Certification

PPA has launched a new and improved CPP Curriculum that is broken down into six modules (sections) to help candidates learn at their own pace. Each module contains educational videos by different instructors, visual presentations, quizzes, the Photography Certification Guide, and the on demand exam that corresponds with that module. 

*Tip: You will need to use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge as your browser to take each of the exams. 

It is $200 to declare your candidacy and you will have two years to pass the exams and pass the Technical Image Evaluation. You will also have the option to pay for 10 exam attempts when you declare your candidacy. The cost for the exams is $25. 

*Any candidate that declared their candidacy before February 1, 2025, does not have to pass the Introduction to Business Exam.* 

The modules are located under the “Education” tab at the top of the page when you log into your PPA account.  

Click on “Credentials” and then click on “CPP Curriculum” and you will see all six of the modules there under the Credentialing section.

You may start in any module and skip around, or you can just start with the first module. 

Module 1: Cameras, Lenses, and Attachments

Module 2: Lighting and Flash Photography

Module 3: Design and Composition

Module 4: Exposures and Metering

Module 5: Digital Post-production

Module 6: Introduction to Business (New)

First, sign in to your PPA member account. 

Navigate to the “Education” tab and click on it. 

Then, click on “Curriculums” 

Go to the Certified Professional Photographer Curriculum and navigate to each of the Modules (there are 6). At the bottom of the module content, you will see the Certification Exam that corresponds with that module.  

Click on the exam and you will be prompted to pay for the first 10 attempts for $25. If you use the 10 attempts across all 6 of the exams and need more, you will again be prompted to pay another $25 for 10 more attempts.

You will then go through a few system checks, a Google Chrome browser extension, a room scan, and an ID scan before you begin. 

The exam can only be taken on a Google Chrome browser, and you will be required to add an extension to take the exam. The process should only take a few minutes, and you will be able to take that section of the exam as soon as the process is complete. 

Those who declared their candidacy before February 1, 2025 do not have to pass the Introduction to Business exam.

*You must be a declared and active CPP Candidate or a CPP up for recertification within 90 days of your expiration date to take the CPP Exams.* 

The certification exams are comprised of 8-25 multiple-choice questions each. The material is pulled from the CPP test specifications, and all exam questions are referenced in the available Photography Certification Guide or the Benchmark Business guide.

You will have to score 70% or higher to pass each of the exams. 

If you do not pass a module exam, you will only have to retake that specific exam. 

The exams are on demand which means you do not have to schedule with a proctor. When you click on the “Exam 1, 2, 3…etc” you will see the set-up section open on the page. Just follow the prompts to begin the exam. 

CPP Exams are not associated by specialty (Portrait, Sports, or Commercial), but you will need to have a good understanding of the fundamentals of photography to pass the exam. 

No need to register. Just click on an exam at the bottom of a Certified Professional Photographer Module when you feel comfortable enough to take the exam.

You will be prompted to pay $25 for the first 10 exam attempts the first time you decide to take an exam. 

You will receive your results in your myPPA account under “myAchievements” > “Certifications” 

For exams taken online, you will receive your results in your myPPA account approximately 1-3 business days after your exam date. All exams must be reviewed before scores are released.

• You will see your score as a percentage and see a "Pass" or "Fail".
• If you have passed the required exams, you will automatically become eligible to submit your images to The Technical Image Evaluation when it opens every month from February to November.

No, you do not have to complete the module(s) before taking the exam for each module. The progress bar is just there to help you track your personal progress. 

Candidates will have 10 attempts over the six exams and can add more attempts is needed.

You may take the exam as many times as you need during your two-year candidacy period. After that initial two-year period, you will need to start the process again, but there are no limits as to how many times you might be allowed to do this again. 

It is $25 for 10 attempts. If you use the 10 attempts, you will need to purchase another 10 attempts for $25.

CPP exam accommodations 

The CPP examination program provides reasonable and appropriate accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities within the meaning of the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended (ADA).  

Under ADA, a disability is a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits an individual's ability to perform one or more major life activities, as compared with most people in the general population. PPA will make reasonable efforts to accommodate eligible candidates, who provide documented evidence of their disability or need for special arrangements that do not present an undue burden to the proctor and do not fundamentally alter the measurement of the knowledge the assessment is intended to test.  

If you require special testing arrangements, you must inform PPA of your needs via email at least four weeks prior to the scheduled test date. Please email [email protected] for special accommodation requests.

We recommend allocating about 30 minutes to an hour from your schedule for each of the CPP Exams to allow time for set-up and test taking. 

• Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge browser
• Your government issued identification (driver’s license, ID, Passport). The name on your ID must match the name in your PPA account.
• A webcam
• A quiet location clear of any reference material
• Strong Internet connectivity. We recommend a hard-wired Internet connection if possible.
• Your PPA log in
• One blank piece of scratch paper
• Pocket-style or computer application calculator

You must use Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge.

The exam at IUSA is a proctored in-person exam and you will answer all of the questions that are separated by category all at the same time. The exam at IUSA is also no charge for those who are attending, but you must be a declared candidate to be eligible.

It is recommended for candidates to take the exam in an area that is quiet,  free from clutter, and free from distractions. Candidates will have to perform a 360-degree room scan to confirm they are not using any unpermitted items. A room with a door that can be closed is recommended.

All exam sessions are recorded and reviewed to ensure that the exam-taker followed the rules. The exam will remain "In Review" until the Credentialing Coordinator approves the exam. This usually takes 2-3 business days. 

This depends on various factors such as your current skill level, fundamental knowledge of photography, and your overall pace with the exams and Technical Image Evaluation. It is recommended that members utilize the CPP Curriculum as it is accessible to all PPA members and declare their candidacy when they are ready to take the exams so they can maximize their two-year candidacy period.

