How to get started on your certification journey
Elevate your professional standing with the prestigious certifications from the Turnaround Management Association (TMA) – the Certified Turnaround Professional (CTP) and the Certified Turnaround Analyst (CTA).
CTA Applicant Portfolio
- Submit your application online and pay the $295 USD nonrefundable application fee
- Three Confidential Professional Reference forms
- Passing scores (or exemptions) on the three Certification Exams
CTP Applicant Portfolio
- Submit your application online and pay the $295 USD nonrefundable application fee
- Qualifications Statement of at least one page in length
- Three Confidential Professional Reference forms
- Three or more Position and Experience Confirmation forms, and
- Passing scores (or exemptions) on the three Certification Exams
Application Portfolios are considered complete when all above documents are received by TMA.
Click here if you are a CTA planning to apply for the CTP credential.
Important Notes on Application Materials
Confidential Professional References and Position and Experience Confirmation Forms
CTP candidate portfolios require the submission of three Confidential Professional Reference forms and three Position and Experience Confirmation forms. These forms should be completed by six unique individuals. One professional reference from a current or former colleague or supervisor is acceptable, otherwise forms should be completed by individuals at other firms.
References should be sought from individuals employed by distinct firms (i.e., not more than one bank or law firm represented). These references must be familiar with the applicant’s work as a turnaround leader, and together must demonstrate experience with the candidate across three or more distinct engagements. Current TMA members should be sought as references where possible. Candidates with no TMA member references will receive additional scrutiny.
Education Requirements
CTP and CTA applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Applicants who have not earned a bachelor’s degree but can demonstrate at least five years of executive management, consulting, or loan workout experience also qualify.
CTP Experience Requirements
| Applicant Criteria | Required/Recommended |
|
Must be or must have held positions such as Chief Restructuring Officer (CRO), Interim C-Level Executive (e.g., CEO, COO, CFO), Operating Trustee, or Turnaround Team Leader1 of a distressed entity. There are a variety of roles in the turnaround industry that are important to our profession. However, not all roles fulfill this requirement. Traditional roles that are not considered fulfillment of this requirement include:
| Required |
| Specific, demonstrated experience in the financial, legal, and managerial components of a turnaround.
Additional information is requested in these areas for applicants that have non-traditional paths to the CTP credential, including those who roles have not been traditional TMA member roles, and those whose recommendations are from outside the TMA membership.2 | Required |
|
Candidate must have experience in most of the following areas:
| Candidate must demonstrate most of the requirements. |
| Minimum of four years of turnaround leadership experience. Only experience within the past 15 years from the date of application will qualify.
We are not looking for team members but turnaround leaders. | Required |
1 Turnaround Team Leader must specify the turnaround work performed and the members of the Turnaround Team. A Turnaround Team Leader must have led an effort that was specifically engaged for a turnaround and had specific responsibilities for outcomes that must be explained in the candidate’s Qualifications Statement.
2 Non-Traditional applicants: Applicants who have not worked as turnaround consultants may qualify for this certification but their applications may receive additional scrutiny. Applicants may be requested to provide additional information that supports that their roles were indeed turnaround focused. The Standards Subcommittee will determine if additional information is required.