Principles Program

Program overview

The Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Program is a highly regarded, industry-standard program that provides a solid foundation of entry-level training for public sector procurement. In the program, learners participate in interactive courses, complete one of three electives, and prove their understanding by passing a final written exam.

The knowledge and skills gained during the Principles Program are necessary for anyone who spends public funds or is involved in tendering or contracting for goods and services or in issuing requests for proposals, tenders, quotations, or other bid documents.

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Who should take the program?

The Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Program is intended for individuals new to public procurement or in an entry level position in a public agency purchasing/procurement department. Some agency departments include public works, parks and recreation, finance, maintenance and property management, schools, and health care agencies. The course may also offer insight and understanding to those who are working with public procurement professionals. 

What are the requirements to earn my certificate?
To complete the full program and earn your Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate, the following courses must be successfully completed:

• Introduction to Public Procurement
• Procurement and the Law
• Risk Management
• Competitive Bidding
• Advanced Competitive Bidding
• Introduction to Construction
• Co-operative Procurement
• Participation in two additional workshops (ie, OPBA Talks, Coffee with Counsel, Procurement Specialists Meeting, People Leaders Meeting, OPBA spring/fall workshops, OPBA Annual Meeting or Conference, or webinars/seminars hosted outside of OPBA that are procurement focused - other OPBA courses can fit this criterion as well, such as the RFP course, Supplier Performance, Advanced Construction)
• Write the exam and earn a grade of 75% or higher - second attempt exams can be written with a final grade of 80% or higher to successfully earn your certificate

What are the benefits of taking the Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Program? 

By completing the program and earning your Principles Certificate, you demonstrate to employers that you are invested in your career, committed to ongoing professional development, and constantly improving your understanding of the complex public procurement environment. Many job postings for junior positions indicate that enrollment or completion of the OPBA's Principles of Effective Public Procurement Certificate Program is either required or an asset. Enrolling in the program is a great way to make your resumé stand out from the rest.   

Eligibility

You do not need to be a member of OPBA to enroll in the program or write the exam, although it is certainly more cost-effective to do so. There are also many benefits to membership including the ability to take advantage of all the free or member-discounted resources OPBA has to offer as well as networking with like-minded colleagues. 

Note: completing the enrollment form below is mandatory to participate in and complete the PrinciplesCertificate Program. There is no enrollment fee for the program.

Course Pricing 

2025 Courses: 

*Price is per Principles course: Introduction to Public Procurement, Procurement and the Law, Risk Management, Competitive Bidding, Advanced Competitive Bidding, Co-operative Procurement, Introduction to Procurement for Construction, Principles Exam Prep Course

2026 Courses: 

*Price is per Principles course: Introduction to Public Procurement, Procurement and the Law, Risk Management, Competitive Bidding, Advanced Competitive Bidding, Co-operative Procurement, Introduction to Procurement for Construction

**For Principles courses delivered via Zoom, including the Principles Exam Prep course