FAQS

1) How do I determine if I am eligible?

Life is a negotiation! Therefore, any professional working at the exempt-level with at least three years of management experience; professional PMI, SHRM or other national certification are eligible. For those who work in a consultative sales role, help negotiate supply-chain contracts, vendor relationships, or manage client-vendor agreements would be eligible even at the exempt level. If you have questions, call us at 800-506-9479

2) What is the goal of the CPN Certification?

The CPN is intended to recognize professionals who manage teams, client/vendor contracts, or work in a sales capacity whereby they negotiate. The certification has been deemed an applied-learning certification conferred by the SLA based on the Professionalism: Effectively Applied Knowledge (PEAK™)PEAK Institute of applied learning professionals because of the experience and process used by effective negotiators. While there are many national associations of negotiations professionals (e.g., Volunteers of America Mediators; First Responders, and more) the Strategic Learning Alliance is the first credentialing agency to recognized the professional skills required by a negotiator; especially those in non-legal professional roles.

3) How do people know I have passed this exam?

Learners who pass the exam will be allowed to place the designation CPN after their name on all signature blocks. This is conferred by the Board of Directors of the Strategic Learning Alliance which has reviewed the application requirements, the exam requirements, and approved the content provided by the prep programs and the preparation courses. For example, Susie Sample Learner, MBA, CPN.

4) What are the benefits of certification over a certificate?

According to the Society of SHRM (2010/12; see also SRP, 2013) nine out of ten HR positions required certification to be advanced within an HR department. Further investigation by the Strategic Learning Alliance, and the Seattle Jobs Initiative suggests that employers want demonstrated applied skills in addition to theoretic (academic) knowledge. Thus, certification not only measures applied technical skill within a professional environment, but also allows those professionals to stand out better that someone completing a certificate. A certificate is valuable for enhancing on-going learning and expertise of the academic theory behind a given subject. However, a certificate does not demonstrate any applied capabilities. Furthermore, many hiring managers and recruiters will screen applications based on applied certification. Therefore, having a certification is deemed to be of considerably more value than having completed a certificate course.

5) Why has this CPN Certification Program been developed?

Due to the demand for human resource, project management, and sales positions; certification has become paramount. Unfortunately, the two-year professional requirement of national Human Resource certification results in many employers essentially using the wrong tool to screen for the wrong "seat" on the team. The CPN, therefore, was crafted to recognize those professional working in non-legal roles with experience managing and negotiating contracts, team-relationships, or driving organizational-results at the non-exempt and exempt-levels.

6) Are there any hidden costs?

All CPNs are required to continue their education. These are called CEU's and may require payment depending where you obtain your CEU's. The SLA and their affiliates often have low-cost or free options. However, other than the learning prices set by the SLA (fee includes exam, class, and applicable material) there are no other costs.

7) What if I want to take the exam at any-time?

The CPN exam-only (if qualified based on having taken a negotiations course from an accredited college within the past 24 months, or from an SLA approved provider) is held the first week of each month. SLA courses (immersion-based live-online options) are held monthly and each year the SLA hosts a leadership conference where you can obtain your CPN, CPC, HRA, or CPL certification (occurs bi-annually).

8) What is the pass-guarantee program?

Any learner taking an SLA contracted course who completes the outlined activities in their syllabus will pass. Those taking the exam-only option pass at a rate of 25%; the SLA often will apply that investment toward the cost of an SLA program in the event you attempt the exam-only option and do not pass.

9) What happens if my exam application is denied?

You may petition within 2 business days to the email address provided.

10) What is the refund policy for the exam and program options?

There are no refunds for the exams. Exams are taken online and therefore are not subjected to in-climate weather or personal conflicts. Participants opting for a delay due to unforeseen personal hardship may waive their exam for up to 6 months before forfeiting all paid monies. Preparation providers may set the refund policies based on their sole discretion.

11) Who bills me?

Currently, the SLA manages the billings for all programs directly at the point of registration. If you are approved for payment options (need-based) you will be billed by the contracted learning management provider working on behalf of the SLA.