Privacy Policy

Your privacy is critical to us. This policy outlines how the American Academy of Professional Studies (AAPS) collects, uses, and protects your personal data.

Last Updated: October 24, 2023

1. Information We Collect

AAPS collects data necessary for processing certification applications, managing memberships, and maintaining the integrity of our public register. This includes:

Identity Data: First name, last name, and professional background.
Contact Data: Email address and location (city/country). We do not collect phone numbers.
Assessment Data: Exam results, eligibility evidence, and certification status.
Transaction Data: Details of payments for application fees and memberships (processed securely via third-party gateways; we do not store full credit card numbers).

2. How We Use Your Information

We process your data strictly for the following purposes:

To process and evaluate professional certification applications.
To issue digital credentials and manage the secure verification process.
To manage membership accounts and deliver associated benefits.
To communicate essential updates regarding policies, certifications, and account status.

3. AAPS Public Register & Data Minimization

Transparency and trust are the foundations of AAPS certifications. To allow employers and third parties to verify credentials, AAPS maintains a publicly searchable Public Register.

What We Publish

By applying for an AAPS certification, you explicitly consent to the publication of the following minimum data set in our Public Register:

Credential ID
Holder's First and Last Name
Certification Name
Issue Date and Current Status (Active, Expired, Revoked)

What We Do Not Publish: We never publish your email address, physical address, date of birth, or contact numbers. Only the data required for verification is made public.

4. Sharing Data with Education and Learning Centers (ELCs)

If you attend a preparatory program through an authorized ELC, AAPS shares your certification status and final assessment results with that specific ELC for record-keeping purposes. AAPS does not share your payment details with ELCs. The ELC is responsible for the privacy of the attendance data they collect directly from you.

5. Data Retention

AAPS retains your certification and verification records indefinitely to ensure the historical integrity of credentials and to allow for lifelong verification. Application data for unsuccessful candidates is retained for a period of 2 years, after which it is securely destroyed.

6. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures (TOMs) to protect your personal data against unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. Access to your data is strictly limited to authorized AAPS personnel.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location (e.g., under GDPR or CCPA), you may have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Right to Access

You can request a copy of the personal data we hold about you.

Right to Rectification

You can request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data, such as a misspelled name on your credential.

Right to Object

You can object to the processing of your data for specific direct marketing purposes (though verification data processing is exempt).

Right to Complain

You have the right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority if you believe our data practices violate your rights.

Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of your data protection rights, or if you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact our compliance team securely via email.

Email Compliance Team