HOW TO BECOME A CPSM
Becoming a Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) will test your knowledge and your mettle.
To sit for the CPSM examination, a candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Possess a bachelor’s degree or an advanced degree plus four years of experience in marketing or business development for firms providing professional services, or
- Possess an associate’s degree plus six years work experience in marketing or business development for firms providing professional services, or
- Without a degree, have eight years of experience in marketing or business development for firms providing professional services
- Complete and submit the online CPSM application form and application fee to Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). Include a copy of your college transcript or a notarized photocopy of your degree (when applicable). The application will be reviewed, and qualified candidates will receive their Scheduling Authorization from PTC.
- The CPSM examination is administered every year during two three-week testing periods in March and September. PTC will send approved candidates an email called the Scheduling Authorization approximately 11 weeks before the first day of the testing window. Candidates may not make an appointment to test until they receive this authorization.
- For 2023, the testing periods will be March 4 through March 25 and September 2 through 23, 2023. Applications deadlines: February 8, 2023 for the March 2023 window | August 2, 2023 for the September 2023 testing window.
- For 2024, the testing periods will be March 2-23 and September 7-28. Applications deadlines: February 1, 2024 for the March 2024 testing window | August 1, 2024 for the September 2024 testing window.
- Refer to the Scheduling Authorization for details on how to schedule your examination appointment at a Prometric Testing Center. Appointment times are first-come, first-serve, so schedule your appointment as soon as you receive your Scheduling Authorization to maximize your chance of testing at your preferred location and on your preferred date.
- To prepare for your CPSM exam, please refer to the recommended study materials list here.
| SMPS Member | Nonmember | |
| Application Fee: | $245 | $350 |
| Examination Fee: | $275 | $415 |
| Total Fee*: | $520 | $765 |
| Retesting Fee: | $275 | $415 |
| Recertification Fee*: | $225 | $375 |
Cancellation Policies
As a Certified Professional Services Marketer:
I will maintain and advance my knowledge of professional services marketing, respect the body of marketing knowledge, and contribute to its growth.
I promise to continually seek to raise the standards of excellence in professional services marketing.
I pledge to pursue my professional activities with honesty and fairness, to demonstrate the highest standard of personal conduct, to actively encourage the highest level of ethical standards within the profession, and to report unethical behavior to the Society for Marketing Professional Services.
I promise to practice in a manner that supports the rights of employers, employees, and clients and will not discriminate because of race, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability.
I recognize my responsibility to uphold all laws and regulations relating to my firm’s policies and activities.
I promise to be loyal to the firm that employs me and pursue its objectives in ways that are consistent with the public interest.
In partnership with Professional Testing Corporation (PTC), the Society recently conducted a Job Task Analysis survey to help define the scope of practice and knowledge needed for marketers and business developers in the A/E/C industries.
The resulting survey information provided insight on the core skills most critical for Professional Services Marketing going forward, and the Society refreshed the SMPS Domains of Practice for Professional Services Marketing in Spring 2023.
The SMPS Domains of Practice serve as the foundation for the Society’s Certified Professional Services Marketer (CPSM) Exam, so the CPSM Exam and Handbook were also refreshed.
The MARKENDIUM, also known as the SMPS Body of Knowledge, further defines the six Domains of Practice for the Society and professional services marketing. The refreshed MARKENDIUM was released in Spring 2023 and is available for purchase though Amazon.
Questions and comments on the refreshed Domains of Practice can be directed to Natalie Gozzard, SMPS Vice President of Component Relations and Certification.
Questions regarding the CPSM Exam can be directed to PTC.
Have questions? Please email knowledge@smps.org
