Certification Council Announces 2020 Recertification Deadline Extended to Jan. 31, 2021 and Issues New Mentorship Guidance

Dear Colleagues,

We hope this finds you each well and safe during these unique circumstances. Back in April 2020, the Certification Council shared a number of temporary changes to the certification process given the various challenges associated with COVID-19 that continue to impact many facets of our professional lives. The Certification Council recognizes that the current circumstances involving COVID-19 have continued to impact both future Certified Mental Performance Consultant® (CMPC) candidates and those planning on recertifying in 2020. Over the past few weeks, the Certification Council has continued to review our current policies and accommodations made in light of the pandemic. As such, we wanted to share additional updates to the CMPC program in an attempt to continue to support future CMPCs as well as those up for recertification this year.  

For candidates working on their initial certification and completing electronic mentored applied hours:

1. The Certification Council has extended the temporary acceptance of direct client contact hours that include sessions either in-person or from a distance via synchronous video and audio technology (e.g. Skype, FaceTime, Zoom) that approximate face-to-face contact. For individuals currently working toward their initial certification, the Council has extended this acceptance period from Nov. 1, 2020 to March 1, 2021.
2. The Council's Mentoring Committee has also developed new CMPC Mentor Guidelines and Best Practice Recommendations.

For those recertifying in 2020 or preparing to test:

1. The Certification Council has adjusted the CMPC recertification period to now go from Sept. 1, 2020 - Jan. 31, 2021. This means the original application window of Sept. 1 - Nov. 30, 2020, with a late period being Dec. 1 - 31, will no longer be in effect for 2020 recertification candidates. Please note that should a candidate who is scheduled to recertify in 2020 submit their application materials after Jan. 31, 2021, they would have to apply for reinstatement as outlined in the CMPC Candidate Handbook. 
2. Traditionally, candidates cannot submit a recertification application until they have taken and passed their exam. However, the Council has now agreed to accept recertification applications during this extended period prior to passing the exam. 
3. AASP and the Certification Council recently established a new partner, Scantron, to support our exam development and exam administration process. It is anticipated that the Scantron exam will be available to take Jan. 1, 2021 (possibly sooner) for new and recertification candidates. For those recertifying in 2020, this would give candidates a month to test online through Scantron if you are waiting for the ability to do so. Candidates will still be able to test before the end of 2020 at a Pearson VUE testing center but are only able to do so in person. Scantron also offers onsite testing.
4. The Council also recognizes that should a 2020 recertification candidate choose to wait to test online and fail the exam, there may not be enough time to retest within the 90-day period designated for retests and still meet the new Jan. 31, 2021 extension deadline. Thus, the Council has agreed to waive the $50 reinstatement fee for a candidate who only needs to RETEST, but had in good faith initiated the recertification process which would now mean submitting your application fee, application materials (e.g. recertification application and CEUs), and attempting the exam before the Jan. 31, 2021 deadline. These individuals would still, however, move to Expired status on Feb. 1, 2021. If candidates do not take any action at all (i.e. submit application materials, attempt the exam) and do not contact AASP prior to Jan. 31, 2021, they will need to reinstate officially and pay the $50 fee.