IRTA offers a Certified Trade Broker (CTB) for individuals who are seeking to advance their barter broker skills and knowledge in the industry.  IRTA also offers a certified exchange program for those exchanges that desire to distinguish themselves as a exemplary barter exchange that prectices the highest levels of financial conduct in the industry. 

CTB Program

Professionals who earn Certified Trade Broker (CTB) status have demonstrated a level of competence and knowledge through their years of industry experience and satisfactory performance on a certifying exam.

Certified Trade Brokers are recognized as having a solid background in accounting, trade dollar economics, ethics, trading, and barter marketing techniques.

In addition to the enhanced credibility that CTB status confers on designees, certified trade brokers earn internationally-recognized credentials, the potential for career advancement, recognition at industry events, as well as the satisfaction of completing a comprehensive certification process.

CTB Testing

Exchange employees are eligible to apply for CTB testing if they have a bachelor’s degree or two years experience working for a trade organization. Before taking the exam, brokers may attend a three-hour CTB training course to prepare, which is held annually at the IRTA Barter Congress conference prior to the exam.

Retesting is permitted if CTB status is not earned on the first attempt. In some instances, the CTB test will be administered at other venues and conferences.

The cost to take the exam is US$100 for IRTA members and US$200 for non-members.

Please click here for an application.

IRTA Certified Member Program

IRTA Certified members are exchanges or barter companies who choose to provide additional verification to IRTA regarding their impeccable level of conduct, service and commitment to ethics. Not only do Certified Exchanges meet the already prestigious regular IRTA Membership criteria, they also meet additional criteria regarding their track record as a successful exchange and voluntarily provide information regarding their compliant operations and how they protect their clearing system from the negative effects of uncontrolled deficit spending.

To qualify as an IRTA Certified Trade Exchange:

• The exchange must be a Regular Member of IRTA for 12 months before being able to apply.

• The exchange must also meet Regular IRTA Member renewal requirements.

• The exchange must have at least 5 years of successful ownership of an exchange network. This means no ethics complaints on file with IRTA (that were found to be valid), no record of bankruptcy, etc.

To become an IRTA Certified Trade Exchange:

• If you are an exchange operating in the United States, you must provide supporting evidence (via a letter from qualified CPA or local tax professional) that you have filed 1099B’s on time for the prior tax year.

• You must provide a copy of your exchange membership agreement along with a brief explanation of how your membership agreement handles deficits in your exchange system. In other words, what assurances/protection do you have for ensuring the value of the trade credit you issue.

To maintain membership as an IRTA Certified Trade Exchange

• The above requirements must be provided every year to renew membership as an IRTA Certified Trade Exchange.