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The CLP exam is now available at more than 400 international test sites. Read on to learn more about the development of the exam and how you can register to earn your CLP credential.
The Certified Licensing ProfessionalTM (CLP) program, launched in 2008, recognizes professionals who have demonstrated their experience and proficiency in the licensing and commercialization of intellectual property. The designation is built on internationally applicable standards of professional practice with the goal of providing greater visibility to the licensing professional with added creditability and prestige.
There are currently more than 800 practicing CLP designees worldwide. In the last year, CLP, Inc. has made several advances including expanding to international test sites to address the needs of a global industry. As the recognition of and demand for the program increases, it is important for all interested candidates to understand its history and how CLP, Inc. develops and maintains the CLP exam.
How did the CLP program begin?
Professional organizations are strong proponents of providing quality educational content to licensing professionals.
The progression of that dedication to professional development was the creation of the Certified Licensing Professionals (CLP) program, under the guidance of the Licensing Executives Society (USA & Canada).
A quality certification program is not developed overnight. It took multiple years and dedicated volunteers to develop the program. These volunteers are industry experts who reviewed job analysis data to determine the tasks necessary to perform the job, created an exam content outline, developed items (or exam questions), assembled the first form of the exam, and created the organizational structure of the program—to name only a few of their charges.
What updates has the CLP, Inc. made to continue advancing the quality of the CLP program?
CLP, Inc. includes more than 60 volunteers who continually evaluate and improve the CLP exam and overall program. While these volunteers are responsible for a variety of tasks, they undertook three specific projects recently that are particularly noteworthy—the creation of the CLP, Inc. as a separate legal entity, the expansion of international testing sites, and the comprehensive review of exam questions (or items).
After launching the CLP exam in 2008, CLP, Inc. was created as a separately incorporated 501(c)(6) organization governed by a volunteer Board of Governors including representation from leading industry associations such as Licensing Executives Society (LES), Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), and the Association of University Technology Transfer Managers (AUTM). This structure is essential to ensure that all stakeholders continue to have a voice in the program.
In March, the CLP Board of Governors voted to offer the exam at test sites around the world.
“Licensing professionals, like many other industries, practice in a global arena,” Kathleen Denis, Chair of the CLP Board of Governors, said. “By offering the exam at international test sites, we hope to build the recognition of the program on a global scale and expand access to it.”
In 2009, the CLP, Inc. Exam Development and Maintenance Committee took on the task of reviewing every question to ensure that the quality of the exam and program is maintained. The exam question or item bank is the core of any certification program and writing questions that are relevant and appropriate is not as simple as it may seem. It involves item writers who are subject-matter experts (or SMEs) and multiple levels of review by a variety of parties to take a question from creation to actually being placed on an exam.
The lifecycle of any certification program is dynamic. The CLP program is built on solid standards of quality, but is also flexible enough to adapt and respond to changes that occur in the industry. The CLP exam is offered during two, month-long testing windows each year, in March and September.
To learn more about the CLP designation, visit the CLP, Inc. Web site atwww.licensingcertification.org/ or email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org.
CLP Frequently Asked Questions
Who should take the CLP exam?
Licensing professionals who are focused on the multidisciplinary aspects of licensing; have received a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university; have at least three years of professional experience in the licensing field; and are currently employed in the licensing field will qualify to take the CLP exam. The CLP program is open to all licensing professionals who meet these criteria and is not limited to LES members.
When can I take the CLP exam?
The CLP exam will be offered during March and September 2009 at approximately 400 testing centers internationally. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions with a three-hour time limit. To apply, simply visit the CLP Web site at www.licensingcertification.org
What are the benefits?
Holding the CLP designation not only indicates to clients and employers that you have demonstrated an elite skill level in your field, it also serves to increase your stature in the profession and enhance your career opportunities.
The CLP credential marks a new standard of recognition in licensing by providing formal acknowledgement of your skills and experience.
How can I prepare for the exam?
The CLP exam covers eight content areas: strategy, opportunity assessment, IP protection, valuation, marketing, agreement drafting & development, negotiation and agreement management. A detailed content outline, reference list and sample questions are available in the CLP Candidate Handbook & Study Guidelines, which can be downloaded from the CLP Web site. In addition to reviewing these resources, each applicant will receive access to a 50-question online practice test.
Where can I find more information?
Developing and validating items, or exam questions, and assembling each version of the exam are vital steps in the maintenance of the CLP certification program. Its success and growth, both in the United States and internationally, depends greatly on the quality and value of the exam content. CLP, Inc. goes through a rigorous, multi-step process to write, review and validate the items candidates see on the exam.