CEM - Certified Energy Manager

 
The Certified Energy Manager® (CEM®)
Program for Professional Certification
 

CEM Utilized Around the World
&
 Recognized Standard of Professional Achievement

(click here to see what companies and government agencies are requiring a CEM).


 

 

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ATTENTION CEMs!
Order your official

CEM Stamp
 

When you've earned the right to put the initials "CEM" behind your name, you've distinguished yourself among energy management professionals. Simply put, the designation CEM, which stands for Certified Energy Manager®, recognizes individuals who have demonstrated high levels of experience, competence, proficiency, and ethical fitness in the energy management profession. By attaining the status of CEM, you will be joining an elite group of 10,000 professionals serving industry, business and government throughout the U.S. and in 25 countries abroad. These high-achieving individuals comprise a "Who's Who" in the energy management field.  The designation "Certified Energy Manager" is a registered trademark with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
 

 

The Mark of an Energy Professional
Since its inception in 1981, the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) credential has become widely accepted and used as a measure of professional accomplishment within the energy management field.  It has gained industry-wide use as the standard for qualifying energy professionals both in the United States and abroad. It is recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Office of Federal Energy Management Programs (FEMP), and the U.S. Agency for International Development, as well as by numerous state energy offices, major utilities, corporations and energy service companies.

 

Objectives

  • To raise the professional standards of those engaged in energy management
  • To improve the practice of energy management by encouraging energy managers in a continuing program of professional development
  • To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of energy management related disciplines and laws governing and affecting energy managers through completing an examination and fulfilling prescribed standards of performance and conduct
  • To award special recognition to those energy managers who have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical fitness for energy management

 

Eligibility
The prerequisites to qualify for the certification process have been designed to take into account the possible diversity of education and practical experience an individual may have. However each CEM candidate must meet one of the following criteria:

 

 

EDUCATION & JOB EXPERIENCE

4-year degree in  
engineering or architecture                                                  3+ years of experience in
OR                                                            AND                    energy engineering 
Professional Engineer (P.E.)                                                or energy management
or Registered Architect (R.A.)

4-year degree in environmental                                              4+ years of experience in
science, physics or                                     AND                    energy engineering
earth science                                                                          or energy management      

4-year degree in business                                                    5+ years of experience in
(or related field)                                           AND                 energy engineering 
                                                                                             or energy management      

2-year energy management                                                  6+ years of experience in
associate's degree                                      AND                  energy engineering 
                                                                                              or energy management      

2-year technical                                                                     8+ years of experience in
associate's degree                                      AND                  energy engineering
                                                                                              or energy management   
                                                                                              10+ years of experience in
NONE                                                                                    energy engineering 
                                                                                              or energy management       

*If you don't yet meet the education or experience eligibility requirements for the CEM, you may be interested in pursuing our Energy Manager in Training (EMITTM)
certification.

 

 

(Note: Letters of reference and verification of employment must be submitted.)

Examination and Training Requirement
All CEM candidates must attend one of AEE's preparatory CEM training seminars, and complete and pass a four-hour written open-book exam, proctored by an approved exam administrator. (Information on seminar training options is provided below.)


Beginning May 1, 2012, all CEM candidates taking the exam in the United States (only) will take the revised format CEM Certification Exam. The new format exam will contain the same number of questions as previous versions, 130, and the exam duration will remain 4 hours. The new exam will not include optional sections, as in the past; rather, the exam will include questions from all 17 sections of the CEM Body of Knowledge.

An intensive jobs task analysis was performed for the CEM and a weighted percentage of topics was developed for the CEM Body of Knowledge. Although a specific number of exam questions for each topic will not be provided, as it may change, the number of questions on the exam will align with the content percentages listed in the following CEM Body of Knowledge.

 

Content/Questions Percent

 

Min

Max

CODES AND STANDARDS

4%

6%

ENERGY ACCOUNTING AND ECONOMICS

11%

14%

ENERGY AUDITS AND INSTRUMENTATION

11%

15%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS

5%

7%

HVAC SYSTEMS

5%

7%

MOTORS AND DRIVES

5%

6%

INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS

4%

6%

BUILDING ENVELOPE

4%

5%

CHP SYSTEMS and RENEWABLE ENERGY

4%

5%

FUEL SUPPLY AND PRICING

4%

5%

BUILDING AUTOMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEMS

4%

6%

HIGH PERFORMANCE BUILDINGS

4%

5%

THERMAL ENERGY STORAGE SYSTEMS

3%

4%

LIGHTING SYSTEMS

5%

7%

BOILER AND STEAM SYSTEMS

4%

6%

MAINTENANCE AND COMMISSIONING

4%

6%

ENERGY SAVINGS PERFORMANCE CONTRACTING and MEASUREMENT AND VERIFICATION

4%

5%

 
 
Basic Skills Required for AEE CEM Seminars

Self Study Seminar Workbooks
The AEE CEM preparatory training seminars assumes basic problem-solving skills, including quick and accurate use of a hand calculator, ability to use basic algebra, and ability to set up problem solution expressions and calculations from a written problem statement. Those needing a refresher program in these skills may wish to participate in the Basics of Energy Management self-study seminar prior to taking this seminar. Those needing additional preparation for the economic analysis portion of the CEM exam may wish to participate in the Economic Analysis Review for the CEM Exam self-study seminar.
 
