The Association for Strategic Planning (ASP, www.strategyplus.org ) announces that the next deadline for applying for one of its
strategic planning certifications is April 8, 2011. 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 Certification Program Coordinator, Terrianne Reynolds. "We had our second exam in 2010 and a third on March 1, 2011, at which more professionals were certified in strategic planning. In 2011 we have two more scheduled certification exam periods when applicants can take the exam at a variety of locations offered by third party exam administrator
Professional Testing Corporation."
Strategic planning practitioners who would like to take the exam in the next testing period, between June 11 and 25, 2011, need to
submit their application by April 8, 2011. After the June testing period, the next time to take the certification exam is between October 1 and 15, 2011, and the application deadline for that period is July 30, 2011.
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. 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.