By Brian V. Bovyn, CEM, Adjunct Faculty, Emergency Management Program, Frederick Community College, Frederick, Maryland

IAEM administers the emergency management individual portfolio credit review process for the Associate Emergency Manager (AEM) and Certified Emergency Manager (AEM) credentials. The AEM credential is most appropriate for recent college graduates and experienced practitioners who lack the formal education degree, and the CEM credential is the pinnacle credential for emergency management practitioners. The AEM and CEM credentials are neither easily earned nor maintained. However, IAEM and the CEM Commission are pleased to have developed a number of key job aid products to help our candidates navigate the formal AEM/CEM process more easily.

AEM^®/CEM^® Toolkit

You will find many useful articles, tips and job aids in the Certification section of the IAEM website.

• Consider attending an AEM/CEM Prep Course, for a fee of $325 USD for IAEM members and $450 USD for non-members. The Prep Course includes the “AEM/CEM Overview,” general portfolio assembly coaching, and a review of types of questions and content on the 100-question, multiple-choice written AEM/CEM exam. The schedule of upcoming courses is posted here.
• The AEM/CEM Overview, a snapshot of the requirements for the AEM and CEM, basic packet assembly, common mistakes and essay format, is available as an on-demand webinar for a $50 USD fee. Occasionally, live versions of the AEM/CEM Overview are presented at no charge, or for a reduced charge, in conjunction with other training opportunities.
• One of the new job aids is Readiness for AEM/CEM Self Assessment, designed to help the candidate identify his or her readiness to pursue the requirements for the AEM/CEM. This outstanding job aid was developed by CEM Commissioner Dean Larson, Ph.D., CEM.
• Another great tool for assisting AEM and CEM candidates is the CEM Corner of the monthly IAEM Bulletin. Each month the CEM Corner features a different article or portion of the AEM/CEM credentialing program. Topics follow the progression of the AEM/CEM application, including: work experience, education, training, professional contributions, essay writing, professional contributions, trouble shooting performance gap issues, and much more. Many candidates have mentioned that, by using the guidelines from the CEM Corner articles, they were able to successfully navigate the certification process. Visit the CEM Corner online.
• Another opportunity for assistance or guidance comes from the IAEM Mentoring Program. Many successful candidates have found qualified AEM/CEM mentors (usually CEM Commissioners or experienced CEMs who had recertified) to help mentor them through the AEM/CEM application process. The AEM/CEM Mentoring Program is voluntary and offers the candidate no guarantee of a successful portfolio packet. Most often candidates access potential mentors themselves, although occasionally some candidates have been assisted in locating a potential AEM/CEM mentor through IAEM Headquarters staff.
• Coming soon is the next job aid tool for AEM and CEM candidates: The Model Packet. The Model Packet will be a fictitious candidate’s portfolio packet which has been created by a CEM Commissioner and validated by two additional CEM Commissioners. The Model Packet will demonstrate key forms of acceptable supporting documentation, validation and formatting. It will be available in PDF format.
• There are many tools available free or for a nominal charge, that can help the AEM and CEM candidate to successfully navigate the certification process. Most of these tools can be found by visiting the Certification section of the IAEM website.

IAEM Bulletin, July 2011

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