Certified International Trade Professional® (CITP) FAQs
What is Certified International Trade Professional® (CITP)?
With regards to government regulations and import/export responsibilities, recognizes the various uses of international trade documentation, monitors and improves companywide compliance. With exposure to foreign exchange markets, exchange rates, interest rates and currency swaps, grasp a solid framework of international trade finance. By understanding a culture’s impact on international trade and examines case studies implements a marketing strategy to identify marketing issues and concerns of successful participants in the global marketplace. In order to achieve objectives of their company’s implemented market research programs, surveys and plans to promote brands.
The individual seeking this certification will own the knowledge to lead its organization in the international trade. Therefore, becoming a valuable resource for international trade and will take the steps to advance their career in the import/export industry.
What are benefits to earn the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation?
For international business the Certified International Trade Professional (CITP®|FIBP®) designation is the world’s leading professional designation. So irrespective of you being new to the industry or hold a decade of experience the CITP®|FIBP® designation will help you:
- Earn a competitive advantage within your industry,
- Build credibility with clients,
- Colleagues and co-workers, and
- Land new jobs and promotions
In the competitive international business industry the CITP®|FIBP® designation makes you stand out because it proves you possessing the competencies, that global business experts have identified as being essential for a successful career in the international trade.
It also identifies your commitment to global trade as a professional, your dedication to ethical business practices and the ongoing professional development (the desirable traits for today’s global business practitioners).
How is the CITP®|FIBP® designation acknowledged in Canada and around the world?
The Canadian government, Export Development Canada and the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA), which currently operates in 88 countries worldwide have been endorsing the CITP®|FIBP® designation and FITT’s training.
The CITP®|FIBP® designation has become an asset for the employees in job listings for a wide range of international positions. Go to the jobs section in our TradeReady blog and view the featured listings at the top of the page to see the latest positions seeking candidates with the CITP®|FIBP® designation.
Is the CITP®|FIBP® designation for me?
If you work in international business in any capacity, or aspiring to do so, then CITP®|FIBP® designation is the right choice for you.
Your competencies that are necessary to compete with global players are by the CITP®|FIBP® designation proves. Irrespective of you working in import/export, logistics and supply chain management, marketing, business development, sales, law, finance, or other fields,.
Also, it’s equally valuable for professionals at all career stages, whether you’re into your career or hold a decade of experience.
All CITP®|FIBP® designation holders are active in international trade in some form is the most common thing among them, also they indentify the value of professional certification
- For career advancement
- Credibility
- Proof of their skills and knowledge.
How do I become a CITP®|FIBP®?
You must have A successful completion of the FIT skills program, or equivalency thereof is necessary to qualify the CITP®|FIBP® designation, and you must have a minimum one year of professional international business experience.
To apply for the CITP®|FIBP® designation there are three steps meeting the requirement. Based on your level of education and experience in global business Choose the right option for you.
Towards earning the CITP®|FIBP® designation does prior education and experience count?
Yes! You can use your prior learning experience to earn FITTskills course credits to work towards earning the FITT Diploma in International Trade, one of the steps towards earning the certification. While, to do so submit your portfolio and complete the professional exam. If you are missing some credits, take part in as many FITTskills courses as you need.
Highly experienced international business professionals with more than 10 years in the field can apply directly for the designation, without having to take any courses or complete any exams or assessments.
What’s the cost to become a CITP®|FIBP®?
In your CITP®|FIBP® application a cost of $270 CAD is there, which covers your first year of certification. But if your CITP®|FIBP® application does not approve, you will get refund.
To apply for the designation before you can submit your application there may also be additional costs to meet the criteria. This can be courses or workshops, or submitting a Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) portfolio.
After the submission of CITP®|FIBP® application how long does it takes to learn the status of my application?
Once application for CITP®|FIBP® has been submitted, you’ll receive an email stating your application has been received, along with an email copy of your receipt. The FITTstaff reviews most of the applications, while applications by those with 10 or more years of experience are also reviewed by the Certification and Accreditation Committee (CAC), which meets on a monthly basis. It often takes several weeks in the process of reviewing and finalizing your application, and may affect by the volume of applications, time needed to speak with your contacts or other factors.
You will next be contacted when the review of your application has been completed and its status can be finalized.
*Note Please do not be concerned if you have submitted your application and have not received any updates in the weeks since the initial confirmation – this timeline is within normal guidelines and any way it does not reflect negatively on the status of your application.
Once CITP®|FIBP® designation is earned how do I maintain it?
You must remain a member in good standing by paying your annual FITT CITP®|FIBP® dues in order to maintain your CITP®|FIBP® designation. And it is recommended to all the CITP®|FIBP® designation holders to undertake at least 30 hours of professional development each year in order to maintain their industry knowledge and skills.
What is the renewal cost of the CITP®|FIBP®?
The cost to renew the CITP®|FIBP® designation each year is $270. This is the same as the cost for your first year of certification included in the original application.
If my CITP®|FIBP® has expired, what do I need to do in order to renew it ?
Via the online membership renewal form in your user account, you can still renew your designation. To access it, go to your FITT user page. Now sign in, and then click FITT Members from the menu on the main part of the screen. And, then select Membership Renewal from the resulting dropdown menu.
I already hold CITP®|FIBP® designation, but in the Membership Directory, i can’t see myself. How do I add myself to the directory?
To list in the Membership Directory you must manually opt. This is due to a number of privacy concerns.
First, sign in to the FITT website to add yourself. Once you’ve done so,
- from the menu on the main part of the screen click FITT Members and My Profile from the resulting dropdown menu.
Once you’re there, you’ll see,
- A field to write a short bio about yourself, and
- A list of checkboxes giving you the control for which information is in the directory along with your name.
