The CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® Credential

Requirements for the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® Credential

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® (U.S. Reg. No. 8,446,623) and CERTIFIED PARLIAMENTARIAN^® (U.S. Reg. No. 8,446,622) are registered service marks of the American Institute of Parliamentarians.

To earn the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® credential from the American Institute of Parliamentarians (AIP), you must meet the following requirements:

• CERTIFIED PARLIAMENTARIAN^® credential: Hold a current CERTIFIED PARLIAMENTARIAN^® credential.
• Oral Examination: Pass a comprehensive CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® oral examination 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 CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® Examination

• Exam Format: The CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® oral examination 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 CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® examination 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 CERTIFIED PARLIAMENTARIAN^® examination at least one year before the start of the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® examination window.

Preparation and Practice

• Observation: It is highly recommended that you observe at least one CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® oral examination 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

• Application package for the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® credential: For detailed information, obtain the application package for the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® credential from the ‘members-only’ section of the AIP website.

Examination Window*                       Application Window
Winter Practicum 2027                       October 9, 2026
January 14-16, 2027
Las Vegas, NV

Annual Session 2027                           May 7, 2027
July 29-31 2027
Nashville, TN

*CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® Examinations are only given at AIP events with an in-person component; at hybrid events, only those attending in-person are permitted to observe the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® examination. Only members are allowed to observe the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® examination.

Contact Us

If you have questions about the CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL PARLIAMENTARIAN^® Examination, please contact accrediting@aipparl.org.