About CPYB
In January 2000, the Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA) held a series of focus groups at its annual conference to discuss developing an industry-wide professional yacht broker certification program. In the spring of that year, the YBAA Professional Development Committee kicked off the certification program design with two goals:
- Raise the professional image of yacht brokers with the boating public, and
- Set an appropriate standard for professional behavior.
Two years later, the Certified Professional Yacht Broker (CPYB) program was unveiled and six prominent yacht broker associations joined YBAA as Partner Associations to promote and manage this program in collaborative alignment. Since then, hundreds of qualified yacht broker professionals have earned their designation.
Six Reasons to become a CPYB
Pathway to Certification
Partner Associations
These Partner Associations belong to the governing consortium for the CPYB Certification program:
British Columbia Yacht Brokers Association (BCYBA)
Boating Ontario
California Yacht Brokers Association (CYBA)
International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA)
Northwest Yacht Brokers Association (NYBA)
Yacht Brokers Association of America (YBAA)
CPYB Leadership
Earning CPYB Certification
CPYB Certification is the mark of excellence for yacht sales professionals throughout North America. CPYB brokers have met professional qualifications and have successfully passed a three-hour examination, testing their skills and knowledge as yacht sales professionals. If you are committed to professionalism and have what it takes, we invite you to apply.
Requirements:
All applicants must comply with the following eight requirements in order to be eligible to sit for the CPYB exam.
The applicant must, and where appropriate, the brokerage firm with whom the applicant is currently employed, meet or agree to comply with the following:
- The applicant must provide proof that they have worked for at least 2 years during the past 10 years as a full-time yacht broker and that they are currently employed as a full-time yacht broker and has been for the past 1 year.
- The applicant has not been convicted of a felony offense or equivalent within the previous seven years.
- The brokerage firm/broker of record maintains a dedicated escrow/trust account that is used for all client funds in trust.
- The brokerage firm/applicant currently holds all necessary licenses required by all applicable governmental entities.
- All client payments are made payable to the brokerage firm/broker of record and not to individual brokers.
- All client transactions are supported by fully executed, contractually sound written agreements, affording protection to both the buyer and seller.
- All business conducted by the applicant complies in full with the CPYB Code of Ethics.
- The applicant has not been found in violation of any other yacht broker association's Code of Ethics (of which they are a member) within the previous seven years.
- Three references are required for the application: two must be CPYB-certified individuals who can attest to the quality of your work. One will be the Principal of the brokerage firm you work under who can attest to your years of experience.
Application Fee: The non-refundable $325 fee includes the exam fee and up to two retakes. On the application, you will have the option to order The Guide, which is a recommended resource for exam preparation.
About the CPYB Exam
Exam Details
Candidates who pass the CPYB certification exam have demonstrated their knowledge on a broad range of topics that indicate their comprehensive knowledge of the industry.
Exam questions are written by volunteer experts based on industry best practices, requirements, laws, and regulations. The Principal Knowledge Categories and Topics serve as a blueprint for developing the content of the exam.
CPYB Testing: Assessment Registration Form
The CPYB assessment includes one module assessment for each of the five Principal Knowledge Categories/Topics below. You must pass all five assessments, with an 80% or higher, within 30 days of receiving your credentials.
Principal Knowledge Categories
There are five principal knowledge categories.
Principal Knowledge Topics
Candidates should have sufficient knowledge related to each of these topics:
- US, State, and Local Laws
- International Law
- US Federal Regulations
- Design Technical Knowledge
- Yacht Construction Materials
- Marine Systems
- Standards and Classifications
- Marine Navigation and Terminology
- Listing Broker Responsibilities
- Selling Broker Responsibilities
- Fiduciary Responsibilities
- Contacts and Documents
- Closing Process
- Ethics
Recommended Preparation
Resources are available to Candidates for exam preparation. Purchase The Guide in print or online module format - to which you'll have four-months access; or participate real-time in a virtual Exam Prep session. A number of Exam Prep session recordings are also available to you on-demand.
Exam Requirements
The candidate should be in a location free from distractions with access to a stable internet connection.
Candidates can access their assessments for 30-days after receiving their credentials. While this is a self-paced option, the candidate will have two attempts to pass each of the five assessments with an 80% or higher.
Scoring and Results
Pass or fail results are provided to you immediately after completing the assessment. You will have the option to download your certificate of completion.
Please Note: New CPYB formal certificate reports are processed and sent weekly.
Upcoming Exam Prep Dates
Exam Study Sessions
The CPYB offers Exam Study Sessions quarterly. This is an opportunity for Candidates to review relevant material or for current CPYB's to earn CE credits. Register for sessions at the links below!