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CEP Certification

Eligibility Requirements

  • 8 years industry related experience or
    4 years industry related experience + 4-year industry related college degree
  • Adherence to AACE's Canons of Ethics

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CEP Examination Investment

While AACE membership is not required for certification, members receive the benefit of reduced examination fees.

  • US$525 for members
  • US$690 for non-members
  • US$260 resit fee (member and non-members)

All fees are due upon submission of an application and are non-refundable. The fee includes our eligibility documentation review and computer based testing (CBT) fee. Review our policy by clicking here. 

 

The only prerequisite for an AACE International examination is meeting the above eligibility requirements. Candidates are never required to purchase or participate in training offered by AACE International, AACE International Certification Institute, or any AACE-affiliated companies as a prerequisite for certification. Candidates are also not required to purchase study materials offered by AACE International. However, many candidates find the study guides and other recommended resources helpful in their certification preparation. The following recommended resources are available for you to purchase and use at your discretion.

Exam Structure

  • 5 hours maximum
  • 119 simple, multiple choice and compound, scenario questions
    • 3 Domains: Basic Estimating Knowledge (50 questions), Complex Estimating Problems (24 questions), and Estimating Process & Practices (45 questions)
  • 1 domain: Communication. Comprises of 1 memo writing assignment with a given scenario and instructions for writing a response in an onscreen text box
  • Closed Book
  • Any style, battery operated calculator permitted (not provided by the testing center)

Earning the Certification

  • An overall average score of 70% or higher is needed to pass the exam
  • The final exam result is arrived by averaging the score of all four domains

    Example:
    Domain 1: 69% (fail domain) +
    Domain 2: 70% (pass domain) +
    Domain 3: 65% (fail domain) +
    Domain 4: 76% (pass domain)
    Sum of domains divided by 4 = average score of 70% (pass the exam)
Please note that it is the policy of the Certification Board, in accordance with our accreditation authority, to release results on a Pass or Fail basis only; therefore, no individual scores will be given.

Recertification & Maintenance

CEP certification is valid for 3 years and must be recertified through the accumulation of 12 CEUs in at least two categories or reexamination. Click here to learn more about recertification. 



To remain strong and responsive to the needs of certified members and other cost professionals, the public, and AACE International Certification Institute, our certification programs solicit input from all interested individuals and organizations as to the policies and procedures used in administering the Association’s certification programs. Please address any comments you may have regarding the administration of certification programs to the Certification Board via e-mail to certification@aacei.org or via U.S. mail at Certification Board, AACE International, 726 East Park Avenue #180, Fairmont, WV 26554 USA

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