Frequently Asked Questions

Certification

Why obtain a certification in loss prevention?

• Certification program establishes a common language for the industry, enhances education at all levels and increases the degree of professionalism. The LPQualified and the LPCertified will increase the educational level of those entering the loss prevention profession, as well as build on the skills and knowledge of those already in the industry.
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What are the benefits of becoming certified?

• Demonstrates to both current and prospective employers your desire to learn and further develop industry knowledge
• Designates a level of knowledge and understanding of the core competencies that our industry leaders have identified and acknowledged as critical to excel as a loss prevention professional
• Certification is designed as a means to validate the knowledge level of LP professionals. It helps to promote industry professionalism by demonstrating your level of competency.
• Serves as a valuable resume builder, endorsing your knowledge base and promoting your commitment as a retail professional as well as a qualified loss prevention professional
• Companies are now adding certification as a preferred requirement in their job descriptions
• Most importantly, certification is a means to enhance performance. It expands our knowledge and expertise, confirms our understanding, challenges our perspective, and reinforces industry goals and objectives.
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What is the return on investment for individuals?

• These certification programs will give individuals a better overall understanding of industry terminology, business concepts and skills required to maximize your career growth in loss prevention.
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• A better educated loss prevention professional will perform at a higher level; potentially improving overall acceptance of awareness programs and shrinkage reduction, as well as potentially reducing the chances for adverse litigation.
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• Both certification programs have been developed by over 200 loss prevention professionals from over 75 companies representing all sectors of the retail industry. This included senior level and field level retail loss prevention professionals, as well as select vendor experts with extensive retail loss prevention experience.
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• This program is entirely on-line. Presently, printed copies and a CD of the coursework are not available. The online course is the study guide.
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• Loss prevention has evolved over the years into a comprehensive profession requiring individuals who are truly concerned with success to master these skills. Loss prevention professionals are in the business to provide a value driven service to their customer. Understanding how to add value requires one to comprehend business & leadership concepts.
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• The certification program was developed by a wide variety of retailers specifically so it would apply to most types of retail.
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• One of the primary objectives of any certification program is to develop a universal language which than can be used to measure an individual's level of knowledge. Completing this certification program will give everyone a standard knowledge base for which they can build upon universally. Plus, as mentioned above, LP is not the same as it once was. This certification incorporates the most up to date information needed by today's leaders.
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• The LPQualified and the LPCertified coursework is offered online and is available to everyone who would like to take advantage of the material. The exams, unfortunately are not. Our first goal is to achieve successful implementation in the US first.
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• LPQualified (LPQ) Course material is $495.00
• LPCertified (LPC) Course material is $795.00
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• There is no prior experience in loss prevention needed to take the LPQualified (LPQ). Anyone who h as a desire to enter retail loss prevention as a career from college, military, law enforcement or simply someone who is already in retail, who wants to obtain a comprehensive understanding of retail loss prevention can take the certification course.
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• Passing the LPQ exam
• 3 years of loss prevention experience
• 3 years of business experience and successful completion of the LPQualified exam
• Bachelor Degree and successful completion of the LPQualified exam
• Masters Degree and successful completion of the LPQualified exam
• Masters Degree and successful completion of the LPQualified exam
• PHD and successful completion of the LPQualified exam
• 3 years of law enforcement or military experience and successful completion of the LPQualified exam
• Continued Education Requirements - are pending final approval for the LPC.
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Exams

