Designations
Designations for Public Procurement Professionals
Earning a credential can help public procurement professionals stand out in their field. It demonstrates your commitment to ongoing professional development, highlights your expertise, and shows that you are dedicated to deepening your understanding of the complex public procurement environment.
There are a variety of designations that public procurement professionals may consider. The OPBA does not endorse or recommend any specific credential. Other supply chain and procurement-related certifications may also be relevant. We encourage members to explore their options and select the credentials that best align with their career goals.
Below are resources to help you begin your journey:
Interested In Becoming An OPBA Member?
Anyone working in public procurement across Canada can join OPBA and gain access to a wide range of resources, professional development opportunities, and a community of procurement professionals.
NIGP-CPP Certification
NIGP-CPP is one of several ways a procurement professional can be publicly recognized for the achievement of competencies. NIGP serves more than 2,600+ public agencies and 17,300 public procurement professionals throughout North America.
The Ontario Public Buyers Association is an Authorized Education Provider (AEP).
The NIGP Certification Commission’s Authorized Education Provider Program takes the guesswork out of recertification by providing reasonable assurances to NIGP-CPP certificants that their educational activities should result in Continuing Education Hours (CEHs) for recertification if the activity aligns with the Public Procurement Competency Framework.
NIGP Courses
The OPBA has been a chapter of NIGP since 1977 to support our members in pursuing certification or re-certifying their credentials, including the CPPB, CPPO, NIGP-CPP.
Registration for NIGP courses takes place on the NIGP website.
Be sure to identify yourself as an OPBA member as a portion of your registration fee is returned to OPBA to support our member programs and services.
OPBA is proud to recognize the growing roster of Canadian trainers, including:
- Lynda Allair, NIGP-CPP, CPPO
- Chris Allen, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
- Carl Bonitto, CSCMP
- Stéphanie Dion, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
- Robin Friefield-Hudson, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
- Tharshini Markandaier, NIGP-CPP
- Emma Sears, CPPO, NIGP-CPP, CPPB
- Donna Zeeh Chorley, NIGP-CPP, CPPO, CPPB
Want to learn more about NIGP Pathways? Click on the logo below.
Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC)
Universal Public Procurement Certification Council (UPPCC) offers certification for the CPPB and CPPO designations.
The Ontario Public Buyers Association is a recognized training partner of UPPCC.
UPPCC Initial and Recertification Fee Discounts
As OPBA is a recognized training partner of UPPCC, OPBA members are eligible for a discount when they apply for certification or recertification. The discounts include $125 off of the Application Fee and $50 off the Recertification Fee.
Follow the steps below to access the discount:
- Look for the section on called “Affiliations and Discounts” on the certification or re-certification application forms
- Select OPBA from the pull-down menu.
- Attach proof of membership. (Your membership certificate can be found on the OPBA member’s dashboard under the “Membership Information’ tab.
More information on the CPPO Certification Program can be found here.
Exam Prep Resources
Preparing to write your exam? Check out these resources:
- CPPB and CPPO: Click here to learn more about UPPCC approved prep resources.
- CPPB: Cilck here for details on OPBA's UPPCC approved prep course (CPPO coming soon)
- NIGP-CPP: Click here to learn more about how to prepare for the NIGP exam.
Want to know more about our Principles Certificate Program?
The Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Program provides a solid foundation of entry-level training for public sector procurement. Learners participate in interactive courses, complete one of three electives, and prove their understanding by passing a final written exam.