The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP, www.strategyplus.org ) announces that the next deadline for applying for one of its strategic planning certifications is December 31, 2010. The certification is based on a rigorous Body of Knowledge in strategic planning and provides a professional designation for highly skilled and knowledgeable strategic planning professionals and executives.

"ASP held its first formal certification exam in April 2010 and received high marks for the quality of the exam," said ASP President Tim Trotter. "We conducted our second exam in 2010, in which more professionals were certified in strategic planning. In 2011 we have three scheduled certification exams, the first of which will take place in Dallas, Texas, on March 2, 2011, directly after ASP's Annual Strategic Planning Conference. Strategic planning practitioners who would like to take this exam need to submit their application by December 31, 2010."

In ASP's certification program, strategic planning professionals can achieve designation as either a Strategic Planning Professional (Level I) or a Strategic Management Professional (Level II). There is also a Strategic Planning Apprentice Program for students of, and new transfers into, the strategic planning field. The certification Body of Knowledge is taught by qualified ASP Registered Educational Providers throughout the world. The ASP certification exam will be administered by a third party exam administrator, Professional Testing Corporation. Strategic Planning professionals who wish to apply for a certification can apply online at ASP's website.

Through 2011, the senior-most strategic management professionals will be able to apply for and take the exam for the Level II SMP certification without having to achieve the Level I SPP certification first. In 2012, professionals seeking SMP certification will no longer be grandfathered and will have to take and pass the exam for the SPP certification before applying for and taking the SMP exam.

The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP) is the preeminent professional association for those engaged in strategic thinking, planning, and action. ASP currently has members in 40 states and several foreign countries, as well as active chapters operating in 14 metropolitan areas. Several others in the United States and in other countries are currently in formation. The chapters serve the local area with networking and educational programs geared to the subject of strategic planning.