NZCS ITCP - Information Technology Certified Professional

Certification Routes

There are a total of six Certification Routes, each with their own set of Entry Requirements and Assessment methods.

It should be noted that the standards being assessed are the same across all Routes (see Areas of Assessment) . However the different Routes each outline a different assessment mechanism for this standard.

Main Routes for ITCP

The following are the most common ITCP Routes for IT Professionals. Generally speaking, most seeking ITCP Certification would consider one of these three routes.

1. Formal Education plus Experience Route

The Education plus Experience Route is for those with a formal Computing/ICT degree plus experience at a supervisory or senior level. Applicants for this route will generally be senior ICT professionals with a solid combination of formal education and experience.

To apply via this route applicants need to:

• Meet the General Entry Requirements of the NZCS Certification Programme;
• Have completed a computing/IS/ICT degree recognised at the New Zealand National Qualifications Framework level 7, or an overseas equivalent qualification; and
• Have accumulated at least 3 years of professional experience at a senior or supervisory level; and
• The total accumulated time spent in tertiary education and industry/professional experience being 9 years or higher.

2. Established ICT Professional Route

This route is designed for ICT Professionals who have reached the defined level of competence through informal, or industry-based advancement. As a guideline, applicants for this route will generally have a minimum of 10 years of ICT experience, at least 5 in a supervisory or senior position.

Applicants without the requisite experience will be considered, however a strong history of industry-based ongoing professional development is essential.

To apply via this route applicants need to:

• Meet the General Entry Requirements of the NZCS Certification Programme;
• Demonstrate a prior ongoing commitment to professional development, including training, courses, and continual learning.

3. Established Academic Route

The Established Academic Route is for full-time career academics, working at Senior Lecturer level or above at a recognised NZ tertiary institution. Applicants will be a senior academic currently based in New Zealand.

To apply via this route applicants need to:

• Meet the General Entry Requirements of the NZCS Certification Programme;
• Hold an academic position in a Computer Science (CS) or Information Systems (IS) department or equivalent at a New Zealand Tertiary Institution and hold the position of Senior Lecturer or above (or equivalent); and
• Be established in their field, and contributing significantly in 2 out of 3 of:
  • Teaching, including course design;
  • As a peer-reviewed published researcher; or
  • Significant service to their discipline and/or profession over a reasonable period of time;

Other ITCP Routes

These routes are generally for those that don't meet the requirements of the main routes above, or that have completed an examination or certification assessment recognised by NZCS.

4. Cross-Recognition of Other Professional Certifications

This route is for those who hold an equivalent accreditation or certification recognised by NZCS and based on similar standards and requirements, and accrediting to SFIA Level 5 or above.

Currently only certifications offered by bodies accredited by the global IP3 Body are eligible for this route, plus the BCS "Chartered IT Professional" Certification.

Hence, the eligible certifications are currently:

• Australian Computer Society "Computer Professional" (ACS CP)
• British Computer Society "Chartered IT Professional" (BCS CITP)
• Canadian Info Processing Society ISP/ITCP (CIPS ITCP)

To apply via this route applicants need to:

• Meet the General Entry Requirements of the NZCS Certification Programme;
• Have successfully completed a NZCS-recognised alternative professional certification programme with their certification current at the time of ITCP application.

NZCS may consider recognition of other certification programmes in future.

5. Exam Route

NZCS recognise specific professional examinations currently available from our international partners. Professionals can choose to advance through the Certification process via these formal examinations. Applicants will have completed a recognised professional examinations regime plus completed a specified number of years experience as an ICT professional.

To apply via this route applicants need to:

• Meet the General Entry Requirements of the NZCS Certification Programme;
• Have completed one of the following:
• BCS Diploma level pass plus 5 years ICT experience; or
• BCS Graduate level pass plus 4 years ICT experience; or
• ACS CPeP level pass plus 4 years ICT experience; or
• ISEB Professional Level plus 5 years ICT experience.

NZCS may consider recognition of other examination programmes - please contact certification@nzcs.org.nz for more information

6. IT Industry Leader Route

The IT Industry Leader Route is for those that have a notable career in ICT, are recognised leaders in the field, advocate for the profession, and operate at the strategic level.

Applicants will generally be widely recognised as significant leaders within the discipline of IT. These would generally include senior professionals (for instance CEOs, CIOs and senior managers or IT professionals) who demonstrably contribute to or advocate for the profession and generally have responsibility for a mid to large team of ICT professionals or be significant thought leaders.

The primary purpose of this route is to provide a mechanism for very senior IT professionals who clearly meet the intended level and requirements of ITCP, but may not meet the specific requirements of one of the Routes, to be considered.

To apply via this route applicants need to:

• Meet the General Entry Requirements of the NZCS Certification Programme;
• Have an established and notable career in IT including significant achievement;
• Be recognised as a leader in ICT organisational management;
• Be demonstrably operating at SFIA level 7;
• Have an ICT technical background or history which would be sufficient to achieve full NZCS Member level (MNZCS);
• Be responsible for IT strategies and resources at the organisational strategic level.