You see it all the time in the promotional products industry… behind a name in an email signature, or on LinkedIn: Russell Bird, MASI or Kevin Flynn, MAS.  What do these letters mean, and how do I get to put them behind my name?

PPAI Education Accreditation

MAS is the Master of Advertising Specialties. PPAI also offers TAS, CAS and MAS+. These are described below.

ASI Education Accreditation

MASI is the Master of Advertising Specialty Information.  ASI also offers BASI (Bachelor of Advertising Specialty Information).

These formal industry training certifications are a great way to promote lifelong learning within your company. Achieving these certifications also helps you and your staff validate the hard work it takes to become educated within the Promotional Products marketplace. MAS+ and MASI are the highest level of certification available within our industry, and so represent having the highest level of professional knowledge and experience.

Many of the people who apply to be mentors within the PromoKitchen mentorship program have achieved one of these designations through years, if not decades, of education, experience, and knowledge.

How do you get these certifications?  There are 2 different paths… through ASI and PPAI.

ASI’s Certification (BASI & MASI)

ASI runs a website called ASI University. If you are an ASI member, then all of their education programs and videos are free of charge and can be accessed here: https://www.asicentral.com/education.  ASI invests over $1 million annually to educate their members, and they cover all the costs of this certification program.

To get your certification, you must take and pass the exams for BASI and MASI.  To pass an exam, you need a score of 70% or greater on the 60-question multiple choice exams. If you want to take the exams you can email asieducation@asicentral.com to get a copy. You will then have a limited time to complete them.  People who receive their BASI and MASI get recognition within ASI publications as well as on their social media platforms, access to exclusive receptions at The ASI Shows and more.

PPAI’s Certification (TAS, CAS, MAS, MAS+)

If you are interested in pursuing PPAI’s professional certifications, there is a program for every stage of your career. PPAI offers the following certifications:

●       Trained Advertising Specialist (TAS)

●       Certified Advertising Specialist (CAS)

●       Master Advertising Specialist (MAS)

●        Master Advertising Specialist Plus (MAS+)

You can dive deeper on PPAI’s website into each certification type, program requirements, the application process, and associated fees to explore the levels of certification. Each certification acts as a steppingstone to the next level. Should you feel like you already have a strong baseline of knowledge and at least 3 years industry experience, you can opt into the certification Fast Track program. The Fast Track TAS waives the TAS course requirements and opens all quizzes for immediate testing. It is worth noting that you do not have to be a PPAI member to complete the industry-wide programs for certification.

The PPAI Certification Programs have been designed to work with your schedule to earn credit through live and online events; meaning you can complete these programs at your own pace. Did you know that you can earn certification credit toward any of these programs by attending The PPAI Expo and other live education opportunities like the SPARK Conference or the Technology Summit? Additionally, PPAI’s Online Education platform includes a growing database of hundreds of live recorded sessions and on-demand webinars to help you achieve your desired certification. To earn official credit for an online course, you will need to complete the quiz or survey at the end of each session to be added to your certification transcript. If you have questions about how to begin your PPAI certification, you can email certification@ppai.org.

Earning any of the certifications offered by our industry is a great way to indicate your knowledge and expertise while demonstrating a higher standard of professionalism within our industry. 

If you are not sure which certification is right for you, make sure to ask for someone who has this accreditation when you are requesting a mentor through PromoKitchen. Often mentors with formal industry certifications can walk you through the steps to achieving the certifications yourself!