FAQS
CLP Certification
Who should pursue the Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) certification?
The CLP credential is a professional designation intended to distinguish those who have demonstrated experience, proficiency, knowledge, and understanding of licensing and commercialization of intellectual property through involvement in patenting, marketing, negotiation, legal, and intellectual asset management.
I do not have a bachelor’s degree. Can I pursue CLP certification?
Yes, through eligibility pathway 2 which requires a high school diploma or equivalent and at least six (6) years of professional-level licensing experience.
What are the eligibility requirements for the CLP examination?
- There are two eligibility pathways. View them here.
What is professional-level eligible licensing experience?
CLP, Inc. defines licensing as the identification, evaluation, development, use, transfer, marketing, and/or management of intellectual property for commercial purposes. Licensing professionals work in a variety of settings, including health care; high tech; chemicals, energy, and materials; financial markets; consumer products; and university, research organizations, and government; and as service providers to the above.
What should I do if I do not meet the eligibility requirements?
Those interested in obtaining the CLP credential who do not meet the current eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for the CLP-Associate (CLP-A) credential while they work towards meeting the eligibility requirements for the CLP credential.
What are the fees associated with pursuing CLP certification?
The cost to apply for initial CLP certification is $995 (USD). This includes the application, processing and review fee, and two testing attempts, if needed, within the candidate’s 13-month eligibility period.Fees are subject to change.
How do I apply for the CLP examination?
Visit the CLP Certification webpage and use the “CLP Certification Application” button to create your CLP account and begin the application.
What should I do if I require special testing accommodations or arrangements?
CLP, Inc. and its testing vendor, Meazure Learning, comply with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, as amended (42 U.S.C. §2000e et seq.) in providing reasonable accommodations to individuals who require them to take the examination.Accommodations request(s) and supporting documentation are submitted with the initial application. If documentation provided does not support the requested accommodation(s), the Member Services team will contact the applicant for further information. The application and the accommodation(s) request(s) must be submitted to CLP, Inc. at least 45 days prior to the applicant’s desired testing appointment date.All reasonable accommodations with proper supporting documentation will be approved except where it may fundamentally alter the examination, influence the examination results, or result in an undue burden.
I submitted my CLP application, and it is still showing as pending review. Why?
The number one reason an application stays in a state of pending review is that it is incomplete. An application will not enter the application review queue unless all steps are complete. Please check that all steps of the application, including payment, have been completed.Another possible reason an application is pending review is because the review team is awaiting further information from an applicant. Complete applications are usually reviewed within 1-2 business days from receipt. If the review team requires further information from the applicant during the review process, they may send an email to the applicant. Until a response is received, they cannot continue their review process.If your application is in a pending review status and you have not received any communications from our review team, please check your spam or junk folder for communications from clpinfo@licensingcertification.org. If you do not locate any communications, please email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org.
My application was approved. What is the next step?
The CLP examination is offered during specific testing windows throughout the year. The scheduling window for each testing window will open approximately 6 weeks prior to the opening of the testing window. Exact testing and scheduling windows are published on the CLP website and in the candidate handbook.If your application is approved during a scheduling or testing window, you will receive a Notice to Schedule email from the testing vendor, Meazure Learning, within 2-3 business days after your application has been approved.If your application is approved outside a scheduling or testing window, you will receive an email from CLP’s Member Services team informing you that your application was approved and when the next opportunity to test will be. Once the scheduling window opens, you will receive a Notice to Schedule email from the testing vendor, Meazure Learning.
What is a scheduling window, and what are the scheduling windows for the CLP examination?
A specific, predetermined timeframe during which a candidate may schedule an examination appointment.Exact scheduling windows are published on the Examination Information page and in the CLP Candidate Handbook. Scheduling windows are subject to change.
What is a testing window, and what are the testing windows for the CLP examination?
A designated timeframe during which candidates are permitted to take an examination.Exact testing windows are published on the Examination Information page of the CLP website and in the CLP Candidate Handbook. Testing windows are subject to change.
Where will I take the CLP examination?
- CLP, Inc. offers two (2) types of testing administrations to candidates.
- In-Person administration: At a Meazure Learning testing center. For a complete list of US and international testing center locations, please visit the Meazure Learning website. Appointments at a testing center outside the US and Canada will incur an $82 (USD) fee, collected by Meazure Learning at the time of scheduling.
