Congratulations on your decision to pursue the IAEM certification. 

Remember to fill out the Certification Enrollment form

• Download the Certification Brochure to help you better understand the program.
• Download our Self-Assessment Tool to help you determine your readiness for the Certification program.

Levels of Certification

There are two types of certification offered: the Associate Emergency Manager (AEM®) and the Certified Emergency Manager (CEM®).

AEM® Requirements

• Training: 100 hours Emergency Management training (considered specific to the profession) & 100 hours of General Management Training (content that can be applied beyond emergency management)

  • No more than 25% of hours can be in a single topic
  • Must be completed within the last 10 years

• Essay: Candidates must demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities through this written submission, as specified in the application
• References: One letter of reference, signed and on letterhead from current supervisor PLUS contact information for a total of three references.
• Certification Exam: Score 75% or higher on a 100 multiple choice question exam
  • The exam includes a portion of questions that are considered to be universal, core content for emergency management regardless of location. Additional content is tested depending on country in which candidate is based.

CEM® Requirements

Candidates must meet all AEM requirements in addition to the following:

• Emergency Management Work History: 3 years of comprehensive emergency management experience
  • A baccalaureate degree in emergency management reduces the experience requirement depending on how current. Candidates cannot use their degree to both satisfy the education requirement and satisfy training hours.

• Emergency Management Experience: Participation in two functional exercises, a major public event, a full-scale exercise, or actual disaster, and cover all phases of emergency management.
• Professional Contributions: Submit 6 separate contributions completed within the last 10 year
• Degree Requirement:
  • U.S., Europa, Oceania applicants: A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university is required.
  • Canadian applicants: Any 3 or 4 year bachelor program or any post-graduate degree in Emergency Management or related field from a regionally accredited institution.
  • Asia, International, Latin America & Caribbean applicants: Any baccalaureate degree or equivalent thereof, or additional experience may be substituted at two years of full time EM employment per year of college/university. 

  
  

  AEM^® and CEM^® are registered trademarks of the International Association of Emergency Managers.