Renewing your CITPNZ

Chartered IT Professional NZ must be renewed every 5 years. For most people this is a quick and simple 15-30 minute process outlining how you continue to meet the CITPNZ requirements.

Renewing CITPNZ is usually done via the completion of a fillable PDF form, and submitted to our Certifications team. This should take around 15-30 minutes to complete and can be submitted anytime in the 6 months prior to CITPNZ expiring. PLEASE NOTE, some browsers/ browser versions do not recognise the content, with this in mind we recommend that you download the form and fill it in, rather than complete it within the browser window.

Why CITPNZ needs to be renewed

Chartered IT Professional NZ (CITPNZ) isn't like a degree or other qualification that just affirms that a certain set of knowledge or skills are held at one point in time; it's also a peer-reviewed certification that senior IT Professionals practice professionally, and do so on an ongoing basis.

This means that CITPNZ holders need to confirm periodically (every 5 years) that they continue to meet the robust requirements of CITPNZ, as well as participate in occassional audits in other years.

Renewal process

In most cases renewal doesn't involve a full assessment like the application process for CITPNZ. Everyone who holds CITPNZ has already undertaken a significant assessment initially, so the 5-yearly review just looks at whether a Chartered IT Professional continues to meet the standard.

Details are below, but basically the renewal process looks at whether the CITPNZ holder:

1. Still works at SFIA Level 5 (or above) in the Autonony, Influence, Complexity and Business Skills areas of SFIA (details here)
2. Has undertaken 30 hours of CPD per year, focusing on the last 12 months prior to the review
3. Has completed at least 5 hours of service to the community per year
4. Meets the other requirements of CITPNZ, such as good character requirements

The easiest way to provide this evidence is to complete the fillable PDF form, save it, and email to [email protected]. You can complete this on almost any device, or print and manually complete the form (completing it electronically is recommended).

The assessor assigned to the renewal application may request additional information. If it is not possible to ascertain that the CITPNZ holder meets the requirements, a full review may be necessary. This is similar to the initial application including a full interview.

Due to recent changes to the CITP requirements, the process of renewing CITPNZ has been streamlined and there is now no cost to renewing, other than the usual annual cost of maintaining CITPNZ.

Guide to completing the renewal Form

ITPNZ has opted for a fillable PDF form for renewal applications, to enable applicants to complete the form over several sittings if necessary and submit it easily via email when ready. Fillable PDF Forms are compatible with a wide range of computers and devices.

Applicants may alternatively opt to simply submit the following information in an email if they prefer.

The following is a short guide to the information requested:

Current role details

Enter your name, member (or CITPNZ) number, current role/occupation, current employer (if applicable) and a brief outline of your roles/occupations over the last 3 years (if different).

Your member number is listed in the ITP member portal, or alternatively search for your name on the CITPNZ register. Leave this blank if you are unsure.

SFIA Level 5 requirements

On the following pages, provide examples of your continuing work, and achievement of results, operating at SFIA level 5 (or above) in the areas of Autonomy, Influence, Complexity and Business Skills. The definitions are on the form or here, and this is expected to be for at least 2 of the last 3 years.

If you haven't worked the equivalent of 2 of the last 3 years as an IT Professional, please contact us. In some circumstances we can exempt you from this requirement provided you have sufficient practice experience over the last 5 years.

It's important to include actual examples from your work experience when completing this section. Note that you do not need to provide evidence of this in the form - ITP will contact you if more information is required.

CPD requirements

Chartered IT Professionals NZ must complete an average of at least 30 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year. This is audited periodically, and the last 12 months is reported on when completing your CITPNZ renewal.

ITP uses a points system to determine how much of each activity counts towards this total (ie what proportion of an activity counts as CPD). Those with CITPNZ need 30 points in total, with One (1) CPD point earned for any activity lasting up to 3 hours (including networking) and for longer activities, three (3) CPD points are earned per half-day.

CPD can include any of the following to a maximum of 15 points each (per year):

• Formal training, workshops, conferences, courses, presentations, events, trade presentations or other related activities, up to 15 points for any one activity. ?
• "On the job" training, where such training is not just standard work. ?
• Professional reading including relevant academic journals, trade magazines or general IT or other publications related to the work of the individual.
• Participation in ITP's Mentoring, TechHub in Schools or other outreach programmes.

Up to 7 points can also be included for service on the Institute's National Board, Branch Committees, Boards, Advisory or Steering Groups or other similar formally constituted group, and other activities may be approved by ITP.

When filling in the renewal form, only include details of the activities that show at least 30 hours' of CPD using the above formulas. No evidence is required, however we recommend keeping evidence for 12 months as a proportion of renewals will be audited.

Service to the Community

Chartered IT Professionals must undertake an average of at least 5 hours of "pro bono" or unpaid service to the community each year. "The community" can include the IT professional community or the wider community (where assisting in your capacity as an IT Professional). 

Note that this service does not have to be via ITP, however it does need to be in your capacity as an IT Professional (rather than simply a charitable member of the public). Activities undertaken as part of paid employment, or as a publicity or marketing exercise, cannot be included. 

Examples of service to the community include:

• Participation in ITP's Mentoring, TechHub in Schools or other outreach programmes.
• Service on the Institute's National Board, Branch Committees, Boards, Advisory or Steering Groups or other similar formally constituted group.
• Helping to organise an IT-related meetup or networking group.
• Helping out a local school or charity (in your capacity as an IT Professional).
• Helping in the CITPNZ assessment process for other applicants as a Subject Expert.
• Serving on an ITP Degree Accreditation panel.

You can use the same activity to meet both the CPD and Service to the Community requirements where an activity meets both definitions (for example, serving as a Mentor).

As with CPD, you need to outline the work you have completed but don't need to affix evidence - a portion will be audited.

Other requirements

Finally, the form asks you to confirm:

1. To the best of your knowledge, you believe you continue to meet the CITPNZ ongoing requirements in every way.
2. You have not been convicted of a crime in the last 5 years, and to the best of your knowledge you are not currently under investigation by the New Zealand Police, nor do you have charges pending, on any matter related to dishonesty or fraud. (If so, please outline them on the last page)
3. You continue to be available to assist in the assessment of other CITPNZ applicants as a Subject Expert (subject to availability)
4. You have answered all questions truthfully to the best of your knowledge.

You can confirm this by placing a checkmark in each of the 4 boxes, with your name and date underneath.