- Live Remote Proctored (LRP) administration: The candidate uses their own computer at a time and place of their choosing and will be supervised remotely by a proctor via webcam and audio. Testing environment restrictions as well as hardware and software requirements apply. See the CLP handbook for information.
What resources should I use to prepare for the CLP examination?
- Candidates are encouraged to review the detailed exam content outline to familiarize themselves with the content covered by the exam. Candidates may choose to focus their preparation efforts on areas in which they have less professional experience.
- The Preparation Resources webpage includes information to help candidates design their preparation plan. CLP provides several resources candidates may choose to assist their preparation efforts:
- A comprehensive CLP Exam Study Guide organized by exam domain that offers suggested courses and activities to help candidates build their personalized exam preparation plan
- A Reference List organized by exam domain that lists resources that may be used to develop exam items
- Two Practice Test options to become familiar with the format of the exam and to help identify content domains in which you wish to focus your preparation efforts
- Licensing Executives Society USA & Canada offers a CLP exam review course several times each year. The course is a review of the content areas covered by the CLP exam. A link to the review course website is included on the Preparation Resources webpage.
How many times can I attempt for the CLP examination?
Approved applicants receive two (2) testing opportunities within a 13-month period that ends on the last day of the 13th month after application approval. If a candidate does not take the examination or does not successfully pass the examination within the two (2) attempts or the 13-month period, whichever comes first, then the application is closed. Should a candidate be unsuccessful on the examination on both attempts during the eligibility window, a candidate may request a third testing attempt by contacting CLP, Inc. and submitting the additional testing fee of $300 (USD). The third attempt must be utilized within one (1) calendar year following the candidate’s last examination attempt.
Beyond the calendar year or third attempt, the candidate will be required to submit the full certification application and fees before gaining additional testing opportunities. If the candidate wishes to retest, they must reapply by completing a new application and paying the application fee.
CLP Recertification
How often do I need to recertify?
The CLP credential is valid for three (3) years. Certificants must recertify on or before their credential’s expiration date to keep the credential active and maintain use.
How do I apply for CLP recertification?
Visit the CLP Recertification Requirements webpage and use the “CLP Recertification Application” button to access your CLP account and begin the application. The same login credentials used to create your account must be used. You may use the reset password functionality if needed. Contact clpinfo@licensingcertification.org if you cannot access your login credentials.
How many Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits do I need to recertify?
Certificants must earn and document at least 40 Continuing Professional Development credits to qualify for recertification.
Can I recertify early?
Yes, early recertification is permitted as long as the certificant has earned at least 40 CPD credits for recertification. CPD credits may not be future dated.
If I recertify early, will that change my expiration date?
No. Upon completing the recertification process, the credential expiration date is extended for an additional three (3) year period from the previous expiration date.
How are Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credits for the Practical Experience category calculated?
One (1) CPD credit is awarded for each month a certificant is fully employed (or completes an eligible practical experience such as Board service) during their three (3) year credential cycle (3 years = 36 months/credits).
I have been fully employed during my credential cycle, but I want to recertify early. How many Continuing Professional Development credits can I claim in the category of Practical Experience?
Certificants may claim 1 (one) credit for each month they have been employed during their three (3) year credential cycle. Certificants applying early for recertification may only claim credits for the number of months they have worked at the time of recertification application submission; credits may not be future dated. To complete the recertification process early, certificants should submit additional credits from other eligible activity categories.
What is the recertification fee?
The CLP recertification fee is submitted as part of the recertification application process. The recertification fee is $495 (USD). Fees are subject to change.
Can I submit a recertification application if my credential has already expired?
It depends. CLP provides certificants with a one (1) year grace period to reinstate their CLP credential once it has expired. If your CLP credential has been expired for one (1) year or less, you may reinstate it. A late fee of $100 (USD) will be accessed for applications reinstating an expired credential. Fees are subject to change.
My credential expired over one (1) year ago. Can I reinstate my credential?
No. If the CLP certification expired more than one (1) year ago, it may not be reinstated. To regain CLP certification status, you must meet all current eligibility requirements, reapply for the CLP examination, and successfully pass the examination.
I am no longer working full-time, and I cannot fulfill the CLP recertification requirements. How should I proceed?
Professionals who have held the CLP credential but are no longer able to maintain the CLP credential due to their employment status may apply for the CLP-Emeritus credential. Professionals must have held the CLP credential in good standing within the last 3 years and be retired from full-time employment. The CLP-Emeritus designation is awarded for the recipient’s lifetime.
