Requirements for the Certified Professional Parliamentarian (CPP) Credential
To earn the Certified Professional Parliamentarian (CPP) credential from the American Institute of Parliamentarians (AIP), you must meet the following requirements:
- Certified Parliamentarian (CP): Hold a current CP credential.
- Oral Examination: Pass a comprehensive oral exam with a minimum score of 90%. The exam fee is $600. See exam policies.
- Service Points: Earn 30 service points in areas like parliamentary education, service to AIP, and parliamentary services.
About the CPP Exam
- Exam Format: The oral exam is conducted in two parts:
- Parliamentary Theory: Tests your knowledge and ability to explain parliamentary concepts and procedures.
- Presiding Demonstration: Evaluates your skills in presiding over a meeting.
- There will be a 15-minute break between the two parts.
- Exam Setting: The exam is administered by three AIP members who hold the Certified Professional Parliamentarian credential and is observed by an audience of AIP members.
- Study Materials: Familiarize yourself with the following resources:
- Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised, 12th edition
- American Institute of Parliamentarians Standard Code of Parliamentary Procedure, 2nd edition
- Joint Code of Professional Responsibility for Parliamentarians
- Cannon’s Concise Guide to Rules of Order
- Other valuable study guides include the American Institute of Parliamentarians Study Manual and Parliamentary Law by Henry M. Robert.
- Eligibility: You must have successfully passed the CP exam at least one year before the start of the CPP exam window.
Preparation and Practice
- Observation: It is highly recommended that you observe at least one CPP oral exam before applying.
- Practical Experience: Gain valuable knowledge and practical application through Practicums and educational presentations at the Annual Session. Find dates for these events on the AIP calendar.
Additional Resources
- CPP Application Package: For detailed information, obtain the CPP Application Package from the ‘members-only’ section of the AIP website.
Examination Window* Application Window
Winter Practicum 2026 November 7, 2025
January 15-17, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
Annual Session 2026 June 5, 2026
Late Summer 2026
Location TBD
*CPP Exams are only given at AIP events with an in-person component; at hybrid events, only those attending in-person are permitted to observe the exam. Only members are allowed to observe the exam.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the CPP Exam, please contact accrediting@aipparl.org.
Register for the CPP Exam
Are you ready to take the next step in your parliamentary journey?