Get Certified
Why get certified?
The Presentation Guild has created this certification process in keeping with our goals of promoting the presentation design and production industry as a profession, recognizing the skills and expertise of the presentation craftsman.
By acquiring certification, your presentation skills can be represented to peers, clients, and employers with recognized authority and clear identification of your skills.
Our professional certifications reflect attainment of established criteria for proficiency and competency in the presentation industry. They require a specified amount of industry experience and are granted upon an assessment of an individual’s knowledge and skills. Our professional certifications have ongoing requirements that must be met every two years.
There are three levels of certification: Certified Presentation Specialist (CPS™) – PowerPoint, Certified Presentation Expert (CPE™) – PowerPoint, and Certified Presentation Master (CPM™) – PowerPoint. Our Specialist and Expert exams are currently available.
Can I take the test in any order?
Each certification builds upon the previous certification, so testing for each level must be completed prior to advancing to the next level.
How quickly you take the exams is up to you. For example, if you want test for the Master certification and haven’t obtained the Specialist and Expert certifications, you may take all three exams back to back.
Note: Currently, the Certified Presentation Specialist (CPS™) and Certified Presentation Expert (CPE™) exams are available. We’re working on the Master level certification and will make that exam available as soon as we can.
Some thoughts on certification…
Board member Ric Bretschneider has captured our thoughts about certs nicely here, and of course we feel it’s well worth a read.
Questions?
If you still have questions, we’ll be happy to help. Email us at certifications@presentationguild.org
The Certified Presentation Professional exams are comprised of three steps:
- Attesting that you have the minimum reqired presentation experience
- An online test of knowledge
- A practical test of skills requiring you to complete a series of presentation tasks.
Both tests are based on the Presentation Industry Standards released by the Presentation Guild.
- You must attest to your experience as you begin the online test. of knowledge.
- The online test of knowledge comprises a random selection of questions in the following formats:
- Single choice questions have only one answer and include True/False questions.
- Multiple choice questions have two or more answers and will always have one wrong answer. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- Matching questions require you to match a set of terms to their description. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- Fill in the blank questions require you to type in the answer. The answer must be spelled correctly but capitalization doesn’t matter.
- Some questions have more than one answer. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- This is a timed test (see specific time allotments for each). A score of 80% is required to pass.
- The practical test of skills consists of nine PowerPoint files, one for each of the nine categories in the Presentation Industry Standards. You will be asked to perform specific tasks in each file.
- The files must be downloaded, completed, and uploaded within 48 hours of starting the test.
- A score of 80% is required to pass.
You will see the results of your online test immediately upon completion, including your category scores. You will receive your final practical test results by email after it has been graded. Each passing professional receives a package that includes a certificate and badge upon successful completion of certification assessment.
The Certified Presentation Specialist (CPS™) exam is based on the 163 specialist-level Presentation Industry Standards released by Presentation Guild.
- You must attest that you have at least 1000 hours of experience working with PowerPoint(R) at the beginning of the online test.
- The online test of knowledge comprises a random selection of 130 (CPS™ ) out of 163 questions, in the following formats:
- Single choice questions have only one answer and include True/False questions.
- Multiple choice questions have two or more answers and will always have one wrong answer. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- Matching questions require you to match a set of terms to their description. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- Fill in the blank questions require you to type in the answer. The answer must be spelled correctly but capitalization doesn’t matter. Some questions have more than one answer. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question. You will have 3.5 hours to complete the online test of knowledge. A score of 80% is required to pass.
- The practical test of skills consists of nine PowerPoint files, one for each of the nine categories in the Presentation Industry Standards. You will be asked to perform specific tasks in each file. The files must be downloaded, completed, and uploaded within 48 hours of starting the test. You must complete 80% of the tasks correctly to pass.
The Certified Presentation Expert (CPE™) exam is based on the 117 expert-level Presentation Industry Standards released by Presentation Guild.
- You must attest that you have at least 3000 hours of experience working with PowerPoint(R) at the beginning of the online test.
