Examination Content

The CPO® examination is based upon a properly conducted Job Task Analysis, which empirically defines the necessary competencies for the successful practice of organizing. The major domains on the examination are:

Foundations of Professional Organizing	25%
Legal and Ethical Considerations	5%
Preliminary Assessment	20%
Action Plan Development	20%
Action Plan Implementation and Project Management	20%
Evaluation, Follow-up, and Maintenance	10%

Detailed Breakdown of Examination Content

I. Foundations of Professional Organizing, 25%

Understand fundamental elements and skills of organizing Sorting and categorizing Purging and letting go Consolidating and containing Space design and planning Decision-making Function and usability Process and workflow (sequential order) Prioritizing Time management strategies (effective use and allocation of time) Understand maintenance of organizational systems and routines Transfer fundamental elements and skills of organizing (using, for example, communication, motivation techniques, and behavior modification) Recognize participant characteristics Chronic disorganization Learning style Personality type Physical and mental health issues Other factors (e.g., age, gender, and cultural variations)

II. Legal and Ethical Considerations, 5%

Understand conflict of interest Maintain confidentiality Avoid price fixing Understand intellectual property, trademark and copyright protection Understand liability

III. Preliminary Assessment, 20%

Conduct the qualifying interview Understand the participants' perceived goals and expectations Identify the participants' organizing challenges Identify all individuals involved in the organizing process Identify each individual's readiness and commitment to the process Discuss pricing policy Determine if a professional relationship should be established Evaluate the current situation Identify process and workflow Understand categorization Understand function and usability Understand space and structures Understand and recognize user habits and behavior Identify comfort and safety issues Identify the cause(s) of the situation Understand participants' behavior and skills Ability to communicate their needs Time management skills Categorization skills Learning styles Technological/Computer skills Habits and routines Physical and mental health issues Understand challenges of physical space or equipment Time management tools Organizing materials and supplies Technology tools (e.g., computers/software) Furniture and equipment Physical space Consider availability of funds

IV. Action Plan Development, 20%

Identify action plan objectives Review assessment findings List and prioritize projects(s) Review participant expectation and desired end results Develop methodologies Recommend solutions and options for each project Behavior modification Time management strategies Workflow and organizing routines System options and customization (e.g., filing, accounting, storage, etc.) Records and information management and retention Identification procedures/labeling systems Comfort and safety considerations Space planning and design Resources List tasks Prioritize tasks Identify and assign participants' responsibilities Estimate and project timeline Research and recommend resources Identify equipment, tools, and facility needs Time management tools Organizing materials and supplies Technology tools (e.g., computers/software) Furniture and equipment Physical space Reference materials Identify product and service provider options Retailers/Wholesalers Internet resources Removal options Selling Recycling Donating Disposing Waste disposal Destruction of confidential materials Estimate Cost Estimate service/labor fees Research supply and material costs Research other costs (e.g., disposal fees, storage rental, etc.) Establish billing terms Communicate action plan Finalize agreement Determine resource availability Schedule action plan elements

V. Action Plan Implementation and Project Management, 20%

Review project objective(s) and goal(s) Execute action plan elements Teach organizing fundamentals and methodologies Identify and address challenges and obstacles Manage resources Manage costs Manage schedule

VI. Evaluation, Follow-up, and Maintenance, 10%

Confirm completion of objective(s) and goal(s) Evaluate project satisfaction Evaluate systems and processes Evaluate timeline Evaluate resources Evaluate costs Recognize transference of skills Make recommendations Encourage maintenance Propose system modifications Suggest additional resource