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 14,000 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.
New - AEE Certifications Recognized in New York City and by City of San Francisco Local Law 87 for New York City requires all buildings in New York City over 50,000 square feet to perform retro-commissioning of systems and to submit an energy efficiency report based on a building audit performed by a qualified energy auditor. Under Local Law 87, the Association of Energy Engineers' the Certified Energy Manager and Certified Energy Auditor certifications are approved for energy auditing, and the Certified Building Commissioning Firm, Certified Building Commissioning Professional, and Existing Building Commissioning Professional certifications are approved retro-commissioning certifications. The City of San Francisco's Department of the Environment now recognizes a Certified Energy Manager, Existing Building Commissioning Professional, and Certified Building Commissioning Professional with at least two years' experience as qualified to provide energy auditing services. Under the city's Environment Code Chapter 20 Existing Commercial Buildings Energy Performance Ordinance, an energy audit is required every five years.
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.
Videos: An Introduction to the CEM Program & Reasons to Become a CEM
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 oneof the following criteria:
Education
Experience
4-year degree in engineering or archtitecture
OR
Professional Engineer or Registered Archtitect
AND
3+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy management
4-year degree in environmental science, physics, or earth science
AND
4+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy management
4-year degree in business (or related field)
AND
5+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy management
2-year energy management associate's degree
AND
6+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy management
2-year technical associate's degree
AND
8+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy management
NONE
AND
10+ years of experience in energy engineering or energy mangement
*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 contains 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. You must bring a hand calculator to the exam since the CEM test does not allow computers, tablets or cell phones to be used for calculations on the test.
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
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 one of the following self-study seminars:
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:
$400
Live Seminar Option:
5-Day Comprehensive CEM Training Seminar: $1,795 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,995 for non-AEE members
2-Day Fast Track CEM Training Seminar: $1,250 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,350 for non-AEE members
4-Day CEM Training Seminar for Government Involved Energy Professionals: $1,695 for AEE members / government / nonprofit; $1,895 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 Remote Testing Center. If you are taking the Online Fast Track CEM Preparatory Course you may now choose to take the exam at one of our remote testing centers around the country. You must bring a hand calculator to the exam since the CEM test does not allow computers, tablets or cell phones to be used for calculations on the test.
AEE Live Seminar and CEM Exam
AEE Online Realtime Seminar and Remote Testing Centers
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
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. The Remote 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 remote testing facility to reschedule. If you do not for any reason give this notice, you will be required to pay the center fee of $70 before you can reschedule.
Please do not contact the Remote 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.
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.
The CEM Self-Evaluation Exam was developed by AEE to help candidates understand their strengths and weaknesses across pertinent CEM domains, and reduce test anxiety. The self-evaluation exam simulates the certification test, contains a four hour time limit, and covers seventeen sections.
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 self-evaluation exam and the results are unofficial. You must complete the official CEM exam in order to become certified.
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:
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.