Effective September 15, 2025, the Rutgers Center for Government Services will discontinue issuing the Registered Public Purchasing Official (RPPO) certificates.
We will continue issuing Registered Public Purchasing Specialist (RPPS) certificates.
We will also continue to renew existing RPPO/RPPS certificates, with renewal requirements remaining unchanged.
For RPPS application form and RPPO/S renewal forms, click below. For further information, call the Center for Government Services at 848-932-4739.
RPPO Renewal Form RPPS Renewal Form RPPS Application Form
RPPS Certification Criteria
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Center for Government Services (CGS), will accept applications for registration as a Registered Public Purchasing Specialist in the State of New Jersey. A printed application shall be submitted on a form provided by CGS, along with additional supporting information that indicates the applicant has met the following criteria:
- Applicant is a citizen of the United States;
- Applicant has obtained a certificate or diploma issued after completion of study in an approved secondary school or equivalent;
- Applicant has successfully completed Principles of Public Purchasing 1, 2, and 3, and a Municipal Finance Administration courses offered by CGS. Proof in the form of certificate copies must be submitted with application;
- Applicant is serving in the public sector (local, state, federal) in the general administration of the purchasing process for not less than 3 years. While in this position the applicant must, for example, act as a buyer, make vendor contacts, coordinate specifications, review quotes and bids, administer contracts, review financial statements, maintain inventory control, participate in the development of departmental budgets, assist in departmental personnel management or other similar responsibilities;
- Applicant’s purchasing duties and time in position are attested to by the appointing authority and notarized on Appendix A;
6. Payment of a non-refundable processing fee of $25 upon submission.
Waiver of Time in Position
One year of credit toward the service requirement of three years will be given for two or more years of college credit earned by the applicant. Proof of college credit in the form of a transcript or diploma must be submitted with the application.
A minimum of three years of experience in the public sector with an appropriate job title and responsibility is required.
No credit is given for time in the private sector.
Certification Renewals
Required credit for Recertification must include three (3) contact hours of “Ethics” for both RPPO and RPPS certificate holders. Remaining credits must be in Public Purchasing, of which three (3) may be in Management/Supervision subjects. The applicant is responsible for retaining all records of attendance, organization membership and program participation.
RPPO Certificate Renewals
The certification renewal period is every three years. Twenty (20) continuing education contact hours must be earned over this period.
RPPS Certificate Renewals
The certification renewal period is every three years. Fifteen (15) continuing education contact hours must be earned over this period.
Expired Certificates
Certificates 90 days or more past the expiration date are no longer considered valid. The holder of an invalid or lapsed certificate who is unable to accumulate the appropriate continuing education credit must take a written exam in order to renew the certification. To confirm the applicant’s knowledge of recent developments in the purchasing field, the exam stresses current issues. The exam will be given as deemed necessary by the number of requests received. Renewal will be dated from the month the applicant passes the exam. Certification renewal through examination is $50.
If an individual’s certification has lapsed and the exam option is not taken, the individual must wait a period of three years from the expiration date before being able to once again apply for the RPPO or RPPS certification. The applicant must have completed Principles of Public Purchasing 1, 2, and 3 courses not more than 10 years earlier. If the courses were taken prior to then, the courses must be retaken and successfully completed.
Continuing Education Credits
Continuing education credit can be earned by attendance at seminars, workshops, classes or conferences and through numerous methods of professional development.
Attendance at Seminars, Workshops, Classes, and Conferences:
Credit is given based on hour-for-hour participation, not to exceed five (5) hours per program. Submitted documentation must indicate program title, date and
number of continuing education contact hours earned.
Professional Development Credit Assignments:
- Acceptable records for submission include certificates of attendance, record of payment of dues, letters of appointment to committees, copies of published articles, copies of instructional material (20+ pages), proof of speaking engagements and teaching assignments.
- 1 contact hour per membership per year in professional purchasing organizations (GPANJ/NIGP, etc.);
- 1 contact hour per meeting of above organizations;
- 1 contact hour per year for holding an office in state, county, and national professional purchasing organizations;
- 1 contact hour per year for participation on standing or special committees for professional organizations;
- 2 contact hours per publication of a signed article;
- 1 contact hour per chapter of instructional material;
- 5 contact hours per teaching assignment for instructing in purchasing related courses lasting 5 or more hours;
- Hour per hour, up to 5 hours, for participation as a speaker, moderator, or panel member in a conference, seminar or workshop.