Certification Application

Certified Network Professional Code of Ethics

This Code of Ethics sets forth the principles and practices of professional conduct to be observed by holders of the Certified Network Professional credential conferred by the Network Professional Association.

Certified Network Professionals have an obligation to their profession to uphold the high ideals and level of personal knowledge evidenced by the Certificate held. Professionals should also encourage the dissemination of knowledge pertaining to the network computing profession. Certified Network Professionals have an obligation to serve the interests of their employers and clients loyally, diligently and honestly. Certified Network Professionals shall not engage in conduct that discredit s the reputation or integrity of the network computing profession in general or the CNP program specifically.

The essential elements relating to professional practice are:
• A high standard of skill and knowledge
• A confidential relationship with people served
• The observance of an ethical code
• Public confidence in and reliance upon the codes, principles, and practices

Principles and Practices
To sustain and advance the integrity, honor, and prestige of the profession, I shall:

Remain current about technological developments in one's field; contribute to the interchange of technical/professional information; and participate in educational activities, as a learner and, when feasible, a teacher.

Recognize and commit to the confidential relationships that exist between professionals and their employers and/or clients; protect from disclosure to third parties any information acquired during the practice of one's profession, unless granted permission from proprietors of that information.

Comply with laws, by-laws, and regulations governing the profession and the industry.

Provide accurate information to consumers, clients, and employers about the profession and services offered.

Promote appropriate standards of professional behavior.

Respect intellectual property rights, including copyrights, patents and trademarks.

Refrain from wittingly claiming competence I do not demonstrably possess; professionals shall not take unfair advantage of the lack of knowledge or inexperience of others.
Not deliberately destroy or diminish the value or effectiveness of a network computing system through acts of commission or omission.

Exercise technical and professional competence in my areas of certification and its specialties. A CNP shall disclose to the employer or client any pertinent known limitations. A CNP shall not deliberately withhold vital information from the employer or client.

Act with strict impartiality when giving independent advice to a client or employer. In the event that the advice given is currently or potentially influential to one's personal benefit, full and detailed disclosure to all relevant interested parties shall be made at the time the advice is provided.

Not knowingly enter into a legal or contractual relationship with a party with whose interests conflict or are likely to conflict with mine¾unless that interest has been disclosed in advance to all parties involved.

Have special regard for the potential effects of network computing systems on individuals’ rights to privacy.

Qualify myself when expressing an opinion outside my professional competence in the event that such an opinion could be used improperly.

Exercise integrity in association interactions. I shall not attempt to obtain certification by fraud or deception. I shall not mis-state a material fact or fail to make a statement of material fact in an application or statement of representation of qualifications to the Certification Council.

Discipline and Revocation
The CNP Advisory Board shall automatically revoke any Certificate for noncompliance with mandatory recertification processes. The CNP Advisory Board, on behalf of the Network Professional Association, has the right to revoke any Certificate which has been awarded by it in the event that the recipient violates the Codes, or engages in conduct that discredits or disgraces the network computing profession.

The CNP Advisory Board has created a set of policies and procedures for handling revocation. These procedures detail the grounds for revocation, the due process requirements of a revocation proceeding, the hearing process with ample opportunity for both sides to present facts and arguments and an appeal process.

Applying for the CNP designation

The application process is designed to include the verification of the major areas of emphasis needed to be a professional in the area of Information Technology. You may submit your CNP application by postal mail, or email.

The Certified Network Professional program requires that you be a current professional member of the Network Professional Association. Your NPA memebrship is included as part of the application process.

In addition to providing personal contact and payment information you will be required to prepare information and collect supporting documentation: proof of certification, proof of employment in information technology, references.

The Certified Network Professional (CNP) designation is only awarded to IT professionals who demonstrate significant professional achievement in IT documented by a combination of professional level work, professional certification, and academic accreditation, and adherence to ethical standards.

Application Process

Make payment for CNP application, $350. This fee covers the Network Professional Association® (NPA) membership and Certified Network Professsional application fee. You have the option of paying by credit card or make payment with mailed application. Either way start the process online:

If you are already an NPA Professional member in good standing, thank you. You will upgrade your membership to include the Certified Network Professional status.

If you are a NPA Community member or otherwise registered in the NPA, begin your application through online registration renewal and fees payment to become an NPA Professional member with CNP status or Associate CNP status (for those not yet able to meet all certification requirements).

If you are not yet an Network Professional Association (NPA) member, begin your application as an NPA Professional with CNP status through online registration and fees payment at the Network Professional Association.

Congratulations on completing step 1. You are a current member of the Network Professional Association. Collect the NPA member ID from the registration summary, your email confirmation or your NPA Member Login page.
Review the CNP Program Guidelines to assist you in completing the CNP application (next step)
Download and complete the CNP Application form (Microsoft Word document) then post or email to CNP@NPA.org

APPLICANT PROFILE INFORMATION - personal and work contact information, title, salary, industry category and type

Experience validation - Experience credits are assigned for professional level work as determined by CNP Guidelines. Some examples of professional work activities would include: network systems analysis and design, network data base analysis or administration, network systems programming, web development, network hardware design, telecommunications, network systems planning or analysis, network security design and analysis, research involving networking, management of networking activities, maintenance where network design or analysis is included, teaching networking at a professional level, sales or marketing where professional level network recommendations are required. You will be required to list then provide documents validating the experience hours, e.g., employer letter.

Education validation - Education credits are assigned for completion of any of the widely recognized certification programs from Major Vendors and the Open Source Community and for an IT related degreed program from an accredited institution. A minimum of 100 points are required for qualification of meeting the standards for entry as a CNP. You will be required to list then provide documents validating the education hours, e.g., transcripts, letter, certificates.

Incentive Information - If applying using an incentive, you will be required to provide validation of membership and conditions of the incentive.

Core Fundamentals - You will be required to show evidence of completing an Accepted Core Fundamentals Exams.

Employment validation - As part of work experience verification you will need to contact your employer(s), and have them email, mail, or call the CNP Program Program (NPA 888-672-6720) to verify work experience.

Certified Network Professional Code of Ethics - You will be required to agree to and be bound by the Certified Network Professional Code of Ethics.

Ethics Validation - The CNP program includes on going education in professional ethics for the Certified Network Professional. The IT Professional has the option of taking an approved education classes in Professional Ethics as Related to IT, or submitting an article or journal paper addressing an ethics topic.

Refund Policy

A significant amount of work is required to process and approve applications. CNP application fees are non-refundable: Refund/Cancellation Policy

The CNP program was developed and funded by the Network Professional Association® (NPA), a self-regulating, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing the network computing profession.