Grow Your Skills
PPAI’s education and professional certification programs are the most respected in promotional products. Rise above the competition by advancing your knowledge or enhancing your team’s credentials.
Education
Your Path to TAS, CAS and MAS
No matter where you are in your career − just starting out or ready to lead − our tiered certification program builds real skills, boosts your credibility and helps you move forward with confidence.
How the Certification Levels Work
Our certification program is progressive, and each level builds on the one before it.
The Trained Advertising Specialist certification is the start for every professional in the industry. Get grounded with the essentials you need to grow confidently in your career. Whether you’re just getting started or have years of experience, this certificate offers valuable insights at any stage. TAS is a single course that takes about four hours to complete. Choose from one of four tracks: Sales, Marketing, Technology or Support. The first seven modules are the same across all tracks, while the eighth is tailored to your selected role.
TAS is a required prerequisite before beginning your CAS.
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Take your skills to the next level. CAS focuses on deeper knowledge in a variety of course options. You must hold TAS before applying for CAS.
The required coursework includes four courses:
CAS220: Business Ethics: Navigating Complexity and Responsibility (2 CEUs)
CAS221: Navigating Digital Security (2 CEUs)
CAS222: Navigating the Promotional Products Industry (3 CEUs)
PSA Required: Product Safety Basics (1 CEU)
In addition to these required courses, you need to earn 42 elective CEUs. This is where you can create your own journey – learn more about how to earn Universal Continuing Education Units below.
The certification fee is $225 for members and $325 for nonmembers. Certification is valid for 3 years. Recertification requires 30 CEUs and $75 (members) and $150 (non-members).
Earn Universal Continuing Education Units —Your Way
No matter which level you’re pursuing, If you’re pursuing your CAS or MAS, you can earn universal continuing education units through a variety of experiences:
Attend: Sessions at The PPAI Expo Conference, NALC, LEAD, WLC, Responsibility Summit, LDC and live webinars
Engage: Volunteer, speak, or lead within the industry
Learn: Complete on-demand, self-paced courses that fit your schedule
Serve: Contribute through committee work and association engagement
All CEUs count and every CEU helps move you forward. Once you have achieved your preferred level, you can continue earning CEUs to move up or renew. To track your progress, check the transcript available on the lefthand menu in the online education platform. To determine how many CEUs you have remaining to earn your next certification or if you need help, reach out to onlineedu@ppai.org.
Apply for Certification at Each Stage
Once you meet the requirements:
Submit your application through the Online Platform using the applicable course titled: *CAS/MAS Certification Application or *CAS/MAS Recertification Application
Our team will confirm your eligibility and award your certification.
You’ll receive a digital badge and printable certificate to mark the milestone.
Whether it’s your first certificate or final certification, every one is worth celebrating. You’re never on this journey alone.
Our certification program is about more than checking boxes – it’s about recognizing your dedication, expanding your opportunities, and connecting you to a powerful community of professionals.
From your first TAS certificate to your MAS certification, we’re with you every step of the way.
Enroll Today
The MAS is the pinnacle of professional achievement in the promotional products industry. MAS is for experienced leaders and innovators ready to dive into advanced topics and strategic impact.
The required coursework includes these courses:
MAS Required: Three Essential Ingredients To Scale Your Business (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Tactical Crisis Communication: Knowing What To Say And When To Say It (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Small Business Virtual Session: People Leadership (1 CEU)
Mexico Nearshoring: A Case for Reimagining your Supply Chain (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Marketing Strategies That Eliminate Price Resistance (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Invisible Or Remarkable: Notes From The Revolution (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Forging Ahead With Strategic Foresight (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Uncovering Customer Experience Opportunities (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Refueling Passion & Preserving Motivation (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Corporate Social Responsibility Panel: More Than Buzz Words (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Avoiding Scams In 2020 (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Diversity Opens Doors: Selling To Major Corporations And The Fortune 500 (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Cyber Security Best Practices (1 CEU)
MAS Required: CPSC’s New Age Determination Guidelines – How Do They Affect Your Product? (1 CEU)
MAS Required: Customer Lifecycle Marketing: Navigating Your Customers To The Target (1 CEU)
MAS Required: In Depth Look At How To Handle A Recall (1 CEU)
In addition to these required courses, you need to earn 84 elective CEUs. This is where you can create your own journey – learn more about how to earn Universal Continuing Education Units below.
Must hold CAS in good standing before applying for MAS. The certification fee is $225 for members and $325 for nonmembers. Certification is valid for 3 years. Recertification requires 60 CEUs and $75 (members) and $150 (non-members).
Earn Universal Continuing Education Units —Your Way
No matter which level you’re pursuing, If you’re pursuing your CAS or MAS, you can earn universal continuing education units through a variety of experiences:
Attend: Sessions at The PPAI Expo Conference, NALC, LEAD, WLC, Responsibility Summit, LDC and live webinars
Engage: Volunteer, speak, or lead within the industry
Learn: Complete on-demand, self-paced courses that fit your schedule
Serve: Contribute through committee work and association engagement
All CEUs count and every CEU helps move you forward. Once you have achieved your preferred level, you can continue earning CEUs to move up or renew. To track your progress, check the transcript available on the lefthand menu in the online education platform. To determine how many CEUs you have remaining to earn your next certification or if you need help, reach out to onlineedu@ppai.org.
Apply for Certification at Each Stage
Once you meet the requirements:
Submit your application through the Online Platform using the applicable course titled: *CAS/MAS Certification Application or *CAS/MAS Recertification Application
Our team will confirm your eligibility and award your certification.
You’ll receive a digital badge and printable certificate to mark the milestone.
Whether it’s your first certificate or final certification, every one is worth celebrating. You’re never on this journey alone.
Our certification program is about more than checking boxes – it’s about recognizing your dedication, expanding your opportunities, and connecting you to a powerful community of professionals.
From your first TAS certificate to your MAS certification, we’re with you every step of the way.
Enroll Today
Similar to our MAS Certificate, the PPAI Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+) certificate is awarded to the true experts in promotional products. The “Plus” of this designation is awarded based on additional accomplishments and the demonstration of hands-on, extensive contribution to our industry.
MAS+ Applicants must already hold a valid MAS Certification. To pursue MAS+ certification, professionals will demonstrate their continued expertise. This includes their total completion of education credits, in addition to a detailed work project in the promotional products industry.
More InformationPPAI Educational Conferences
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Seats fill fast for PPAI’s summer conference series – a great way to rack up educational credits toward a CAS or MAS certification while networking with industry leaders! Be the first to know when event registration opens.