Application Process

Step-by-Step Guide to Your Certification Journey

Complete Your Application

Review the Applicant Guidebook – Provides step-by-step instructions for completing your application.

Review the Legacy Online Application User Guide or new Certification Program Applicant User Guide – Provides step-by-step instructions for navigating the legacy or new online application portal.

Review the Sample Training Allocation Charts – Helps you categorize training courses correctly. The charts for the USA, Canada, Europa, and Middle East are in the available on the Certification Resources page.

When to Submit Your Application for Review by the Certification Commission:

• Submit the application when you are confident that you have uploaded all the required information and have paid the certification fee.
• Applications are reviewed every odd-numbered month.
• Once submitted, the certification application will be evaluated by the Certification Commission. 

Timely preparation is crucial! If you have an approved application in the Applicant Portal, you will have one year from when the application was approved to pass the certification exam. 

Important: The certification fee is not due until you are ready to either take the certification exam or submit your application for review by the Certification Commission. Payment of the certification fee provides two attempts at submitting documentation from the applicant portal to the Commission and two attempts to take the certification exam.

Credential Review Dates

The IAEM Certification Commission has established a schedule for reviewing certification applications. To ensure your application is considered in a timely manner, please adhere to the following submission deadlines:

Tips for a Successful Application

• Refer to the Applicant Guidebook frequently
  • For detailed guidance, reference the Applicant Guidebook.
  • Also, check the Change Log before submitting your application. The Change Log is used to document changes to the certification requirements and Resources.
• Organize Your Documentation
  • Ensure all required documents are clear, legible, and properly labeled.
  • A best practice might be to organize your material electronically in individual folders and subfolders.
  • Remove Personal Identifiable Information (PII): Before submitting your application, ensure that all personal identifiable information (e.g., Social Security numbers, home addresses, personal phone numbers, and dates of birth) is removed or blacked out from all uploaded documents. This helps protect your privacy and ensures compliance with data security best practices.
• Highlight Key Information
  • Use highlights or annotations to draw attention to pertinent details in your documents.
• Provide Extra Contributions
  • If uncertain about a professional contribution, include an additional one to strengthen your application.
• Secure a Mentor
  • Applicants may work with an IAEM Featured Mentor or coordinate with any willing CEM.
  • All mentors must submit a Mentor Approval Form to IAEM Headquarters (HQ) to officially document the mentor/mentee relationship. IAEM HQ will provide approval in writing.

Need Assistance?

Contact IAEM at certificationinfo@iaem.com for support throughout your certification journey.