The National Speakers Association's
Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) Designation

What is CSP?

The Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation, established in 1980, is the speaking industry's international measure of professional platform skill.  CSP is conferred throughout the International Federation for Professional Speakers only on those who have earned it by meeting strict criteria.  The letters CSP following a speaker's name indicate a competent speaking professional with proven experience who understands what is required and knows how to deliver client satisfaction.  Fewer than ten percent of the 4,700 speakers who belong to the International Federation for Professional Speakers hold this professional designation.

 

Standards of the Designation

            Every CSP must:

Maintain membership and subscribe to the Code of Professional Ethics;

                Serve a minimum number of different clients within 5 years;

Present a minimum number of professional speaking engagements within this same 5-year period;

Submit testimonial letters from clients served;

Submit professionally prepared promotional materials;

Receive excellent ratings from past clients on professional performance evaluations; and

Continue education in the professional speaking field through NSA's many educational programs.

The Association

The National Speakers Association is an international association of more than 3,500 members dedicated to advancing the art and value of those who speak professionally.  For more than 31 years, NSA has provided its membership with resources and education designed to advance the skills, integrity and value of professional speakers.

Code of Professional Ethics

To establish and maintain public confidence in the professionalism, honesty, ability and integrity of the professional speaker is fundamental to the future success of the National Speakers Association, its members, and the profession of speaking.  To this end, members of the Association have adopted and, as a condition of membership, subscribe to this Code of Professional Ethics. By doing so, the members give notice that they recognize the vital need to preserve and encourage fair and equitable practices among all who are engaged in the profession of speaking.

Article 1.  The NSA member shall accurately represent qualifications and experience in both oral and written communications.
Article 2.  The NSA member shall act, operate his/her business, and speak on a high professional level so as to neither offend nor bring discredit to the speaking profession.
Article 3.  The NSA member shall exert diligence to understand the client's organization, approaches and goals in advance of the presentation.
Article 4.  The NSA member shall avoid using materials, titles and thematic creations originated by others, either orally or in writing, unless approved by the originator.
Article 5.  The NSA member shall treat other speakers with professional courtesy, dignity and respect.
Article 6.  The NSA member shall maintain and respect the confidentiality of business or personal affairs of clients, agents and other speakers.
Article 7.  The NSA member shall protect the public against fraud or unfair practices and shall attempt to eliminate from the speaking profession all practices, which bring discredit to the profession.
Article 8.  The NSA member shall not be a party to any agreement to unfairly limit or restrain access to the marketplace by any other speaker, client or to the public, based upon economic factors, race, creed, color, sex, age, disability or country of national origin of another speaker.