The CPP Curruclum and testing area is located here: Curriculums | Professional Photographers of America

The modules are located under the "Credentialing" section and can be accessed in any order. 

The exams are at the bottom of every module in the "Exam" section.

Candidates can take the exams in any order and at any time during their candidacy period. The exams are on demand so they can be taken whenever the candidate feels ready.

To access the exams, candidates will need to pay $25 for the first 10 total attempts. If all 10 attempts are used and more are needed to pass the exams, candidates may purchase an additional 10 attempts for another $25.

Candidates will be prompted to pay for exam access at the first exam attempt. 

Candidates who passed the exam before February 1, 2025 are not required to retake the exams in the new module format. 

You will still need to submit images to the Technical Image Evaluation to complete the certification process. 

Once you pass the CPP Exams, you become eligible to participate in the Technical Image Evaluation. Starting in 2025, there will be 10 evaluation periods per year and they begin in February. Eligible candidates will receive an email notification at 12 PM EST on the date that the Technical Image Evaluation period opens notifying them that the evaluation is open for submissions. The candidate will have one week to upload three images that fit within their chosen criteria.

Candidates can access the evaluation upload platform by logging into their MyPPA dashboard and navigating to the myAchievements tab. Then, select "Certifications" to expand the section where the candidate can view the option to “Upload Evaluation”. Upload all three images and make sure to click the "Complete" button to submit the images. 

You will not see thumbnails of your images.

Each candidate is required to submit THREE (3) images that depict key photographic techniques.

1. Image 1 – Straight on, Portrait orientation
2. Image 2 – Overhead, Landscape orientation
3. Image 3 – Overhead, Landscape orientation

Please visit the Technical Evaluation Resources page to prepare!

All images are reviewed by trained evaluators. All images are evaluated according to the checklist located inside the Technical Image Evaluation Handbook, with each image reviewed on the same objective scale.

Please note: Images are evaluated in the most recent version of Adobe Bridge Camera Raw only, Profile: Adobe Standard.

The review process takes one-two weeks after the last submission date. Technical Image Evaluations results will be sent via email approximately one-two weeks after the evaluation deadline. Please make sure you are subscribed to PPA emails in order to receive the results.

If your evaluation did not pass, it means that either one or more of your images did not meet the elements listed on the Technical Image Evaluation Checklist. You will be able to log in and review your Image Evaluation and you may resubmit your images during any future evaluation periods. You should always check the feedback associated so you know exactly what to improve in your images for the next evaluation!

Eligible candidates can submit images as many times as needed within their two-year candidacy period. Evaluation cycles occur 10 times per year. If the candidate does not pass the Technical Image Evaluation within the two year candidacy period, they can apply for a candidacy extension for a $100 fee. Payment of the fee will allow them one more year to submit images.

We recommend that the candidate take their images using the light source they are the most familiar. You need to show what you do on a daily basis, and show that you know how to skillfully use natural light, how to manipulate it, and how to get proper ratios. The Technical Image Evaluation offers candidates three lighting scenario options to choose from to complete the evaluation process.

• OPTION 1: Electronic Flash (speedlights, studio strobes, location strobes)
• OPTION 2: Continuous Light (modeling, tungsten lights)
• OPTION 3: Natural Light (window, natural, available light)

Candidates are required to identify and select only ONE lighting scenario to complete their evaluation.

You will receive your Certified Professional Photographer certificate in the mail approximately two-three weeks after the date that you have received your passing email notification.

Images taken in a workshop environment or under direct supervision of an instructor are not allowed for image evaluation. All images submitted must be self-directed and individually set up. 

You can order the Blick Art Materials Supply List here. For more detailed instructions and information on how to place your order, you can review the How to order your Blick Art Materials Supply guide.

In order to participate in the Technical Image Evaluation, candidates must pass all 5 (or 6 if you declared your candidacy after February 1, 2025) of the CPP Exams to be eligible to participate in the evaluation. However, you can purchase your Blick Art Materials Supply List at any given time before or during your two-year CPP Candidacy. Review evaluation periods and deadlines in advance and place orders accordingly and please allow 5-10 days for shipping.

To keep evaluations uniformed and impartial, candidates are required to use items listed on the Blick Art Materials Supply List.

Please contact [email protected] and we’ll be happy to assist you.

When purchasing your Technical Image Evaluation kit, at times a(n) item(s) may be Out of Stock please check the alternative materials list on the Ordering Guide to view alternate item(s). Please note that alternative items at times will be added to the kit list so items you receive can vary. Please email [email protected] if an item on the list is out of stock.

As some items may be out of stock at time of purchase, alternative variations are used in place of out-of-stock items. Please be aware use of alternative items will differ from sample images that are currently posted online (you might find this specifically with different gray paper variations). If you have concerns please reach out to [email protected] for additional information!

Images and placement of items should closely resemble the sample images that have been provided in the Technical Image Evlauation Handbook. 

If any of your images fail, you must re-submit new images that fit the criteria in the next Technical Image Evaluation you decide to participate in.

Any previously ACCEPTED images from a previous evaluation will be carried over and you will not be required to re-upload. If previously ACCEPTED images do not appear in your evaluation please contact [email protected] prior to evaluation deadline.

Images must be shot and submitted in the smallest RAW format available on your camera. Images cannot be edited in any way and must be submitted during the image submission period.

You can find videos that go into more detail on The Technical Image Evaluation in the CPP Curriculum after Module 6 or click the link below.

https://www.ppa.com/edu/track/the-technical-image-evaluation