IAOP’s Certified Outsourcing ProfessionalTM (COP) Program

The Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP) designation distinguishes individuals as leaders in the field of outsourcing. It powerfully demonstrates that they possess the experience and knowledge required to design, implement, and manage outsourcing initiatives that have a high probability of achieving an organization’s intended outcomes.

This professional designation, which focuses on the management process of outsourcing itself, is equally valuable to individuals working as customers, providers, or advisors. It promotes an environment where all of the parties to an outsourcing business relationship have a common and shared professional knowledge, approach, and commitment to mutual success.

To become a Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP) applicants must demonstrate their professional capabilities through a combination of:
Ø Comprehensive Work Experience in the field of outsourcing as demonstrated by their actual accomplishments on one or more projects for one or more organizations
Ø Knowledge and Education through successful completion of the COP Master Class, and/or by holding a relevant post-graduate degree and by passing the COP Examination.

Applications are completed online and are reviewed and scored by the Certification Committee. All applicants are encouraged to attend a Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP) Preparation Class to accelerate their process toward certification.

Benefits of Certification

Organizations that work with Certified Outsourcing Professionals (COP) can expect better, more consistent results specifically because these professionals have demonstrated – against an independently developed set of industry-wide standards – their experience and knowledge.

Certified Outsourcing Professionals (COP) can command greater professional recognition and compensation. Studies in other fields have found a 20%+ salary differential for certified professionals and 79 percent of executives recruiters believe that certified professionals are better-qualified candidates.