Program Overview
Why Earn the CGTE?
The Certified Government Travel Executive (CGTE) program is designed for the government travel professional looking to upgrade their career.
Government travel consists of many travel and financial policies, factors influencing industry and economy, and a collection of streamlined processes that now co-exist within various electronic travel systems (ETSs). It is not surprising that each day travel becomes an increasingly more complex function to manage. The travel manager helps to navigate this difficult landscape and it is for them that CGTE has been created.
The CGTE program is aimed at helping government travel professionals meet the demands that come with developing and managing a multi-faceted travel program. Attendees are tested on a wide range of topics that take their experiences thus far and expand on them. The knowledge and skill sets gained from completing the CGTE program will help to increase overall productivity and help build a strong, successful government travel manager.
What Does the Program Offer?
The program looks at the impact technology has had on travel management and how it can work to the advantage of a travel program. One of the most important aspects of managing a travel program is the gathering of information and the CGTE program helps show the travel manager where to look. Armed with this information, the knowledge and the skill sets gained by completing the CGTE program, the travel manager will be better able to:
- manage the financial aspects of a travel program
- adapt to the needs of your travelers
- communicate up and down within your organization
- work towards meeting the goals outlined by your Department or Agency.
It is also vital that a travel manager knows how best to safeguard and use this information, which is why CGTE addresses issues of safety, security and federal ethics. The government travel landscape can be a difficult one, but CGTE is here to help lead the way.
Pre-Qualifications
The CGTE program is for those government travel professionals with at least 2 years of experience working in the government travel sector. For those who do not meet this qualification, GTG will accept proof of prior education or training to satisfy this requirement. New CGTE program participants (those who have not taken a Core Week class) must complete a CGTE application form to be admitted into the program.
The Program
To complete the CGTE program, participants must first take Core Week 1, followed by Core Week 2. In addition to Core Week 1 and Core Week 2, three one-day elective classes are required to complete certification. These one-day classes are scheduled in various cities across the US, about ten times a year. At least two elective courses are placed on the Saturday and Sunday prior to each NBTA Annual International Convention & Exposition and the Saturday and Sunday prior to the National Travel Forum. These "Convention" and “NTF” electives provide a convenient way to start or complete elective requirements. CGTE candidates may begin their quest for designation with electives up to one year prior to starting Core Week 1.
Exams
Proficiency will be tested by a comprehensive examination at the end of each Core Week session. There is a $100 exam fee included in the cost of your registration for Core Week 1 and Core Week 2. Elective courses do not requiring testing, but candidates must attend each elective for the full day. Early departure from an elective may result in the class not counting toward certification requirements.
Post-Certification
After attaining the CGTE designation, Certified Government Travel Executives are required to take one elective class per calendar year to remain certified.
Additional Information
CGTE GTG members who lose their jobs or have severe economic circumstances or health reasons can apply to have the one year CEU elective requirement waived. This is a one-time waiver.
All CGTE holders who leave the industry but wish to maintain their credentials must pay an annual subscription fee of $60.00 and take one CEU elective per year.
Persons who have earned their CGTE but have not maintained the elective requirements for up to two years may reestablish their active credentials by taking two electives in a calendar year.
Persons who have earned their CGTE but have not maintained their elective requirements for more than two years must begin again.