60
Questions
1-2 Hours
TYPICAL TIME
70%
To Pass
3 Years
Validity
What CSRP Demonstrates
ACSP offers specialized industry certification via the Commercial Space Regulatory Professional (CSRP) examination. The CSRP credential certifies that the holder has a working introductory understanding of the U.S. legal, regulatory, and commercial framework governing the commercial space industry. Upon completion of the exam with a grade of at least 70%, you will be awarded the CSRP credential and presented with an official credential certificate.
CSRP is a foundational credential. It is not a practice authorization, nor does it establish that the holder is qualified to take independent responsibility for export licensing, launch licensing, contract negotiation, classified facility administration or any other regulated function.
How the Exam Works
The CSRP examination is composed of 60 questions, primarily multiple choice with a small number of True/False and select-all-that-apply questions. Candidates have up to four hours to complete the exam although it is designed to be completed in 1 to 2 hours. The generous outer limit is provided to accommodate candidates who prefer a slower pace or want to consult source materials.
This is an open-book exam. You may consult statutes, regulations, agency policy guidance, and other source materials during the examination. Questions are written to test your ability to identify and apply the correct authority, not rote memorization. You may not, however, use another person as a resource.
What the Exam Tests
The exam draws from seven content categories spanning the U.S. commercial-space regulatory landscape.
Here's what each one covers:
General Knowledge
The cross-cutting foundation before any specialty: how the FAA, FCC, and NOAA share jurisdiction over a single mission, the compliance mindset, and the systems vocabulary — bus vs. payload, orbital regimes, frequency bands, mission lifecycle — needed to spot which rules apply.
Launch Licensing
FAA Office of Commercial Space Transportation licensing under the Commercial Space Launch Act: Part 450 (launch and reentry) and Part 420 (launch sites), financial responsibility and Maximum Probable Loss, payload reviews, mishap response, and environmental review.
Export Controls
The two U.S. export-control regimes, ITAR (State/DDTC) and EAR (Commerce/BIS), and how to tell them apart: deemed exports, the public-domain and fundamental-research carve-outs, USML categories, technical assistance agreements, and foreign-national hiring.
Government Contracting
How the federal government buys: the FAR framework and contract types, Other Transaction (OT) authority, SBIR, bid protests, and intellectual-property rights, plus a cybersecurity sub-domain for federal contractors.
Telecommunications
The FCC and ITU frameworks for commercial satellite communications: spectrum management and frequency allocations, Part 25 space-station licensing (including streamlined smallsat licensing), ITU coordination, and FCC orbital-debris rules.
Remote Sensing
NOAA's commercial remote-sensing licensing under the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act and 15 CFR Part 960: the three-tier classification system, foreign-customer rules, annual reporting, and pre-application engagement with NOAA's CRSRA office.
FOCI / Classified Work
The National Industrial Security Program for classified contractors: facility and personnel clearances, the NISPOM and DCSA oversight, Foreign Ownership, Control, or Influence (FOCI) and its mitigation methods, and how FOCI differs from CFIUS review.
Credential Validity
The CSRP credential is valid for three years from the date of issuance. Renewal requires successful completion of the then-current CSRP examination — re-examination ensures that renewed credential holders demonstrate familiarity with the current regulatory environment, which may evolve materially over a three-year cycle.
How to Prepare
Members can prepare with our CSRP Study Resources — expert video sessions and reference materials organized by exam category. We also recommend the Space Regulatory Bootcamp, an in-depth program covering the regulatory landscape; it isn't required, and the next session will be announced soon.
Retakes and Support
If you do not pass on your first attempt, you may retake the exam after a one-week waiting period. The retake registration fee is waived.
To schedule a retake, ask a question about the exam, or report a technical issue during your session, email info@acsp.space and we'll help.