The Practice Analysis research study and Updated Job Task Analysis Study concluded that relevant work experience is of equal importance to formal education. Therefore, the Commission has established five different pathways for eligibility based on a combination of formal education and/or relevant work experience:
Pathway A
- Graduate degree from an accredited college/university specific to supply chain, procurement, public administration, public policy, or economics; or Juris Doctor (JD), Legus Baccalaureus (LLB) or equivalent program recognized by the American Bar Association as satisfying the educational requirements to sit for the Bar exam.
- Plus 2 years (24 months) of full-time, procurement work experience at the leader level (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years.
Pathway B
- Bachelor’s or higher degree (any discipline) from an accredited college/university or a program that has earned the Global Standard for Purchasing and Supply Chain educational Programs from the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM), AND a graduate-level certificate from an accredited college/university specifically in public administration, public policy, supply chain, or procurement.
- Plus 3 years (36 months) of full-time procurement work experience at the leader level (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years.
Pathway C
- Bachelor’s or higher degree in any discipline from an accredited college/university or a program that has earned the Global Standard for Purchasing and Supply Chain educational Programs from the International Federation of Purchasing and Supply Management (IFPSM).
- Plus 4 years (48 months) of full-time, procurement work experience at the leader level (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years.
Pathway D
- Two-year post-secondary diploma OR associate degree (any discipline) from an accredited college/university OR NIGP Public Procurement Associate Designation
- Plus 6 years (72 months) of full-time, procurement work experience at the leader level (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years.
Pathway E
- No post-secondary diploma required
- Plus 8 years (96 months) of full-time, procurement work experience at the leader level (public or private, purchaser or seller) within the past 10 years.
For all education standards, global equivalents are acceptable.
For all applications approved or before September 30, 2025, “relevant work experience" is defined as full-time procurement employment experience that aligns with 20 or more of the 43 competency statements assessed on the NIGP-CPP exam. This is explained further under Exam Content and Application Fees.
For all applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025, “relevant work experience’ is defined as full-time procurement employment experience that aligns with 25 or more of the 54 competency statements assessed on the NIGP-CPP exam. Please see Appendix J of the Requirements Manual.
Education and relevant work experience are the only two requisites for the NIGP-CPP. There are no requirements for informal procurement coursework/training. Candidates have the flexibility to sharpen their skills and competencies without any mandate, including NIGP’s learning program, which aligns with the Public Procurement Competency Framework.
EXAM MODULES C AND D MUST BE SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED BY ALL CANDIDATES APPROVED ON OR AFTER OCTOBER 1, 2025. PLEASE SEE THE REQUIREMENTS MANUAL, APPENDIX J, FOR INFORMATION.