Many members of our team carry additional letters behind their names that you’ve probably seen, like PhD, JD, or MBA. But what do the others, like CLP and RTTP, mean?
These are certifications and designations attained by those in the technology transfer and licensing fields. They are administered and distributed by the professional societies our team members participate in, such as the Licensing Executive Society and the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals. These designations represent a certain level of proficiency and experience in our field. They also add an additional layer of credibility for our academic and industry partners.
Here are four certifications and designations technology transfer professionals can earn and add to their resume.
Certified Licensing Professional (CLP) – Certified Licensing Professionals, Inc. administers the CLP exam and program. Launched in 2008, CLP helps professionals to stand out with their extensive experience and knowledge in the fields of licensing and commercialization of intellectual property. Approximately 800 individuals worldwide have earned the CLP credential. CLP professionals work in a wide range of areas, including patenting, marketing, valuation, IP law, negotiation, and intellectual asset management. Candidates for the CLP designation must have at least three years of licensing experience, have a bachelor’s degree, and pass a proficiency exam. In addition, recertification is required every three years to support ongoing professional development.
Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) – RTTP accreditation is administered by the Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals (ATTP). As a globally recognized standard for the technology transfer profession, the RTTP accreditation demonstrates one’s achievements and knowledge in previous projects between the research base and business/community organizations. The RTTP designation helps to build trust and confidence with customers and collaborators. To achieve RTTP status, candidates submit an achievement overview that demonstrates their core competencies, and they must serve in a relevant role for at least three years. To encourage the development of technology transfer professionals at all experience levels, ATTP has launched a new designation for those with six months of experience: Candidate RTTP. This enables entrants to signal their commitment to achieving full RTTP status.
Certified Research Administrator (CRA) – CRA is granted by the Researchers Administration Certification Council (RACC) to individuals who have the knowledge to serve as administrators of professional research programs. The benefits of CRA certification include professional recognition and credibility, increased chances of employment, and more opportunities in the research world. As of 2022, there are around 3,300 active CRAs listed in the RACC’s database. CRA applicants are required to have at least three years of professional research experience if they hold a bachelor’s degree, five years with an associate degree, and six years with no degree. For successful certification, applicants need to pass an exam and provide references.
Certified Pre-Award Research Administrator (CPRA) – The CPRA is also administered by RACC and has the same qualifications and benefits for certification. Individuals who earned CPRA show their competence as pre-award research and sponsored program administrators, who are involved in seeking funding and assisting researchers in preparing proposal submissions and budget justification. A CPRA certificate showcases the knowledge of grant and contract management regulations, technical expertise, and analytical skills.
OTT is proud to have three Certified Licensing Professionals and two Registered Technology Transfer Professionals on staff and actively encourages team members to pursue professional designations. According to Executive Director Todd Sherer, himself both CLP and RTTP, “These certification programs allow our team members to demonstrate and be recognized for their performance in our industry. For our faculty and corporate partners, they provide an extra layer of confidence, assuring them that they are dealing with skilled professionals when they work with our team.”