The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO) has announced the extension of its reimbursement program to those who attain their Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB®) or Certified Public Purchasing Officer (CPPO®) certifications through the Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC). Originally launched as a pilot program in 2023, the reimbursement program has proven successful in incentivizing procurement officials to pursue these professional certifications. 

The extended reimbursement program provides full reimbursement of exam fees for those who successfully pass either the CPPO or CPPB exams. The extension is currently through the end of 2024 as funds allow. 

“We have seen tremendous interest in procurement certifications since launching this incentive program,” said NASPO Chief Executive Officer, Lindle Hatton. “Extending these reimbursements will enable us to continue building professional capacity in public procurement.” 

UPPCC Certifications are applicable to all public procurement personnel in federal, state, provincial, territorial, and local government organizations and are the recognized gold standard in public procurement. For over 40 years, the Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) and the Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) have been respected by public procurement practitioners and their employers. Both designations demonstrate an individual’s comprehensive mastery of public procurement. Requisite levels of education and professional experience are required to apply. 

The next round of testing for the exams is now open! Over 350 people were certified for the CPPO and CPPB in 2023. If interested, applicants should visit the UPPCC website and apply by March 18, 2024 (or March 31, 2024 with a late fee.) 

About NASPO: NASPO is a non-profit association dedicated to advancing public procurement through leadership, excellence, and integrity. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories of the United States. NASPO is an organization that helps its members achieve success as public procurement leaders through the promotion of best practices, education, professional development, research, and innovative procurement strategies. 

About UPPCC: The Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) is an independent entity formed to govern and administer the Certified Public Procurement Officer (CPPO) and Certified Professional Public Buyer (CPPB) certification programs. The CPPO and CPPB programs are the most highly regarded and well-respected certifications among procurement professionals and their employers in the public sector. To date, the UPPCC has certified well over 14,000 professionals, primarily within the US and Canada but in other nations around the globe. 

Contact: Kate Davila
Director of Marketing and Communications, NASPO
kdavila@naspo.org