Direct comparison
RTTP vs CLP Credentials Compared
RTTP and CLP are both real tech-transfer credentials, but differ sharply: RTTP is portfolio-based and international; CLP is exam-based and licensing-specific.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | RTTP | CLP |
|---|---|---|
| What it certifies | Full knowledge-exchange/tech-transfer lifecycle: disclosure through commercialization | IP licensing and commercialization transactions specifically |
| Administering body | ATTP (Alliance of Technology Transfer Professionals) -- a consortium of ~16 national/regional TT associations | Certified Licensing Professionals, Inc. (“CLP Board”); closely associated with LES/LESI’s exam-review infrastructure |
| Geographic scope | International by design -- applicant must belong to one of ~16 ATTP member associations across multiple countries | Not formally restricted, but in current practice concentrated through LES USA-Canada/LESI and a USD fee -- more US/Canada-centric |
| Assessment format | Portfolio/evidence review (training-route CE points or experience-route deal list + Achievement Overview) -- no standardized exam | 150-item multiple-choice exam, 3 hours, computer-based |
| Tiers/levels | Three tiers: Candidate RTTP, full RTTP, RTTP Fellow (senior, ~15+ years) | Single credential level (no published multi-tier structure) |
| Core competency/exam areas | Six areas: strategic/business insight, entrepreneurial leadership, legal/scientific/technical know-how, effective engagement, governance/project management, knowledge transformation | Strategy, IP protection, opportunity assessment/valuation, marketing, agreement drafting, negotiation, agreement management |
| Minimum experience (standard tier) | 3+ years professional KE/TT experience plus ATTP member-association membership | 3 years (with bachelor’s degree) or 6 years (without) of licensing experience within the prior 8 years, active within the last 12 months |
| Application cost | Set by applicant’s home association -- not published centrally by ATTP | $995 USD, includes two exam attempts within a 13-month eligibility window |
| Renewal | Ongoing Continuing Education evidence tracked via ATTP’s competency framework | Periodic recertification required -- see licensingcertification.org for the current cycle |
| Typical audience | University, hospital, and government-lab TTO staff across the full disclosure-to-commercialization workflow, especially with cross-border activity | Licensing-transaction specialists and IP licensing executives, often US/Canada-based |
Common questions
FAQ
Can one professional hold both RTTP and CLP?+
Yes. They test different things -- RTTP is a broader lifecycle portfolio review, CLP is a licensing-specific standardized exam -- and nothing prevents holding both. Some licensing-focused tech-transfer professionals, particularly in the US, hold both credentials.
Is either credential legally required to work in technology transfer or licensing?+
No. Both are voluntary professional credentials. Employers and technology transfer offices may value them as an externally validated competency signal, but neither is a licensing requirement to practice in the field.
Is CLP recognized outside North America?+
CLP is not formally restricted to any country, but its exam-review infrastructure and promotional network run predominantly through LES USA-Canada and LESI chapters, and its published fee is in USD. RTTP was purpose-built for cross-border recognition across ATTP’s member associations. Confirm current international availability directly at licensingcertification.org.
Does either credential require a law degree?+
No. CLP eligibility runs through two experience-based pathways (a bachelor’s degree plus 3 years of licensing experience, or 6 years of experience without a bachelor’s degree) -- neither pathway requires a law degree. RTTP is based on a demonstrated competency portfolio and professional experience, not formal legal credentials.
Going deeper
