Certifications

OPSEC PROFESSIONALS SOCIETY (OPS) CERTIFICATIONS

 

One of the key benefits of the OPSEC Professionals Society is the opportunity to earn the professional standing as either an OPSEC Certified Professional (OCP) or an OPSEC Associate Professional (OAP). The authority to use the OCP or the OAP proficiency designator after your name provides colleagues and employers with information about your level of proficiency in our profession.

 

Do you want to become an OCP?

1. Do you have at least five years of OPSEC experience (at least two years direct)?
2. Do you have four years of college credits or additional OPSEC experience to substitute for credits?
3. Do you have at least 48 hours of formal OPSEC training?
4. Have you submitted a ten-page paper that conforms to the PSC guidelines?
   • Submit an application to the PSC documenting 1, 2, and 3 above, & 4 (attach your paper)
   • Pay the application fee of $100.00
   • Be approved by the PSC as an OCP
   • Have the right to put OCP behind your name for three years
   • Recertify every three years (pay $30.00 recertification fee each time)

For further details see: Section I – OCP Certification

NOTE:  In regard to OCP approval/disapproval, the decision of the Professional Standards Committee (PSC) is final. In cases of a rejected application and/or paper, the applicant may, with PSC approval, resubmit a second application/paper without an additional fee. Third and subsequent attempts will require 1) a new application, 2) a new paper (with a new topic), and 3) a new fee.

 

Is your OCP certification expired?

1. Is it less than twelve (12) months?
   • Recertify with additional credits (1 for each six month or prorated portion thereof)
   • Pay an additional $50.00 over and above the $30.00 re-certification fee (total of $80.00)
2. Is it less than twelve (12) months?
   • Is it expired twelve (12) months or more?
   • Submit a new application and new paper as in C above
   • For further details see:
     • Section II – OCP Recertification
     • Section III – OCP Recertification Credit Schedule
     • Section IV – OCP Recertification Process Lapse Policy

Do you want to become a Lifetime OCP?

1. Are you a Lifetime OPS member
2. Have you been an OCP for six years (original certification plus two consecutive re-certifications)?

Do you want to become an OAP?

1. Are you a regular member of OPS in good standing?
2. Do you have at least three years of OPSEC experience (at least one year of direct)?
3. Do you have at least 20 hours of OPSEC training?
   • Submit a letter to the Professional Standards Committee (PSC) affirming 1, 2, and 3 above
   • Pledge to work on your OCP certification and complete it in three years (OPTIONAL)
   • Pay the application fee of $50.00
   • Be approved by the PSC as an OAP
   • Have the right to put OAP behind your name for three years (renewable each three years)
   • Re-affirmation as an OAP requires another letter and $100.00 for three more years

For further details see: Section V – OAP Certification

 

Do you want to participate in the OPSEC Certified Professional (OCP) Mentor Program?

1. If so (and you are a current OCP or Lifetime OCP) and desire to be a Mentor, contact the PSC
2. If you are an OAP and desire to be mentored toward your OCP certification, contact the PSC

For further details see: Section VI – OPS Mentor Program

 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Before applying for any program or award please review The Code of Ethics
Applicants for OPSEC Certified Professional (OCP) and OPSEC Associate Professional (OAP) are advised that such certification does not warrant that the OPSEC Professionals Society (OPS) guarantees their performance in any way in the execution of any activities or duties assigned or assumed. The OPS evaluates qualifications for the OCP and the OAP designation based on submissions made by the applicant and awardees of such designation, their clients, employers or other parties must not construe such designation as providing any guarantee by OPS whatsoever. On the basis of award of OCP/OAP the OPS shall not be liable or held to be liable to any party for any incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages of any kind or nature including without limitation the breach of any agreement or any termination of an agreement, even when such liability is asserted on the basis of contract, tort or otherwise and even if parties have been warned or warned about the possibility of any such loss or damage.