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Small Business Counselors Certification
Take the online competency exam.

Small Business Counselors Certification

The Small Business Jobs Act of 2010 mandated the lesser or 5 total or 10 percent of SBDC counselors in each network be certified in international trade. SBA, the ASBDC International Interest Section, and the International Trade Administration created this Intermediate Level certification to help satisfy minimal requirements.

The Intermediate Test includes 75 questions covering a variety of categories:

  • Export Compliance
  • Export Marketing and Sales
  • Export Financing & Payment Methods
  • Global Logistics
  • Export Readiness and Resources
  • Trade Counseling Best Practices

To take the exam you will need to request a link to the certification and passcode, please email CounselorCertification@sba.gov. You will have 70 minutes to complete the exam, and it must be completed in one sitting. You will not be able to start and come back to it later.

To pass the Intermediate Exam you will need to answer 75 percent or more of the questions correctly. If you receive a passing score, you will be able to download and print a certificate. Please contact CounselorCertification@sba.gov if you are unable to access the certificate.

Please note:

  • This Intermediate exam is offered to SBA and TPCC affiliated counselors only. Please clearly indicate your affiliation when requesting a passcode.  
  • You are on the Honor System for taking this exam as it is not proctored. This is not meant to be an open book so please do not consult any resource material while taking the test.  
  • If you do not receive a passing grade, you will be required to wait two weeks before retaking the exam. Requests to re-take the exam should be sent to CertifiedCounselors@sba.gov.

For small business counselors affiliated with a Small Business Development Center (SBDC), successful completion of the Intermediate level exam meets the export and trade counselor certification requirement set forth in the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010.

To get more information about international trade certification for SBA-affiliated small business counselors, please contact your SBDC Lead Center.

For advanced level international trade certification, counselors may want to consider the Nasbite CGBP | Certified Global Business Professional credential.