International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection

The IFCPP offers the ONLY professional certification for persons working in, or responsible for, cultural property protection. Our multi-tiered program applies to security officers, supervisors, directors, administrators, facility managers, human resources staff, curators, registrars, librarians, and others who wish to gain crucial information and education about the latest methods available in protecting cultural, educational, and public institutions.

Certified Institutional Protection Specialist (CIPS): designates those line officers, mid-level supervisors, or front-line staff working in, or directly responsible for, the protection of a cultural institution. This category includes proprietary or contract security officers, or other staff with additional duties in facility protection.

Certified Institutional Protection Manager (CIPM): designates those managers, directors, administrators, or others responsible for the protection of a cultural institution. Candidates in this category include contract or proprietary security managers, security directors, law enforcement officers, facility managers, administrators, or those ultimately responsible for protection of the facility.

Certified Institutional Protection Technician (CIPT): designates qualified alarm, computer, communications, and other technology experts working in a cultural property protection environment, with primary responsibilities in technology-based areas.

You may qualify now for national certification.  CIPS and CIPM programs require submittal of qualifications and review by the professional certification board, attendance at a full-day workshop or completion of online course work, and written examination.  The program is presented by a highly skilled team of expert instructors.  Live certification workshops are offered at the IFCPP annual conference, as well as regionally throughout the year.

IFCPP offers the following certification options:

CIPS Live Course Work ($165) – Three-year certification.  Presented at any location, or in conjunction with a relevant educational event (e.g. industry trade conference).  Per person fee inclusive of application, background check, course work, handouts, exam, and certification.

CIPM Live Course Work ($195) – Three-year certification.  Presented at any location, or in conjunction with a relevant educational event (e.g. industry trade conference).  Per person fee inclusive of application, background check, course work, handouts, exam, and certification.

CIPS Online ($200) – Three-year certification. Per person fee inclusive of application, background check, course work, quizzes, and certification.  Available at www.ifcpp.org for completion of 11 courses and quizzes.  To be completed at your own pace within 60 days.

CIPM Online ($250) - Three-year certification. Per person fee inclusive of application, background check, course work, exam, and certification.  Available at www.ifcpp.org for completion of 8 courses and exam.  To be completed at your own pace within 60 days.

CIPS DVDs ($119 per segment or $1,099 for box set of 11 courses, $59 per exam) - Three-year certification. Fee inclusive of application, background check, course work, and certification for an unlimited number of participants/candidates.  Discounted fee requires Institutional or Associate membership.

CIPS & CIPM Re-Certification ($45 & $65) - Every 3 years by application or completion of updated course work.

CIPT Certification ($195) – Three-year certification by application.  Contact us for details.

All certification program offerings require completion of preliminary application and certification forms and authorization for the conduct of a confidential criminal history check.  Ask us now for the required forms.  Active membership is required for all online programs.

If qualified, candidates may attend a live program workshop/exam or complete online course work/exam and leave with certification in hand!

Please see the Training Calendar page for class dates and locations.

Our super cadre of professional instructors are nationally recognized as the finest group of presenters available ANYWHERE. Course materials are the combined efforts of leading professionals in cultural property protection. Regular instructors include:

Nick Artim, PE, CIPT, CIPI: President, Heritage Protection Group, Fire Safety Network; Member, The Protection Alliance; Advisory Board and IFCPP Fire Protection Advisor.

Robert D. Bowman, J.D., CIPM II, CIPI: Security Director for The Dayton Art Institute and Chief of Police for Perry Township; a licensed attorney; State of Ohio Basic Law Enforcement Academy Commander and Instructor; IFCPP Legal Advisor.

Michael Kirchner, CPP, CIPM II, CIPI: Director of Safety & Security, Harvard Art Museum; President, Guardwatch Security Services; former police chief and coordinator of homeland security advisory council.

Stevan P. Layne, CPP, CIPM, CIPI: President, Layne Consultants International; IFCPP Certification Committee Chair; Member, The Protection Alliance; IFCPP Founding Director.

Steven C. Millwee, CPP: 2003 Chairman of the Board of ASIS International; 2002 ASIS President; one of the highest rated speakers and court certified experts on workplace violence and employment screening; currently president and CEO of SecurTest, Inc.

Anders C. Noyes, CPP, CIPM, CIPI: Safety & Security Manger, ILM; former Director of Museum Security Services, Asian Art Museum; President, IFCPP San Francisco Bay Area Chapter; Advisory Board, IFCPP.

Mark C. Peterson, CIPT: Senior Consultant, Layne Consultants International; Principal, MC Peterson & Associates; Member, The Protection Alliance; leading design & specification authority; Physical & Electronic Security Advisory, IFCPP.

William J. Powers III, CIPM II, CIPI: Director of Facilities, Clark Art Institute; Sergeant at Arms & Self Defense/Use of Force Advisor, IFCPP.

Ray Van Hook, CPP, CIPM, CIPI: Associate Director, School of the Art Institute of Chicago; former Executive Director of Protection Services for the Art Institute of Chicago; former Director of Protection Services, Safety and Facilities at the Terra Museum of American Art; former Director of Protection Services for the Museum of Science and Industry; Advisory Board, IFCPP.

Fred Young, CIPM, CIPI: Insurance &Risk Management Director, The Wildlife Experience & RE/MAX International.

Plus, several other outstanding instructors and nationally recognized authorities.  Instructors may vary between live and online courses.