CITP®| FIBP® - You may be closer than you think...

Work experience requirements for candidates applying through Pathway 1, 2, 3 and 5

Years of Experience

• Pathway 1 - FITT Diploma Holders, Pathway 2 - International Business Educational Credential Holders and Pathway 3 - Specialized Credential Holders: To attain the CITP®| FIBP® designation via Pathway 1, 2 or 3, one of the requirements is to have a minimum of 3 years of full-time work experience in a role that is primarily focused on international trade and is related to one or more of the 15 CITP competency categories. 

• Pathway 5 – CITP Exam: To attain the CITP®| FIBP® designation via Pathway 5, one of the requirements is to have a minimum of 5 years of full-time work experience in a role that is primarily focused on international trade and is related to one or more of the 15 CITP competency categories. 

What qualifies as international trade work experience?

• A position where your international trade experience is related to one or more of the 15 CITP competency categories.
• A position where the majority of your responsibilities include activities that deal with or support the company’s importing and/or exporting activities.
• A position where your responsibilities may provide support to importers and exporters, such as an association or crown corporation.
• Your position does not necessarily need to have ’importing’ or ’exporting’ in the title.
• A position with a company that does importing or exporting activities, but where you do not have any responsibilities in that area does not qualify as work experience.

Examples

These examples are intended to provide CITP* applicants with a general guideline of the type of positions and responsibilities that could fulfill the international trade work requirement. Applicants are by no means limited to these roles and are encouraged to review their work experience with these guidelines in mind.

Customer Service Representative
In your role as Customer Service Representative at a major bank, you assist your clients in the completion of their international business financial transactions such as letters of credit.

Shipping Administrator
Whether you work for a customs broker or a transportation company, your responsibilities could include involvement in the coordination of the shipment of goods across borders and preparation of all customs documentation on behalf of exporters, such as bills of lading.

Marketing Manager
Marketing, as with many other aspects of international trade, encompasses a large number of areas. In your role, you may be involved in preparing market entry strategies, developing marketing initiatives, attending trade shows, or assisting in the implementation of an international marketing plan.

Work experience requirements for candidates applying through Pathway 4 - Experienced Executives

To attain the CITP®| FIBP® designation via Pathway 4, one of the requirements is to have a minimum of 10 years of full-time work experience related to all 15 CITP competency categories in executive level roles. And, depending on your experience, you may be closer than you think to attaining your CITP®| FIBP® designation.

Executive level roles which are described as follows:

• Leadership roles, and/or
• Management roles in the practical or policy areas of international trade, and/or
• Oversight roles associated with an organization’s international trade activities

If you have questions regarding your work experience, please contact certification@fitt.ca.

Please note: The above are guidelines only. Your complete CITP®| FIBP® application will be reviewed to confirm eligibility.  

* Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) is trademarked for use within Canada. FITT International Business Professional (FIBP) is trademarked for use internationally. Both reflect the same FITT certified designation.