CSCIP is the smart card industry’s only standardized certification program that recognizes professionals who possess advanced levels of smart card industry knowledge and experience. Those LEAP members who wish to achieve certification as experts in smart card technology may do so at any time.
CSCIP – How Do I Become Certified?
To apply for certification, you must be a LEAP member with a minimum of two years of professional experience in the smart card industry. LEAP members need to meet specific educational and professional criteria prior to acceptance into the CSCIP certification program. Certification requires that professionals study a comprehensive written body of industry knowledge and pass a multi-part exam developed by leading smart card experts with the support of international industry associations.
CSCIP–Types of Credentials
The Secure Technology Alliance offers three separate CSCIP credentials, which are granted once you take and pass the certification exam:
- CSCIP
- CSCIP/Government
- CSCIP/Payments
Regardless of the credential you are seeking, all CSCIP certifications require demonstrated proficiency in a broad body of industry knowledge.
CSCIP–testing includes knowledge of the following principles:
- Smart card technology fundamentals
- Security
- Application/data management
- Identity and access control usage models
- Payments usage models
- Mobile/Near Field Communication (NFC) usage models
Nine CSCIP training modules covering the body of knowledge are used to prepare for the CSCIP certification exam.
CSCIP/Government–testing includes knowledge of the following principles:
- Smart card technology fundamentals
- Security
- Application/data management
- Identity and access control usage models
- Mobile/Near Field Communication (NFC) usage models
- PLUS FIPS 201, PIV card and Federal identity management initiatives
Nine CSCIP training modules covering the body of knowledge are used to prepare for the CSCIP/G certification exam.
CSCIP/Payments – testing includes knowledge of the following principles:
- Smart card technology fundamentals
- Security
- Application/data management
- Mobile/Near Field Communication (NFC) usage models
- Payments usage models
- PLUS in-depth content on EMV and EMV migration, mobile and NFC payments, and smart card use in card- and account-based transit payment systems
Eight CSCIP training modules covering the body of knowledge are used to prepare for the CSCIP/P certification exam.
View a detailed list of the smart card industry topics included in the CSCIP certification documentation and training: CSCIP, CSCIP/Government and CSCIP/Payments.
CSCIP Preparation and Exam
Once your CSCIP certification application has been approved, you can begin to prepare for the CSCIP certification exam by purchasing the CSCIP Smart Card Technology and Applications training materials for your specific CSCIP designation. These training materials are available in an online version (only) or online version plus a hardcopy binder.
A series of regularly updated educational modules forming the CSCIP certification body of knowledge has been developed by leading smart card industry professionals and is updated regularly. These educational modules prepare applicants for the multi-part CSCIP exam administered by the Secure Technology Alliance. The exam tests CSCIP candidates on the key smart card application and technology principles found in these modules.
- The CSCIP certification tests your proficiency in a broad body of industry knowledge, including: smart card technology fundamentals, security, application/data management, identity and access control usage models, payments usage models and mobile/Near Field Communication (NFC) usage models. Nine CSCIP training modules covering the body of knowledge are used to prepare for the CSCIP certification exam.
- The CSCIP/Government certification includes the same fundamentals as the CSCIP certification, but its body of industry knowledge includes in-depth content about the U.S. government’s implementation of the Federal identity management infrastructure and smart card-based employee and contractor identity credentials that resulted from Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12). The CSCIP/G certification does not cover payments usage models. The CSCIP/G certification requires demonstrated proficiency in smart card technology fundamentals, security, application/data management, mobile/NFC usage models, and identity and access control usage models, and adds FIPS 201, PIV card and Federal identity management initiatives. Nine CSCIP training modules covering the body of knowledge are used to prepare for the CSCIP/G certification exam.
- The CSCIP/Payments certification includes the same fundamentals as the CSCIP certification, but its body of industry knowledge includes in-depth content about smart card use in payments and mobile payments transactions. The CSCIP/P certification does not cover identity and access control usage models. The CSCIP/P certification requires demonstrated proficiency in smart card technology fundamentals, security, application/data management, and mobile and NFC, and adds in-depth content on EMV and EMV migration, mobile/NFC payments, and smart card use in transit payments. Eight CSCIP training modules covering the body of knowledge are used to prepare for the CSCIP/P certification exam.
