Set Your Sights on Pittsburgh!

The 2017 IABC Heritage Region Conference brings together three days of high energy keynotes, speakers and networking activities that that will enhance and invigorate your career. Join approximately 200 communication, public relations and marketing practitioners from all over the United States and Canada as you discover the possibilities for your career, now and in the future.

Join us and learn something new, make meaningful professional contacts, and experience beautiful downtown Pittsburgh.

Check out conference details by clicking on the logo above.

IABC/Pittsburgh and IABC/Heritage Region have been selected to co-host both certification exams currently offered through the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) prior to the start of Heritage Region Conference 2017.

The two GCCC exams are the Communication Management Professional Certification (CMP) and the Senior Communication Management Professional Certification (SCMP). This is the first time that the SCMP exam is being offered prior to the region’s conference. The SCMP exam debuted at World Conference 2017 in June.

The three-hour exams will be held from 2-5 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Omni William Penn Hotel in Pittsburgh, Pa.

Global Certification Offers Benefits

Professionals who hold GCCC certification are included in a register on the GCCC’s website. Your listing will show your GCCC certification credential along with any other professional designations you hold, the country and city where you are based, and the date when your certification is up for renewal.

Additional Benefits

• Keep your professional skills and knowledge both fresh and applicable to your career stage and career objectives. This is accomplished through the Global Standard and the GCCC’s annual requirements for maintaining your certification.
• Your GCCC-issued certificate is third-party evidence that you are knowledgeable and hold expertise in communication.
• Gain an edge to differentiate yourself from the competition to win that job or promotion! Certification provides evidence of your qualifications and your participation in continuous learning.

Portability of your certification credential on a global basis.

Acknowledgment of your skills and expertise among your peers.

Demonstration of a commitment to your communication career.

A well-earned sense of professional achievement.

Certification Exam Qualifications
GCCC certification is open to any communication professional who qualifies as determined by the information provided on the application form. An individual does not have to be a member of IABC or any other professional organization.

To qualify for the CMP Exam, you must have:

• Eight years of experience
• Completed 40 hours of training within the two years prior to your application date

OR

• Six years of experience
• Two years of education
• Completed 40 hours of training within the two years prior to your application date

To qualify for the SCMP, you must have:

• 11 years of experience
• Completed 20 hours of training within the two years prior to your application date
• Submitted a letter of recommendation with your application form.

It is not necessary to hold the CMP credential in order to take the SCMP exam.

Complete These Steps to Take the Exam on Nov. 4

You must complete two steps in order to take the exam on Nov: 4:

• Submit your completed application and the application fee to the GCCC for verification. You will be notified of your application status within 30 days. There is a specific application form for each exam.
  
  Important Deadline – Wednesday, Oct. 4 is the last day to submit application/application fee for priority consideration
• Once your application has been approved, you must register for the exam and submit the exam fee. You have two years from the date of your application to take the exam.
  
  Important Deadline – Saturday, Oct. 28 is the last day to register/submit exam fee for Nov. 4 exam in Pittsburgh

Taking the Certification Exam

Until 2017, candidates completed the exam using paper and pencil. Now, the exam is web-based. All exam questions remain in the multiple-choice format. Each candidate must bring a laptop and cables/connectors to tap into the hotel’s hard-wired internet service.

Once your registration request and fees have been received by the GCCC, you will be sent an Admission to Examination Notice for the exact location and related details for your exam. This notice will be sent to your email address on record with the GCCC.

Here’s Where to Find More Information on Certification

For complete information on the certification program, qualifications, application forms, exam registration, fees, and the Candidate Handbook (aka GCCC Handbook), visit the GCCC website.