A program to demonstrate advanced capability in product safety
Consumer Product Safety Professional Certification Program
September – November 2026
Hosted at Virginia Tech Alexandria
Facilitated by the Society of Product Safety Professionals®
Demonstrate advanced capability across the Five Pillars of Knowledge for product safety and strengthen your readiness for broader responsibility within your organization.
Designed for professionals with the required product safety experience who are ready to apply and demonstrate their expertise—not just build it.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS FOR?
This certification program is designed for professionals who work with consumer products and hold responsibility for product safety and related functions. This includes roles in:
Product Safety
Regulatory compliance
Quality
Product Design
Supply Chain Oversight
Post-market risk management
It is intended for individuals who are ready to apply their experience and demonstrate advanced capability in product safety practice.
HOW THIS PROGRAM SUPPORTS YOUR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
This program is designed to assess how professionals apply product safety knowledge in practice across the full product lifecycle. Participation in the program enables professionals to:
Demonstrate applied capability across the Five Pillars of Knowledge
Operate effectively across broader product safety responsibilities
Build confidence operating across cross-functional safety decisions
DO YOU QUALIFY?
Most applicants meet the program requirements through a combination of professional experience and applied product safety responsibilities.
Experience Requirements
5+ years of product safety experience in at least one of the Five Pillars of Knowledge
OR
4 years of experience in at least one of the Five Pillars of Knowledge + completion of Advanced Practices of Product Safety
Application Components
Resume and 300-word experience narrative
Two professional references
Agreement to SPSP policies
HOW YOUR EXPERIENCE FITS
Experience may be gained in industry, consulting, government, or non-profit roles.
Most candidates meet the requirements through a combination of applied product safety responsibilities and cross-functional experience.
Relevant experience may be drawn from consumer products as well as adjacent safety-regulated industries such as food, medical devices, and automotive.
You are likely a strong fit if your experience includes:
● Direct responsibility for product safety - Contributing to decisions or processes that prevent product-related harm
● Active engagement in safety work - Involvement in activities such as design review, hazard identification, compliance, incident response, or corrective actions
● Applied, cross-functional capability - Experience evaluating risks, investigating issues, applying standards, and communicating across teams
If you meet the qualifications, we encourage you to apply.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The program is built around the Five Pillars of Knowledge, which define best practices in product safety:
Organizational Culture and Ethics
Risk Assessment and Management
Regulatory Compliance
Incident Management and Forensics
Product Recalls and Returns
Delivered in partnership with Virginia Tech, the program runs over a two-month period and includes a hybrid format of in-person workshops and live online sessions.
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
In-Person Workshops (Alexandria, VA)
Opening Workshop: September 16–18, 2026
Closing Workshop: November 16–17, 2026
Live Online Webinar Series (Half-Day Sessions)
September 23, 2026
September 30, 2026
October 7, 2026
October 21, 2026
October 28, 2026
Additional program details, including session topics and speakers, will be shared as they are finalized.
WHAT YOU’LL BE ASSESSED ON
This certification program is designed to evaluate how professionals apply product safety knowledge and judgment in practice. Candidates are assessed through:
A multiple-choice examination
A written essay examination based on a product safety scenario
A two-part case study assessment Including the development of a written case study and a live presentation and defense before a panel of product safety experts and university educators
Successful candidates earn the Certified Product Safety Professional™ (CPSP) designation.
Ready to move forward?
COMMON PROFESSIONAL BACKGROUNDS OF APPLICANTS
Applicants to this program come from a range of professional environments, including:
Industry Professionals - Working within organizations that develop, manufacture, or import consumer products, with responsibility for preventing product-related harm.
Consultants and Service Providers - Providing specialized expertise to support product safety programs, including engineering, legal, laboratory, and technical services.
Government Professionals - Working in regulatory or public-sector roles focused on consumer product safety, oversight, or enforcement.
Non-Profit and NGO Professionals - Supporting consumer protection or safety-focused initiatives with a defined role in product safety.
WHO THIS PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR
If you’ve completed Advanced Practices - You’ve built the foundation—this is the next step to formalize your expertise.
If you’re an emerging leader (4–5 years experience) - Strengthen your ability to contribute beyond execution and take on broader responsibility.
If you have 5+ years of experience - Validate your expertise and demonstrate your capability across the full product safety system.
If you manage product safety professionals - Support the development of high-potential team members and strengthen organizational capability.
PROGRAM FEES & DEADLINES
Program Fee:
$3,900
Discounts:
SPSP Members: Save $150
Early Bird: Save $150 (through June 10, 2026)
Discounts may be combined
Key Dates:
Early Bird Deadline: June 10, 2026
Final Application Deadline: August 6, 2026
The program fees cover all costs associated with the program including continental breakfast, lunch, and afternoon snacks. Travel costs including lodging, dinners and transportation are not included. Hotel block information will be provided to accepted applicants.
Take the next step in your product safety practice
If you meet the qualifications, we encourage you to apply.