Visit the CLP-Emeritus webpage and use the “CLP-Emeritus Application” button to access your CLP account and begin the application.
If a CLP-Emeritus designee wishes to hold the CLP credential again, they are required to meet all current eligibility requirements for the CLP credential, reapply for the CLP credential, and successfully pass the CLP examination.
CLP-Associate (CLP-A)
Who should pursue the CLP-A credential?
The CLP-Associate (CLP-A) credential is designed for individuals who are either new to or are re-entering the licensing and technology transfer field. The CLP-A credential is tailored to individuals who are interested in demonstrating a commitment to the licensing profession but do not have substantial experience in the fields of licensing, technology transfer or intellectual property management, and are not yet eligible to pursue the CLP credential.
What are the eligibility requirements for the CLP-A credential?
Professionals complete self-selected education/training relevant to one or more of the CLP exam content domains and submit a professional narrative that is written based off of a completed work project (Option A) or written to the hypothetical scenario provided in the CLP-A Candidate Handbook (Option B).
Is there an examination for the CLP-A credential?
No. Applicants who meet all current eligibility requirements, including the professional narrative that satisfies the prompt requirements, and pay the application fee will be awarded the CLP-A credential.
What are the fees associated with pursuing the CLP-A credential?
The cost for the CLP-A credential is $225 (USD). Fees are subject to change.If individuals apply for CLP certification within one (1) year of their CLP-A expiration, then the CLP-A application fee will be applied to their CLP application fee, resulting in a discounted CLP application fee. The discount will be automatically applied if the credential holder accesses their existing account.
How do I apply for the CLP-A credential?
Visit the CLP-Associate webpage and use the “CLP-Associate Application” button to create your CLP account and begin the application.
I submitted my CLP-A application, and it is still showing as pending review. Why?
The number one reason an application stays in a state of pending review is that it is incomplete. An application will not enter the application review queue unless all steps are complete. Please check that all steps of the application, including payment, have been completed.Another possible reason an application is pending review is because the review team is awaiting further information from an applicant. Complete applications are usually reviewed within 1-2 business days from receipt. If the review team requires further information from the applicant during the review process, they may send an email to the applicant. Until a response is received, they cannot continue their review process.If your application is in a pending review status and you have not received any communications from our review team, please check your spam or junk folder for communications from clpinfo@licensingcertification.org. If you do not locate any communications, please email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org.
Can I renew the CLP-A credential?
Yes. If an individual’s CLP-A credential expires, and the individual cannot satisfy the CLP eligibility requirements yet, the professional may re-apply for the CLP-A credential for a second cycle. An individual may complete a lifetime maximum of two (2) CLP-A cycles or six (6) years total.
General
I created an account but received an error message when I tried to login. What should I do?
Accounts that are inactive for six (6) months will be deactivated. If you do not hold a CLP credential and have not accessed your CLP account for six or more months, please contact clpinfo@licensingcertification.org for assistance.
I no longer have access to the email address that I created my CLP account with. How do I access my CLP account?
If you need to update the email address on your account, please email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org and provide the email address the account was created with and the updated email address you want to use. Further verification may be required to confirm the update.
How long does it take for an application to be reviewed and approved?
Typically, applications will be reviewed within 1-2 business days from the date of submission. If additional information is required from the applicant, approval of the application may take longer.
How do I find the receipt for my application payment?
Login to your CLP account, click on the “Digital Wallet” tab in the home ribbon at the top of the screen and select the “Receipts” tab.
How do I access my digital badge?
Once your digital badge has been issued, you will receive an email from CLP, Inc.'s badge vendor, BadgeCert, with instructions on how to access and use your new or updated digital badge. If you do not locate the email in your inbox or junk folder, email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org for assistance.
Does CLP offer physical certificates?
No. CLP, Inc. provides credential holders with a secure, portable digital badge that serves as official verification of the credential held. Upon accessing the digital badge platform, credential holders can also download a certificate and may print it if they choose.
Can I add myself to the CLP Credential Registry?
Yes. The CLP Credential Registry is an optional tool that serves as public-facing primary source verification for CLP credential holders. CLP Credential Registry listing preferences are submitted as part of each application submitted to CLP, Inc. If you would like to otherwise update your preferences or registry listing, email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org with your request.
I still have questions. Who should I contact?
Our Member Services team is here to help! Email clpinfo@licensingcertification.org or call (888) 391-7719 with other questions. Professionals are encouraged to consult the CLP candidate handbook and CLP-Associate handbook for full program information.