CSP Overview 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What category of evidence must CSP applicants submit to satisfy the 'client diversity' requirement?
- Speaking fees earned from multiple different clients and industries (Correct answer)
- A single long-term contract with one major corporation
- Academic transcripts showing breadth of knowledge
- Media appearances across different TV networks
Correct answer: Speaking fees earned from multiple different clients and industries
Client diversity means demonstrating paid engagements across a variety of clients and sectors, not reliance on a single repeat client.
Question 2: What is the Global Speaking Fellowship (GSF), in relation to the CSP?
- An international credential for CSP holders who speak in multiple countries (Correct answer)
- A mentorship program for first-year NSA members
- A regional chapter of NSA with looser requirements
- A competing credential from a different association
Correct answer: An international credential for CSP holders who speak in multiple countries
The GSF is an elite international credential available only to existing CSP holders who demonstrate a global speaking career.
Question 3: Which best describes the role of testimonials and evaluations in the CSP application?
- They provide documented proof of audience and client satisfaction (Correct answer)
- They substitute for the income requirement if fees are not available
- They are optional and not reviewed by the credentialing committee
- They are only required from Fortune 500 company contacts
Correct answer: They provide documented proof of audience and client satisfaction
Client evaluations and testimonials are required documentation that substantiate the applicant's professional impact and client satisfaction.
Question 4: When was the CSP designation first established?
- 1980 (Correct answer)
- 1995
- 2001
- 1969
Correct answer: 1980
The CSP was established in 1980 by the National Speakers Association to provide a professional benchmark for the speaking industry.
Question 5: A speaker who earns most of their income from training programs but also delivers keynote speeches — how does the CSP treat this income mix?
- Only income from platform speaking engagements typically counts toward the CSP fee thresholds (Correct answer)
- All training and keynote income is treated identically
- Training income is weighted double compared to keynote income
- Income from training programs automatically disqualifies the applicant
Correct answer: Only income from platform speaking engagements typically counts toward the CSP fee thresholds
CSP criteria focus on income specifically from professional platform speaking engagements, so applicants must parse which revenue streams qualify.
Question 6: How does earning the CSP typically affect a professional speaker's marketability?
- It differentiates them in a crowded market and can justify higher speaking fees (Correct answer)
- It limits the types of events they are eligible to speak at
- It requires them to speak only at NSA-affiliated events
- It has no measurable effect on booking rates or fees
Correct answer: It differentiates them in a crowded market and can justify higher speaking fees
The CSP designation signals elite credibility, which meeting planners value and which often supports higher speaking fees and more bookings.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a core pillar of CSP eligibility?
- Holding a master's degree in communications (Correct answer)
- Minimum number of paid engagements
- Minimum fee income from speaking
- Documented client satisfaction
Correct answer: Holding a master's degree in communications
Academic degrees are not a CSP requirement; the credential is based on professional performance metrics, not formal education.
CSP Overview 3
What category of evidence must CSP applicants submit to satisfy the 'client diversity' requirement?