Informational Videos
In addition, please take a look at these informative videos. Students are strongly encouraged to review the agenda and prepare for the class.  The links below are free webinars that will help students review concepts related to the "time value of money" as well as "financing."  It is encouraged to review this material prior to the course.
Financing for Engineers    Net Present Value
   

 

Fees 
Fees for the CEM certification process are as follows:

  • Certification Application and Examination:
    • $300 if the exam is taken in conjunction with AEE's 5-day live CEM training seminar 
    • $400 if the exam is taken at an ACT remote testing center following completion of AEE's realtime online CEM training seminar
  • Live Seminar Option:
    • 5-Day Comprehensive CEM Training Seminar: $1,695 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,895 for non-AEE members
    • 2-Day Fast Track CEM Training Seminar: $1,150 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,250 for non-AEE members
    • 4-Day CEM Training Seminar for Government Involved Energy Professionals: $1,595 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,795 for non-AEE members
  • Realtime Online Seminar Option:
    • Fast Track CEM Training Seminar: $995 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,095 for non-AEE members
  • Certification Renewal:
    • $300 every three years   

The application fee must be paid at the time the CEM application is submitted. This fee covers both the application process and the examination. It does not include the cost of the required preparatory seminar programs offered in advance of each exam. Also note that this fee is in addition to the cost of any seminar program for which the candidate may choose to register.

How to Apply for CEM Certification

CEM examinations are scheduled in conjunction with AEE's CEM required preparatory seminar programs. Please choose which application below applies to you for either the AEE Scheduled Testing Site or the ACT Testing Center. If you are taking the Online Fast Track CEM Preparatory Course you may now choose to take the exam at one of ACT testing centers around the country.

AEE Live Seminar and CEM Exam
 
AEE Online Realtime Seminar and Remote Testing Centers
(pdf document)

 
Certification fee $300
(pdf document)

Certification fee $400

Comprehensive 5-Day Training
Program for Energy Managers

5-day seminar
exam 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 pm on final day of seminar

Dates and Locations of seminar and testing

or

Fast Track CEM Preparatory Course for Energy Managers
2 day seminar / exam is held from
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on morning of day 3

Dates and Locations of seminar and testing

or

CEM Training Course for Government Involved Energy Professionals
4 day seminar / exam is held on Friday Following Seminar: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Dates and Locations of seminar and testing

Fast Track CEM Preparatory Course for Energy Managers - Online Seminar

Dates of online seminar

ACT Testing Center Locations

The application must be submitted to the AEE Certification Department for approval. AEE will mail a letter to the candidate informing them of the approval and status of their application. ACT Testing Center contacts the applicant directly to arrange the testing location, explain the testing procedures and ID required, and provide a testing center password. A two business day notice is required by the ACT facility to reschedule.  If you do not for any reason give this notice, you will be required to pay the center fee of $68 before you can reschedule.

Please do not contact the ACT Testing Center for any information on your certification status.

The application is not to be submitted online, but must be printed, completed and mailed/faxed to AEE Headquarters:

Attn: CEM Department
Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
4025 Pleasantdale Road, Suite 420
Atlanta, GA 30340-4264

Or fax ATTN: Helen Johnson 770-447-4354
(All CEM documentation may be either mailed or faxed)

Your completed application (4 page application, 2 professional references, employment verification and/or client verification and college transcripts) must be received by the Certification Administrator at least 4 weeks prior to the date of the examination for which you wish to sit.

If all of your supporting documentation is not received prior to your test date, it will not preclude you from sitting for the exam.

CEM News:
Other Pre-CEM Training Option

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UC Davis University Extension (UCDE) to advance the knowledge and professionalism in the field of energy management. As an adjunct to the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and Business Energy Professional (BEP program and , the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is pleased to be an official sponsor of the U.C. Davis University Energy Resource Management Certificate program. This initiative aims at enhancing student's involvement and increases their role in the growing energy management discipline. The course will serve as a solid foundation for students to move towards obtaining their CEM or BEP Certification. For more information on the U.C. Davis certificate program CLICK HERE. UC Davis Extension is the professional and continuing education branch of UC Davis and is a link to the many resources students can only get from the University of California.

New! CEM Practice Exam
Now Available

The CEM Practice Test was developed by AEE to help candidates prepare for their high-stakes test, understand their strengths and weaknesses across pertinent CEM domains, and reduce test anxiety. The practice test simulates the certification test, contains a four hour time limit, and covers seventeen sections (three mandatory, eight of the remaining fourteen optional) SEE DETAILS

Features and Benefits:

• Accessible anywhere, anytime via the internet

• Content developed by the Association of Energy Engineers

• Test of comparable length and content to that found on the actual proctored exam

• Immediate score report and feedback on all test domains to highlight specific strengths and weaknesses

Please Note:
This is only a practice exam and the results are unofficial. You must complete the official CEM exam in order to become certified.

CEM Department
770-447-5083 x. 218 or
helen@aeecenter.org

  • For General Information on CEM Process or Exam
  • For CEM Application Status or Renewal

Please leave your name (spell difficult names), phone number, e-mail address and outline what you need.  A staff member will get back to you as soon as possible.

(Please allow 48 Hours for a Response)


 

For Seminar Registration & Questions about CEM Training Seminars:

Valerie Oviatt
770-925-9633 or Valerie@aeecenter.org

 

Recommended Texts for CEM Exam Preparation:

 


International Certification Training
Dates and Locations


CEM SUBGROUP

 
 

Please note the following:

  • Registering for a preparatory live or online seminar does not automatically register you to take the CEM exam. You must submit your certification application separately (see information above).
  • Fees shown for seminars do not include certification application/exam fee.
  • For the 2-day preparatory course, the exam is held at the seminar site on the morning of day 3 from 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
  • For the 5-day course, the exam is administered from 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. on the last day of the seminar.

Maintaining Certification

For information on maintaining your certification, please go to our certification renewals website. 

For Additional Information About CEM Certification...

If you have any questions about CEM certification, please contact:

Helen Johnson, CEM Certification Director
Association of Energy Engineers
(770) 447-5083, ext. 218
email: Helen@aeecenter.org