CSCIP Training Course
An optional, professionally-instructed one-day CSCIP training course is available. The course is based on the written body of knowledge and aids in the preparation for taking the three-part CSCIP exam. These full-day courses are taught by a certified CSCIP instructor who will review the key concepts and principles that will be included in the CSCIP exam. The training course is not required to take the CSCIP exam, but those who have taken it have found it extremely helpful understanding the most important concepts in the written body of knowledge and narrowing the scope of what needs to be studied for the CSCIP exam.
Corporate LEAP/CSCIP Program
The LEAP/CSCIP professional development and smart card training program and exam are available for organizations with a large number of professionals who would benefit from organized, comprehensive training course and exam delivered at their corporate location at a reduced group rate cost. Corporations who enroll 10 or more individuals qualify for the group rate and two or more companies can combine their individual training into one class to reach the minimum participants. Contact Christina Hulka for complete information.
CSCIP Registry–A Listing of Certified Smart Card Industry Professionals
See who has their CSCIP credentials.
CSCIP Exam Dates
Candidates can register for the next CSCIP exam date with their application or postpone their registration for the exam until a later date. The Secure Technology Alliance offers the optional one-day CSCIP Training and Exam Preparation Course prior to most exam dates. Below are upcoming dates and locations for future CSCIP exam preparation courses and CSCIP exams. Unless otherwise noted, the training will be held at The Training Center at Identification Technology Partners, Inc., 12 S Summit Ave #110, Gaithersburg, MD 20877.
CSCIP Training & Exam Prep Course¹ Schedule |
|||
| Location | Training and Exam Dates | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity Technology Partners, Inc. 20251 Century Boulevard, Suite 330, Germantown, MD 20874 |
TBD | ||
CSCIP/P Training & Exam Prep Course¹ Schedule |
|||
| Location | Training and Exam Dates | ||
| Identity Technology Partners, Inc. 20251 Century Boulevard, Suite 330, Germantown, MD 20874 |
TBD | ||
CSCIP/G Training & Exam Prep Course¹ Schedule |
|||
| Location | Training and Exam Dates | ||
| Identity Technology Partners, Inc. 20251 Century Boulevard, Suite 330, Germantown, MD 20874 |
Sept 09-10 | ||
Note: A minimum of 8 participants for the training to push through.
¹ This full day course is held from 8:30am–4:30pm; the cost for attending is $475 ($380 for members).
CSCIP Exam Grading
Applicants must receive a passing (70% correct) grade on all parts of the exam to receive a CSCIP, CSCIP/G or CSCIP/P certification. You will be notified of your grade approximately two weeks after completing the exam.
CSCIP Exam Registration
CSCIP Re-Certification
LEAP membership in good standing is required to sustain the CSCIP certification and retesting or documentation of a required level of continuing education activities must be submitted every three years for CSCIP re-certification
CSCIP–Summary of Costs
To become CSCIP certified, you will need to purchase a LEAP membership and be a member in good standing. Other fees associated with the CSCIP program include:
- CSCIP application fee – $60.00
- CSCIP Training Modules
- Online PDF version only – $110.00
- Online PDF version plus hardcopy binder $210.00
- CSCIP Training Course (optional) $525.00 (non-STA members), $420.00 (STA Members)
- CSCIP Exam – $165.00
- CSCIP Retest (if you fail one or more parts of the exam) $85.00
NOTE: Individuals who have completed their CSCIP certification, and wish to be certified in another CSCIP specialty (CSCIP/G or CSCIP/P) will receive a 50% discount on the CSCIP training materials, training course, and exam.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about LEAP or the CSCIP program, contact the Secure Technology Alliance at 1-800-556-6828 or email the LEAP administrator at [email protected].