- The online test of knowledge comprises a random selection of 100 (CPE™) out of 124 questions, in the following formats:
- Single choice questions have only one answer and include True/False questions.
- Multiple choice questions have two or more answers and will always have one wrong answer. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- Matching questions require you to match a set of terms to their description. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question.
- Fill in the blank questions require you to type in the answer. The answer must be spelled correctly but capitalization doesn’t matter. Some questions have more than one answer. Correct answers count for one point and incorrect answers deduct one point from that question. You will have 3 hours to complete the online test of knowledge. A score of 80% is required to pass.
- The practical test of skills consists of nine PowerPoint files, one for each of the nine categories in the Presentation Industry Standards. You will be asked to perform specific tasks in each file. The files must be downloaded, completed, and uploaded within 48 hours of starting the test. You must complete at least 80% of the tasks correctly to pass.
Certification exam pricing:
Guild Members: $200 USD
Non-members: $350 USD
Student pricing:
We offer student pricing on the Certified Presentation Specialist (CPS™) exam. Full-time students pay $50 for a certification exam emailing proof of enrollment and copy of Student ID to certifications@presentationguild.org.
Guild members are entitled to a free self-assessment spreadsheet, a free Study and Reference Guide, and up to three practice tests. None of these are prerequisites for certification exams, but are highly recommended and beneficial in preparing you for the test content and experience.
Join The Presentation Guild now to take advantage of these benefits and more.
Our certification program has ongoing requirements for maintaining proficiency and competency, and certifications are revoked if those requirements are not met. Certification is valid for two years after it is awarded. Those wishing to renew their certification must submit documentation of continued education and pay a renewal fee.
- Member = $100
- Nonmember = $250
If certification expires prior to renewal, the applicant will be required to pay for and pass the Certification Exam again.
A Certified Presentation Professional™ demonstrates their commitment to the development of the presentation industry and growth of their craftsmanship through documented completion of hours spent in acquiring experience, participating in training, and/or mentoring others — all activities that contribute to the knowledge and/or skill of crafting presentations.
These hours must be completed and documented and renewal fees paid prior to the certification renewal date.
Certified Presentation Specialist (CPS™) exam prep
Presentation Industry Standards
Industry standards are specifications designed to make a specific industry more efficient and effective. They are the generally accepted requirements which are followed by the members of an industry, and they serve as a quality check for any industry. The Presentation Guild Presentation Industry Professional Standards are used to assess mastery/competency of knowledge and skills for our certification program.
The Presentation Guild Presentation Industry Professional Standards a free download available for everyone. All certification exam questions and tasks are based on these standards.
Self-Assessment Spreadsheet
A self-assessment spreadsheet is available to help you track your progress and skills tied to each standard. The self-assessment spreadsheet is a member-exclusive perk.
CPS Study and Reference Guide
CPS Study and Reference Guide The CPS Study and Reference Guide provides you with the appropriate industry standards in the nine categories, a brief description of each standard, and what you should research, study and/or practice to pass the exam.
This reference guide is free for Guild members. Non-members can purchase it for $25.
Certified Presentation Expert (CPE™) exam prep
Presentation Industry Standards
Industry standards are specifications designed to make a specific industry more efficient and effective. They are the generally accepted requirements which are followed by the members of an industry, and they serve as a quality check for any industry. The Presentation Guild Presentation Industry Professional Standards are used to assess mastery/competency of knowledge and skills for our certification program.
The Presentation Guild Presentation Industry Professional Standards a free download available for everyone. All certification exam questions and tasks are based on these standards.
Self-Assessment Spreadsheet
A self-assessment spreadsheet is available to help you track your progress and skills tied to each standard. The self-assessment spreadsheet is a member-exclusive perk.
CPE Study and Reference Guide
The CPE Study and Reference Guide provides you with the appropriate industry standards in the nine categories, a brief description of each standard, and what you should research, study and/or practice to pass the exam.
This reference guide is free for Guild members.
