CEM^® News 2014

• Attention: CEM/AEM Candidates Scheduled to Recertify in 2015 (14 Oct 2014) There will be revised requirements for recertification beginning Jan. 1, 2015, that reward CEMs and AEMs who maintain their certification. These changes were designed to streamline the recertification process as well as make the recertification process more relevant to a certified professional's progress in the emergency management field. As individuals maintain the certification, the training requirements decrease while the professional contribution requirements increase. 

• Presentation of CEM/AEM Diplomas for IAEM Middle East Resilience Conference Participants (13 Oct 2014) CEM/AEM candidates in the Class of 2014 who are interested in receiving their diploma at the IAEM 2014 Middle East Resilience Conference, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, must have their CEM/AEM credential application submitted through the online application by Nov. 1, 2014, and approved during the first review. Candidates must also take and return their completed exam to IAEM Headquarters by Nov. 1, 2014.
   
• New CEM/AEM Exam To Be Released in January 2015 (03 Oct 2014) The new 100-question multiple choice CEM/AEM exam will be released in January 2015. A revised study guide with recommended study materials will be available in November 2014 on the IAEM website. Certification candidates who are preparing for the exam using the current study guide should make the necessary arrangements to sit for the test by December 2014. Information about making arrangements for the exam with an approved proctor can be found on pages 4-5 of the Study Guide. 
   
• Presentation of CEM/AEM Diplomas (18 Sept 2014) CEM/AEM candidates in the Class of 2014. who are interested in receiving their diploma at the IAEM-USA Annual Conference during the awards ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 19 in San Antonio, Texas, must have their CEM/AEM credential application already approved and must take and return their completed exam to IAEM Headquarters by Oct. 10, 2014.
   
• CEM Executive Board Provides Clarification on Use of Degrees to Meet CEM Experience and Training Requirements (03 Sept 2014) As of May 29, 2014, the CEM Executive Board provided clarification on the use of a college degree to meet the CEM experience and training requirements:
  • An Oceania and Europa candidate may use a master’s degree to meet the degree requirement. If the master’s degree is in emergency management, the work experience requirement is reduced to two years. If the master’s degree is earned within the previous six years of applying for the certification, the candidate may use the degree to reduce the number of hours of EM training required depending on when the degree was earned. The candidate cannot use any courses from the master’s degree toward the GM Training.
  • A USA candidate may use a bachelor’s or master’s degree in EM or related field to reduce the work experience and reduce the number of hours of EM training required, depending on when the degree was earned.
  • If a candidate uses a degree in emergency management (different from the degree used to meet the education requirement) to reduce the EM training requirement, courses from that degree can be used toward the GM training. 
     
• Online CEM/AEM Application Portal Now Online (01 July 2014) We are excited to announce that the online portal for initial CEM/AEM credential submissions, AEM to CEM upgrade applications, and Lifetime applications is now live. You can access the online portal from the IAEM website here by clicking on the link for Access the CEM/AEM Application and logging in using your IAEM log-in credentials. If you don't know your username/password, there will be a link you can use to access it. If you are an IAEM member or if you have already passed the certification exam, it is very important that you log into the online application system using the correct credentials, rather than using a duplicate record. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact Kate McClimans at 703-538-1795.
  • We also have posted helpful User Guides (initial application, upgrade application, or Lifetime nomination) in the CEM Resource Center with step-by-step instructions for using the online system. If you have any questions or experience any technical difficulties, please contact the IAEM Education & Certification Manager at CEMinfo@iaem.com. Please include a description of the issue, your internet browser, and a screen shot, if possible. If we experience a site-wide issue, we'll get a message posted on the CEM News page as soon as possible, so candidates are encouraged to check the page for updates if they encounter an error.
  • Candidates do not need to create the entire application in one sitting. Uploads and entries will be saved in the system using the "Save" buttons. CEM/AEM candidates submitting first-time applications may submit through the online system or by using the paper application until Aug. 15, 2014. After Aug. 15, 2014, all applications must be submitted through the online system.
     
