Recertification

CEM Recertification Policy

The CEM recertification policy states that all CEMs are required to earn 15 credit hours as well as pay a renewal fee, every three years. Credit hours may be earned through a combination of three categories. Below is a summary of the categories in which a CEM can apply credit hours towards recertification. All credit hours may be applied from professional continuing education; a combination of professional continuing education and leadership activities; or all from formal education.

1. Professional Continuing Education

Educational credit hours are based on contact hours, which are defined as the number of clock hours spent in direct participation in a structured educational format. One contact hour is equivalent to one credit hour (non-educational time spent networking, on breaks, registration, does not qualify). Education must be industry-related and directly relate to one of the twelve CEM Learning Program courses. Education does not need to be pre-approved. All education must occur during three-year recertification period. All fifteen (15) credit hours may be obtained from this category.

Examples include:

Attend or teach a CEM Learning Program course (online or on-location) – 5 credits each
IAEE education programs including Expo! Expo! sessions, webinars, chapter educational programs – 1 contact hour = 1 credit hour
Speaker at an exhibition or events industry event – 1 contact hour = 1 credit hour
Women’s Leadership Forum – 6 credits | Krakoff Leadership Institute – 12 credits
Company sponsored continuing education or training – 1 contact hour = 1 credit hour
Allied association education programs (MPI, ASAE, PCMA) – 1 contact hour = 1 credit hour

2. Leadership Activities

Up to three (3) of the required fifteen (15) credit hours may be earned by participating in exhibitions and events industry leadership activities during three-year recertification period.

Activities include:

Active participation OR leadership role on an industry or IAEE board, committee, task force or chapter (receive 1 credit per term)
Published author (1 credit per article)
Proctor a CEM exam (1 credit per exam)

3. Formal Education

Earn a bachelor’s degree or advanced degree within three-year recertification period. All required fifteen (15) hours may come from this category.

Recertification and Renewal Fees

Renewal fee is $150 USD if submitted by 15 October the year certification is up for renewal; $200 USD if submitted by 31 December year certification is up for renewal. Applications received after 31 December will be assessed a $150 USD lapse fee. Fees are subject to change without notice and are nonrefundable.

In Case of Audit

All hours/credits are subject to verification by the CEM Commission or IAEE staff through the audit process. An IAEE staff member will contact the CEM if documentation is needed. Please keep documentation for six months after recertification application has been approved in case CEM is selected for an audit.

Documentation requirement in case of audit:

On-site program, handouts, show guide
Receipt for payment
Copy of badge from the course/program
Certificate of completion verifying hours, date and subject matter
Copy of official transcript/diploma showing semester credit earned, course title and completion date.
Copy of proctor form
Copy of session description/program with speaker name from show guide
Letter verifying participation on board, committee, task force including time-served

Submitting Recertification Credits

All CEMs will now record their recertification credit hours through the IAEE Member Dashboard. We recommend recording your activities they are completed:

To access the IAEE Member Dashboard:

Go to https://members.iaee.com
Enter your email address
Enter your password (first name+last name)
Click “My Certifications/Recertification” under the “Certifications” section.
Click on “Certified in Exhibition Management Renewal”
Click “Add CEM Renewal Credits”

Adding Your Credits

Course/Credit Type – choose from CEM Activity for Credit, CEM Credits for Renewal or CEM Formal Education Credit.
- CEM Activity for Credit – credits earned from the “Leadership Activities” category below
- CEM Credits for Renewal – credits earned from the “Professional Continuing Education” category below
- CEM Formal Education – credits earned from the “Formal Education” category below
Education Institution or Host Organization – Who is delivering the education?
Date Earned On – Date attended
Course/Event Description – Description of the program
Hours earned – # of credit hours earned
Identify How Course/Program Related to CEM Blueprint

When you have earned the required 15 credit hours, you may pay online.

Any questions regarding what qualifies for CEM recertification credit may be directed to cem@iaee.com.