CPP Certification FAQs
Cost/Fees
How much does it cost (What are the fees) to become a Certified Professional Photographer?
There is a $100 fee to declare your CPP candidacy. This fee is valid for three years, and covers the cost for your exam and your image submission review. Once you pass both requirements (exam and image submission), there are additional fees to use the CPP designation:
- If you are a PPA or SEP member, you will pay a $50 credentialing fee annually with your PPA or SEP membership renewal. You must re-certify every five years.
- If you are not a PPA or SEP member, you will pay a $400 credentialing fee to use the CPP designation. This $400 fee must be paid before you can use your designation. This fee allows you to use the CPP designation for 5 years. You must re-certify every five years.
Why does it cost more if I'm not a PPA or a SEP member?
PPA and SEP members renew their memberships annually and the PPCC allows PPA and SEP members to pay a portion of their credentialing fee annually. The PPCC does not invoice non-PPA or non-SEP members annually. The credentialing fee of $400 must be paid before non-PPA or non-SEP members before one can use the designation.
Can I submit images or take the exam before I declare my candidacy?
No.
- If you submit images and do not declare your candidacy by paying the appropriate fees, your image submission will be deleted. You will not be notified of the deletion, as it is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that candidacy is declared before images are submitted.
- If you take the exam and do not declare your candidacy, your exam will not be scored or kept on file. It will be destroyed. You will not be notified, as it is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that candidacy is declared before you take the exam.
You can declare your candidacy in minutes with a credit card payment and filling out a form. Please be aware that if you send a check or money order instead of using a credit card, your candidacy is not declared until payment is received and processed by the PPCC office. Do not run the risk of not having your images judged or your exam scored because you waited to submit your payment.
If you register for an exam or register to submit images, you are reminded that you must declare your candidacy.
Steps to becoming a CPP
What are the steps to become a CPP?
There are three steps. The first step is declaring your candidacy. Once you've declared your candidacy, you must successfully pass the CPP Certification Exam and successfully pass the image submission review. You may complete these two steps in either order.
Resources/Books
What version of the Photography by London and Upton book should I purchase?
If you wish to purchase this resource, either the 9th or 10th editions are valid.
Please be aware that you do not need to purchase this resource to take this exam, and that the exam questions are not taken from the book. This resource is a general study guide for the fundamentals of today's imaging industry.
These editions are available for purchase on most online book sites. (PPA and SEP members receive a 5% discount when they purchase from Barnes & Noble using the PPA/SEP discount.) You can also reach out to CPPs who may be willing to sell or allow you to borrow their edition.
How often do I need to re-certify?
Once you've achieved the CPP designation, you will need to re-certify every five years. For more information about re-certification, visit the Get Re-Certified section of this website.
Are there any webinars or resources to help me?
Absolutely! Visit the CPP Resources section of this website to view webinars and get contact information for a Certification Liaison in your area. (Certification Liaisons are CPPs who offer to assist CPP and CPP candidates.)
OurPPA Certified Professional Photographer forum thread is a resource for CPP candidates, including the Anonymous Image Submission resource. (This is a great help for the image submission review process!)
Certify with Sandy is another great resource, offering a forum and educational resources for CPP candidates.
International Candidates/CPPs
Can you be a CPP if you live outside of the United States?
Yes! The CPP designation is an international designation. There are CPPs all over the world.
How can I take the exam if I'm not in the United States?
Contact the PPCC and arrangements can be made to have an exam proctored in your country. In countries where a Certification Liaison is not available, the PPCC reaches out to the country's official photographic organization to assist in proctoring.
What if I don't speak English as my first language? Can I take the exam in another language?
Please note that the CPP certification exam is written in English. You must read English and understand the technical terms of photography in English. No translation services are offered.
The CPP Exam
Can I just show up to a testing location to take the exam?
You must register at least five days in advance to take the CPP Certification Exam. A roster of registered CPP candidates are sent along with the appropriate number and type of exams. If you do not register, you will not have an exam waiting for you.
What is a passing score for the CPP Certification exam?
There are 100 items on the exam, each worth one point. A passing result is 70 or higher. This means that you must correctly answer 70 out of the 100 items on the exam.
When will I be notified of my exam results?
Once the completed CPP exams are returned to the PPCC office, they are scored and CPP candidates are sent their results via US Mail. Scores are not given over the telephone or by email.
What happens if I fail the exam?
If you receive a notification from the PPCC that your score is 69 or below, you may take the CPP Certification exam again.
There is no additional charge for re-taking the exam in your three year CPP candidacy period.
If I fail the exam, how soon can I take it again?
You may take the exam once every 30 days.
How is the exam structured?
The exam is 100 multiple choice items. For more information, view sample items on the CPP Certification Exam and review the Exam Specifications page of this website.
Why isn't there an exam listed in my area?
Exams dates and locations are being added almost daily. Please check back frequently. All exams are listed 60 days in advance, giving enough time for CPP candidates to register and prepare.
How can I request an exam in my area if there are no exam dates listed in my area?
If there is no exam listed in your area, you can email using the Contact Us link in the upper right hand corner of this screen. The PPCC will assist in scheduling a public proctoring of the exam in your area within an appropriate timeframe.
Image Submission
How do I know what the judges are looking for?
Review the article in the CPP Resources section titled: What the CPP Judges Look For
When are the image submission review dates?
The dates for the 2010 image submission review dates are listed here.
When will I get my results of my image submission review?
Once the image submission deadline passes, portfolios are reviewed by a panel of CPP judges. This process can take up to two weeks, depending on the number of portfolio submissions. The results of the image submission review are sent by US mail approximately three weeks after the image submission review deadline.
What happens if my portfolio for the image submission review is not accepted?
You have the opportunity to have a CPP Judging Feedback session via telephone to review your portfolio results with a CPP judge.
Please be aware:
- Only CPP candidates whose images been submitted and did not pass the most recent image submission review will receive an image judging feedback session. Candidates who have not submitted images are not eligible.
- Portfolios older than the last image portfolio review are not kept in the system.
- You must request your image submission judging feedback session within 30 days after you've been notified.
Candidates eligible for a feedback session are notified by mail with their portfolio results with instructions on how to request an image feedback judging session.
Who can help me before my image submission review?
Anonymous Image Submission resource on the OURPPA.com forums allows you to upload images anonymously for constructive criticism and comments.