• Revised Version of CEM/AEM Application Now Available (20 May 2014) A new CEM/AEM Application has been uploaded onto the IAEM website, and all candidates should note the following changes in the requirements:
  • Previously, the work experience requirement stated that candidates had to participate in an actual disaster or full scale exercise. The commission has made the following changes to the work experience requirement: 
    
    • To fulfill the work experience requirement, candidates may now participate in a full-scale exercise or two separate functional exercises by planning, conducting or coordinating and/or having a major disaster/emergency management role during the exercise, OR
    • Obtain experience in the preparation, response, recovery and mitigation phases of an actual declared disaster, or a major public event such as major sporting event, state visit, or special event. A special event is defined as "a non-routine event that places a strain on community resources and requires planning, preparedness and mitigation efforts by emergency management and public safety professionals."
  • Professional Contribution L has changed from "State or Province Emergency Management Certification or Registration" to "Professional Certification related to Emergency Management.”
  • Until further notice, Canadian candidates may continue to use the degree waiver in place of the education requirement by substituting extra years of work experience.
  • It is the candidate's responsibility to provide documentation verifying all sections of the application. Candidates may no longer write the name of someone who can verify the information on their behalf (as was documented in the professional contribution section of the application).
  • The essay scenario has changed and can be accessed in the CEM/AEM Application. Candidates who have already submitted their application or are in the process of resubmitting supplemental documentation due to the first review being found incomplete, may continue to use the old essay scenario.
     
• Candidates should note that starting July 1, 2014, applications must meet the new requirements outlined above. The North American Application Review Commission is meeting Sept. 11-14, 2014. All applications must be received at IAEM HQ by Aug. 15, 2014, to be included in this review.
   
• CEM Online Application System Goes Live on July 1 (30 Apr 2014) We are excited to announce that the CEM, AEM and Lifetime CEM applications will be available through the online system starting July 1, 2014. CEM/AEM candidates submitting first-time applications may submit through the online system or by using the paper application until Aug. 15, 2014. After Aug. 15, all applications must be submitted through the online system.
   
• Recertification Fee to Increase June 1, 2014 (04 Apr 2014) Effective June 1, 2014, the CEM/AEM recertification fee will increase from $200 to $250.
   
• Online Recertification Application System Has Been Launched (04 Mar 2014) In February, IAEM launched the CEM/AEM online recertification application. Current CEMs and AEMs should be aware that all future recertification applications must be submitted using the online application. The recertification application can be accessed on the Recertification page. We have also posted a helpful user guidein the CEM Resource Center with step-by-step instructions for using the online system. If you have any questions or experience any technical difficulties, please contact the IAEM Education & Certification Manager at CEMinfo@iaem.com. 
   
• Organization of the Current CEM/AEM Exam (05 Feb 2014) CEM/AEM candidates should note that the exam is organized according to the NFPA 1600 Standard on Disaster/Emergency Management and Business Continuity Programs. The current exam is still based on the 2007 version. We will post a revised study guide brochure once the exam is updated.
   
• Online Application Update (31 Jan 2014) IAEM is in the final testing stages of the online application following our system integration and expects a launch date for recertification application in the near future. Thank you for your patience while we ensure a smooth transition to the online application. All current CEMs and AEMs will receive an email when the system is available.
   
• Attention: Oceania, Asia and Europa CEM Candidates (15 Jan 2014) The USA Board has approved a policy change to allow Oceania, Asia and Europa CEM/AEM candidates the ability to submit certification applications in one PDF file via e-mail to IAEM Headquarters instead of as a hard copy application. E-mail applications to the IAEM Education & Certification Manager at CEMinfo@iaem.com.
   
• Update on CEM Certification Online Application System (02 Jan 2014) IAEM staff is finalizing the testing and integration of the certification online application system which is expected to go live during the week of Jan. 13, 2014. The recertification application will be rolled out first through the electronic system with the expectation that the CEM/AEM applications will be available in the summer. All current CEMs and AEMs will receive an email announcement from IAEM Headquarters when the system goes live. The online portal supports IAEM's effort to "go green," reduce shipping costs for candidates, and facilitate an easier application process for all. Helpful resources for using the online application will be available on the IAEM website prior to the launch date. Please direct questions to the IAEM Education & Certification Manager at CEMinfo@iaem.com.