Nearly one-third of all U.S. small businesses are involved in some form of barter. Sixty-five percent of corporations listed on the New York Stock Exchange are presently using barter to reduce surplus inventory, bolster sales, or ensure production facilities. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates that between 20 and 25 percent of all world trade is barter. In addition, corporate barter is now a $20 billion industry. In short, barter continues to carve out an important place in the U.S. and worldwide economy.

As representatives of the barter industry, we have established standards that provide guidelines for the highest level of professionalism. For example, an Accreditation Program provides these performance standards for trade brokers across the country. These standards challenge each one of us to strive for the highest level of service to our clients and ensures the continued growth and expansion of our industry.

As a professional involved in managing and providing bartering services, you are invited to apply for professional broker accreditation as a Certified Trade Broker.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, you must possess a Bachelor’s degree or have at least two years successful brokering experience with a trade organization.

Accreditation Procedure

If you meet eligibility requirements, the return of the attached application will start the process. The application will help you record your personal, academic, and professional credentials. You will earn points for these and continue to earn additional points for future accomplishments as well.

Additionally, you must attend a two-hour Certification Course and must pass both the oral and written examinations administered by the Accreditation Board. Applicant-designated references must confirm exceptional job performance and professionalism in order for you to receive certification.

Typically, you will be able to earn Certified Trade Broker status within one year of application. During this time, your application will be kept on file with the Accreditation Board. When you submit written validation of each new accomplishment, the committee will update your file and track your progress. When you have completed all requirements and earned sufficient points, you will receive you Certified Trade Broker documentation.

Accreditation Points System

The Certified Trade Broker Accreditation Program is based on a 200-point system (minimum) which awards credit for education, experience, and participation in barter programs. Credit will be given for achievement of 200 points in five different categories:

1. Academic preparation
2. Conference attendance
3. Event chairperson
4. Professional conduct, and
5. Examinations

Academic Preparation

You can earn 10 points for each year of post-high school education, college and graduate degrees plus every year of brokering experience you have in excess of the 2-year minimum eligibility requirement. Check the Point System Summary on the next page for the maximum points you can earn in each category.

Additional points can be earned by successfully completing supplementary courses in Economics, Communications, and Marketing at an accredited college or university. Seminars and workshops may also merit credit but must be approved in advance by the Accreditation Board.

Mandatory Certification Course

A two-hour mandatory Certification Course will contribute points as well as enhance important professional skills. Your knowledge of course topics will be tested during the oral and written examinations. For your convenience, these courses will be given during NATE conferences.

Event Participation

To obtain a Certified Trade Broker status, you must also earn points through your involvement in activities on behalf of your clients and company. (Earn points for chairing trade shows, auctions, seminars, etc.)

Conference Attendance

Your involvement and support of educational activities that take place at association meetings is also critical. Therefore, you will also earn points for attendance at regional and national NATE meetings.

Professional Conduct

Because Trade Broker Accreditation is as much a measure of your professionalism as it is your skills, you must demonstrate strict adherence to an industry code of ethics which requires truth, honor, and fairness in your professional relationships. As you know, you must submit the names of two (2) people who can verify your experience and the names of two (2) people who can validate your professionalism. You must attach to your application a written recommendation from your exchange owner.

Written & Oral Examinations

A written and oral examination will be administered by the Accreditation Board. These exams are designed to test your knowledge of our industry and evaluate your professional skills. You will be tested on your knowledge of marketing, advertising, accounting and purchasing concepts, understanding of barter basics, customer service issues, barter ethics, and your ability to calculate and apply leverage factors, as well as your telephone skills.

Candidates will be mailed notification of test scores within 60 days of the exam. Successful completion of these exams is mandatory for certification designation. (Retesting is permissible.)

Points System Summary

Area of achievement – Points Earned

For each year of experience (max 3) – 10
Attending a Regional Meeting – 10
Attending a National Meeting – 20
Acting as a Local Event Chairperson – 20
For each year of college – 10
For earning an Associate’s Degree – 5
For earning a Bachelor’s Degree – 10
For earning a Master’s Degree – 15
Completing a Continuing Ed Course – 10
Exhibiting Exceptional Job Performance* – 20
Adherence to Code of Ethics* – 20
Passing the CTB Exam* – 50
*Mandatory Certification Requirements

Certification Designation

Upon successful completion of all requirements, you will be awarded your Certified Trade Broker certificate. (The CTB is awarded to individuals and must never be used as part of a trade or company name.)

The initials, CTB, should be used directly after your name. The designation should appear on professional stationery, checks, in advertising, or in trade/business directories. The designation should also be used on name badges at conventions, meeting, and seminars. (Entry fee of $50.00 must be submitted with application.)

CTB Application Form