer Relations (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ADV - Advertising and Marketing Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ART - Sm@rt Artwork Guidelines (1.5 pts req.)
_CFT_ETH - Business Ethics (1.5 pts req.)
Waiver D submittals:
o
o
Upon payment of CFT fees , the waiver will be processed within 3 business days
The candidate can view their individual transcript after 3 business days with “CFT”
noted on each required course—as below:
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CAS Required Courses:
_CFT_PPI – Promotional Products Industry Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_PRO - Promotional Programs (3 pts req.)
_CFT_BEP - Best Practices/Supplier-Distributer Relations (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ADV - Advertising and Marketing Overview (3 pts req.)
_CFT_ART - Sm@rt Artwork Guidelines (1.5 pts req.)
_CFT_ETH - Business Ethics (1.5 pts req.)
o Under the “Additional Courses” field the transcript will be noted as “CFT Waiver D”
o The “Points Needed to Complete CAS” field will display “0”
Program Costs/Fees
Item
(Wavier A)
Waiver for CAS Course
Requirements*
(Waiver B)
Waiver for CAS Course
Requirements & CAS Points**
(Waiver C)
Expedited Waiver for CAS
Course Requirements***
(Waiver D)
Expedited Waiver for CAS
Course Requirements & CAS
Points****
PPAI Member Fee
$100
Non-Member Fee
$300
$150
$400
$175
$425
$200
$450
*Waiver A: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) for the applicant (each course will show as
“Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
**Waiver B: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) and remaining 60 CAS points for the applicant—
qualifies the applicant to immediately sit for the CAS exam (each course will show as “Waived” on the
applicant’s transcript)
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***Waiver C: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) for the applicant (each course will show as
“Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)—waiver is also given “expedited” status and processed within three
business days of submittal to PPAI
****Waiver D: Waives all six CAS-required courses (15 points) and remaining 60 CAS points for the applicant—
qualifies the applicant to immediately sit for the CAS exam (each course will show as “Waived” on the
applicant’s transcript)—waiver is also given “expedited” status and processed within three business days of
submittal to PPAI
Revised 10/28/2011
***For Confidential Use Only***
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