Fellow of Information Privacy
What is a Fellow of Information Privacy?
The Fellow of Information Privacy (FIP) is a designation conferred by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) to individuals who exhibit advanced knowledge of privacy and data protection topics.
Receiving the FIP designation is a career milestone for privacy practitioners that demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of privacy laws, privacy program management, and data protection practices.
You can search for current holders of the FIP in IAPP's Member Directory.
What Are the Requirements to Apply?
Unlike IAPP certifications, the FIP designation does not require passing a certification exam. However, you will need to meet various requirements:
- Earn a CIPP certification (CIPP/US, CIPP/E, CIPP/C, or CIPP/A)
- Earn a CIPT or CIPM certification
- Demonstrate 3 years of professional privacy experience (holding a security certification like the CISSP or Security+ reduces this by 1 year)
- Specify the contact information of 3 peer referrals
- Write a personal statement describing your privacy expertise
After satisfying all the above requirements, submit your FIP application!
How Much Does the FIP Cost?
Nothing! Currently, there is no additional cost to apply for your FIP designation.
Should You Apply for the FIP?
If you meet the requirements and since there is no cost to apply, why not?
The direct value of the FIP designation may be hard to quantify. However, it's likely worth the 30 minutes to write your personal statement, collect peer referrals, and submit your application—assuming you hold the required IAPP certifications.
Recruiters and hiring managers frequently include IAPP certifications as part of job descriptions and hiring criteria. It's reasonable to infer recruiters and hiring managers may also filter by the FIP designation as well.
The FIP also demonstrates that you at least have 2-3 years of professional experience in privacy and data protection. This sends a powerful signal to potential employers.
Will the FIP get you a job on its own? Probably not.
Is it worth applying for the FIP if you meet the requirements? Why not?
Does the FIP Expire?
Does the FIP designation ever expire and do you need to reapply?
Thankfully, the answer to these questions is no.
The FIP designation is a lifetime recognition and is valid as long as you maintain the required IAPP certifications. No additional Continuing Privacy Education (CPE) credits are required to maintain the FIP itself.
Wondering how to maintain your other IAPP certifications? Check out our guide.
Wrapping Up
I sincerely hope this post was accessible, useful, and practical for you. If you have any feedback on this post, please let me know. Cheers.
