Accelerate your path towards the Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS) designation!
The PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast-Track (CFT) Program is a PPAI Certification initiative aimed at providing promotional products professionals with a minimum of five years of verifiable industry experience with an avenue for “waiving” certain CAS certification requirements in consideration of their experience, education, and/or achievements.
PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program is comprised of two applicant-submitted waivers:
- CFT 15: “Waives” all six CAS-required courses (15 points) for the applicant (each course will show
as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
- CFT 75: “Waives” all six CAS-required courses (15 points) and remaining 60 CAS points for the applicant—qualifies the applicant to immediately sit for the CAS exam (each course will show as “Waived” on the applicant’s transcript)
Criteria
PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program participants must meet one of the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a CFT 15 waiver:
- Possess a Bachelors degree or higher in a related promotional products field (marketing, business, advertising, etc.)
- Possess 10 years or more of promotional products industry experience (does not have to be consecutive years)
- Possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization
- Currently serving in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company
PPAI Professional Development Certification Fast Track (CFT) Program participants must meet two or more of the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a CFT 75 waiver:
- Possess a Bachelors degree or higher in a related promotional products field (marketing, business, advertising, etc.)
- Possess 10 years or more of promotional products industry experience (does not have to be consecutive years)
- Possess a comparable certification from another agency or organization
- Currently serving in a senior management capacity for a promotional products company for a minimum of three years
CFT Program Fees
| Item |
PPAI Member Fee |
Nonmember Fee |
CFT 15: Waiver For CAS Course
Requirements
|
$100 |
$150 |
CFT 75: Waiver For CAS Course
Requirements & CAS Elective Points
|
$150 |
$200 |
Expedited Waiver For CAS
Course Requirements*
|
$125 |
$175 |
Expedited Waiver For CAS Course
Requirements & CAS Elective Points* |
$175 |
$225 |
*Expedited applications are processed within three business days of application submittal.
Access
CFT Spec Sheet 
Access
CFT Online Application