Seven steps on proven path to CTP success.

In 2018, NPTC’s Certified Transportation Professional® (CTP) program, now sponsored by J.J. Keller & Associates, will celebrate its 25th anniversary in offering the only professional certification credential designed exclusively for private fleet practitioners, fleet managers, and supplier/vendors alike.

With the Class of 2018 graduation at NPTC’s annual conference this spring, an estimated six dozen or so new CTPs will be awarded their certification credentials and join the ranks of nearly 1,700 individuals since 1993 who have successfully completed the CTP program. With the new CTP class, the total number of certified individuals registered with NPTC will be almost 700—a growth of about 76% since 2012.

These active CTPs are serving in various management roles across a broad spectrum of industries and markets that make up the private fleet community. They are employed by fleet and allied/supplier member companies, which are the most actively engaged in NPTC programs and services.

There are seven steps to follow a proven path to CTP success.

Step one: The first step begins with a thorough reading of the CTP candidate prospectus and submission of the CTP eligibility application. These materials outline the rules of administration, which all candidates must follow, plus a summary of basic CTP qualification and recertification standards.

Step two: The next step is registration for the Private Fleet Management Institute five-day training sessions (held in January of each year), as well as a separate registration for the CTP Examination Prep Workshop (a day-long event held just before the Institute begins). Although technically not prerequisites for certification, the workshop and Institute are so highly regarded by reputation and experience that virtually all candidates elect to participate.

Step three: Read the entire CTP Resource Manual and Study Guide cover to cover before and after attending the workshop and Institute. Just go to NPTC’s website to download the document, which is available at no charge to all official CTP candidates. The manual and guide consist of five separate “books” of core subject matter topics that are taught at the Institute and tested on the CTP exam. This includes operations, finance, safety, human resources/legal, and vehicle equipment and maintenance.

The materials are constantly updated and refreshed with new content, which ensures a curriculum that includes the most state-of-the-art standards and up-to-date best practices used by leading private fleets.

Step four: Show up and be fully engaged for six straight days at the workshop and Institute. PFMI typically involves around 100 attendees and up to 20 subject matter expert faculty members who are all practicing private fleet managers and nearly all active CTPs. The Institute provides a series of lecture presentations, moderator-led discussion breakouts on best practices, structured networking activities, applied learning exercises, and teamwork on a major case study project followed by competitive group presentations.

Step five: Preparing for the CTP exam and then taking the exam requires a serious investment of time—and should not be taken lightly.

Step six: You will “walk” at the CTP graduation ceremony, receive the official CTP recognition plaque and lapel pin, be part of the CTP class photo, and be officially authorized to add “CTP” after your

Step seven: This very important step is active, long-term participation in NPTC’s culture of learning and networking. This engagement earns points for required recertification of the CTP credential every three years, and it is the stepping stone to a rewarding journey of career-enhancing professional expertise and improved job performance.

Testimonials from dozens of CTP graduates describe the program in glowing superlatives: “The CTP program is a great network for sharing expert ideas and best practices.” “A wealth of management knowledge.” “A tremendous resource for developing top transportation practitioner talent.” “The gold standard for transportation professionalism.”