• You do not have to purchase the LPQ courseware to take the LPQ exam. The LPQ courseware is a study tool designed to aid those who wish to earn their LPQ. In order to receive the LPQualified (LPQ) designation you must pass the LPQ exam. However if you fail the exam, you must purchase the courseware prior to retesting. The same process applies to the LPCertified (LPC) also.
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• If someone fails the LPQualified exam, they will be permitted to retest. If you attempted the exam without purchasing the courseware, you will need to purchase it prior to retesting. The same process applies to the LPCertified (LPC) also.
  • 1st retest has a minimum waiting period of 30 days from the date of the 1st failed test but must complete it within 60 days from the 1st test date
  • 2nd retest has a waiting period of 30 days from the date of the 2nd failed test, but must be completed within 90 days from the date of the 1st retest
  • Total time period to complete all retests is 180 days from the 1st test date
  • Maximum time limit on access to course work - 12 months.
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• The exams, which were developed by loss prevention professionals, are 100 questions in length for the LPQ exam and 200 for the LPC exam.
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• The exam is a proctored exam and is given at hundreds of locations through the United States. Proof of identification is required and the exam is then administered on line.
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• Your results will be based on the number of items that are answered correctly. There is no penalty for guessing.
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• The Loss Prevention Foundation Exam Committee, an industry panel of subject matter experts who are representative of the loss prevention profession and of academia, has established the passing score for the LPQ exam. These experts reviewed each exam question, evaluated the difficulty of the question, and made an assessment as to how a professional with fundamental competence would perform on each question. These assessments were then statistically analyzed to determine the passing score.
• Your results are based on whether you meet or exceed the passing score as determined by the committee.
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• The exam is designed to identify those who have achieved the basic level of knowledge from those who have not. If you pass the examination, you will receive only a score of PASS. No numeric score will be available. If you do not pass the examination, you will be sent your score along with a diagnostic report that shows how well you performed in each of the major categories. The diagnostic information is to assist you in preparation of the next exam attempt.
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• You will receive your results by e-mail approximately three weeks after the conclusion of the administration cycle in which you sat for the exam. Results will NOT be available at the test centers nor will results be provided over the phone or by fax.
• A certification and congratulatory letter will be mailed to you approximately 30 days after you receive your results.
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LPF Membership

• Please go to our enrollment page to register.
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• You can pay with your PayPal account, by credit card, or by personal or company check.
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• You can become a Lifetime member by registering for our membership and choosing the Lifetime membership option and making payment. The cost of a lifetime membership is $495.00.
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• Please select the sign in button on the top of this page. Log in using your current user name and password and then click the Edit my member profile information link and update the information.
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• Please select the sign in button on the top of this page. Log in using your user name and password and then click on the renew my membership link and confirm your information and make payment.
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• Please select the sign in button on the top of this page. Log in using your user name and password and then click on the renew my membership link and confirm your information and make payment.
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• Please use our contact form and request David Phillips, LPC send you a receipt for payment.
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• At your current student membership renewal date, please choose one of the non-student options. Or if you are in the middle of your student membership period and would like for your account to be switched to non-student status please contact David Phillips, LPC via our contact form and specify that you are upgrading your memebership.
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• Please select the sign in button on the top of this page. Log in like usual using your user id and password and I will prompt you as soon as you hit enter that your membership has expired and it will ask you to renew.
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• Go to the Contact Us page and submit a request to be retrieve your member ID.
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• Membership dues are the same for everybody whether you are inside the United States or not.
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• Go to the Contact Us page and submit a request for a membership application and brochure.
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• You can see all prices of the different membership options by viewing ../membership.html#MembershipTypesCost
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• Please select the sign in button on the top of this page. Log in using your user name and password and you should see what kind of member you are and what date you enrolled. Your membership dues will be due either a year or two year depending on type of membership after the day of registration.
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• You can view information on LPF membership and eligibility requirements by going to http://www.losspreventionfoundation.org/membership.html.
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• You can go to the member benefits page or if you have a specific question about member benefits, you can send us an inquiryand a staff member will be happy to answer your question.
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• Membership in your industry’s ONLY industry recognized LP certification organization
• Network professionally with other members
• Add Loss Prevention Foundation Member to your resume
• Access to career center-personal assessments
• Access to educational center-webcasts, professional speaker series, bookstore, whitepapers & articles
• 10% savings discount on certification coursework (only available when paying in full)
• Monthly membership newsletter to stay current on certification issues
• Opportunity to get involved in LPF committees
• Easy way to demonstrate your support for the foundation
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• Full-time students can join and take advantage of all membership services. Benefits include: posting of your resume on the leading job site in the loss prevention industry (available since 2009), access to our nation-wide intern database, access to a database of universities where and when retailers recruit, etc.
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• Contact David Phillips, LPC or Gene Smith and submit a request for information about supporting the LPF through advertising on our website.
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Employment

• The LPF can provide you many networking opportunities. By joining the LPF and putting your membership on your resume, it represents your commitment to expanding your professional knowledge set you are going to offer your employer.
• The LPF highly recommends LP Jobs.com, a professional 24/7 online LP "job fair".
• The LPF has a professional networking presence on LinkedIn.

Students

• Yes, frequently our LPF partner companies offer scholarships for their employees and in some cases offer competitive scholarships to students at our academic partner schools.
• It pays to keep our web site in your favorites, because periodically, our partners offer scholarships to students (and non-students) who attend our various conferences and events.
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