Application/Fees

How It Works

Now is the best time to obtain your CPTC credential!

Here is the process for becoming certified:

1. Download the application form, Code of Conduct, and candidate instructions.
2. Send the completed application form, signed Code of Conduct, and required fee (see below) to the STC Certification Commission office for processing and verification. You may email the forms to cert@stc.org. You can pay the application fee through PayPal (see button at right) or by mailing a check (to address provided below). When your application is processed, you will receive a confirmation letter and a candidate ID number. 
3. Following the candidate instructions, prepare and submit a complete evaluation packet to cert@stc.org. The packet consists of samples, work artifacts, and commentaries.
4. Send the required fee (see below for pricing) to the STC Certification Commission office for evaluation. You can pay the fee through PayPal on the Next Steps page or by mailing a check (to address provided below).
5. Each submission within your packet is evaluated against objective, established criteria by at least two trained evaluators, working under non-disclosure agreement. (If they do not agree on the assessment, a senior evaluator also participates.) Only your candidate ID number is known to the evaluators.
6. You are notified of the results of the evaluation within 30 days of receipt of your completed packet. If your packet meets or exceeds the minimum level of competency, you are awarded certification. If not, you receive feedback on areas in which the standard is not met, so that you can improve your grasp and presentation of those areas and resubmit at a later date.
7. Once awarded, your certification is valid for three years. To maintain it, continue your professional development by attending classes and participating in professional activities. There is a modest yearly maintenance fee, but no fee for recertification.

Fee Schedule

All fees are nonrefundable.

If you prefer to mail in payment and materials, they can be sent to:

9401 Lee Highway, Suite 300
Fairfax, VA 22031

After reviewing the application form and instructions, if you have any questions about the certification process, contact the STC Certification Commission staff at cert@stc.org.

Prerequisites 

Certification is available to all practitioners who meet the eligibility requirements. STC membership is not required for eligibility.

To be eligible for certification, you must have a combination of either directly related or relevant education and full-time equivalent (FTE) experience in the field. The more you have of one, the less you need of the other:

• Degree in a directly related field (listed below) plus at least three years of FTE experience as a technical communicator, OR
• Degree in a relevant field (listed below) plus at least four years of FTE experience as a technical communicator, OR
• High school diploma (or the global equivalent) plus at least five years of FTE experience as a technical communicator

Note: Applicants must attest to their degree and experience. Statements made on your application are subject to verification.

Degree level:

•  United States—Bachelor’s or above
•  Canada—Associate’s in technical communication, otherwise Bachelor’s or above

Directly related fields (eligible with three years' experience):

•  Technical Communication
•  Information Design
•  Science Journalism
•  Professional Communication
•  Instructional (educational) Technology
•  Instructional Systems
•  Human-Computer Interaction (usability)

Relevant fields (eligible with four years' experience):

•  English
•  Adult Education
•  Journalism (other than Science Journalism)
•  Public Relations
•   Organizational Communications
•  Computer Science (with a human-computer interaction or usability emphasis)

If you hold a degree not listed above that you think should be considered a directly related or relevant field, contact the STC Certification Commission staff at cert@stc.org.