Professional Certifications

Also issued by the PMI and used as a stepping-stone to the PMP, the CAPM is a project management practitioner – relatively new to the profession – who has demonstrated fundamental project management knowledge and experience by applying project management tools, techniques, and methodologies to projects. As with the PMP, CAPM candidates must meet specific education and experience requirements as well as pass an examination. Two categories of this certification are available, each with its own educational and service hours requirements.

The Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE International) issues this certification to graduates of accredited engineering schools who have demonstrated their proficiency in cost engineering. In addition to a four-year engineering degree, a Certified Cost Engineer has a minimum of four years practical experience in the profession, has passed a daylong, four-part written examination, and has authored a juried technical paper on a cost engineering subject.

The AACE International issues this certification to non-engineering graduates who have demonstrated their proficiency in cost engineering. A Certified Cost Consultant has a minimum eight years of practical experience in the profession – of which four may be substituted for with a degree in a related discipline – has passed a daylong, four-part examination, and has written a juried technical paper on a cost engineering subject.

Recertification is required every three years, allowing the professional to demonstrate continued expertise through work experience, continuing education, professional development, and active involvement in the profession.

CCT certification provides an exam that lets employers identify those who meet the program’s competency standards while additional expertise is obtained through work experience. To sit for the exam, at least 4 full years of experience in a cost/schedule related field is required, of which up to 4 years may consist of appropriate college-level academic training. Related degrees include: engineering, building construction, construction technology, business, economics, accounting, construction management, architecture, computer science, mathematics, etc. AACE International maintains the CCT's file for at least 4 years; until the CCT certification expires or they become a Certified Cost Consultant/Certified Cost Engineer.

AACEI issues this certification, designed to establish credentials for those individuals working in the estimating field. CEP^TM certification provides a means to validate skills and knowledge.

Issued by the Institute of Hazardous Materials Management, the CHMM is a professional who has demonstrated his or her ability to identify, evaluate and eliminate hazardous materials, reduce the risks involved, and prevent accidents. Those granted a CHMM hold a degree, have three years of related field experience, and have passed a rigorous and comprehensive examination.

The public accountancy boards of the 50 states, the territories, the District of Columbia, and many nations issue this certification to individuals who are four-year degree holders (having taken certain required accounting courses), have acquired the required practical experience, and have passed a two-day written examination.

SAVE International^TM is the premiere international society devoted to the advancement and promotion of the value methodology (also called value engineering, value analysis or value management). Value methodology benefits include decreasing costs, increasing profits and improving quality. SAVE International issues the CVS certification, recognizing the individual who has met all technical and experience requirements, and whose principal career is value engineering.

AACEI issues this certification to recognize specialists who meet a demanding set of earned value management criteria measured by a rigorous exam, experience, education and ethical qualifications. The EVP^TM certification distinguishes professionals who have the knowledge and skills that impact the bottom line and adhere to best management practices. Candidates must have at least 8 years of professional experience and pass a multi-part exam.

The professional engineering boards of the 50 states, as well as those of the District of Columbia, certain U.S. territories, and many industrialized nations issue this registration, which authorizes the Professional Engineer to practice engineering. Licensed individuals must hold an Engineer-in-Training registration, have demonstrated four to seven years of internship under a professional engineer, and have passed a daylong written examination covering the practical applications of engineering design.

These individuals possess the appropriate education, training and technical skills and the credentials to qualify in the courtroom as Fire Origin & Cause expert witnesses. These professionals investigate various incident types of events, based on qualifications, which may include but are not be limited to Cause and Origin of fires and explosions, SIU related investigations, insurance fraud, and other investigations contingent on the needs of clients and business units. Additional experience should include expertise in obtaining photographic documentation, evidence retrieval, report preparation and conducting interviews.

Education may include law enforcement, firefighting, or other investigative training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Investigators must be bondable and eligible for licensing as a Private Investigator, where so required. Some jurisdictions require written testing for licensing.

AACEI issues this certification to recognize specialists who meet a demanding set of planning and scheduling criteria measured by a rigorous exam, experience, education and ethical qualifications. The PSP^TM requirements reflect the sophistication of individuals in today’s planning and scheduling industry. Candidates must have at least 8 years of professional experience and pass a multi-part exam.

The professional engineering boards of the 50 states, as well as those of the District of Columbia, certain U.S. territories, and many industrialized nations issue this registration, which authorizes the Professional Engineer to practice engineering. Licensed individuals must hold an Engineer-in-Training registration, have demonstrated four to seven years of internship under a professional engineer, and have passed a daylong written examination covering the practical applications of engineering design.

This certification, issued by the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI), demonstrates that the Human Resources (HR) professional has mastered the HR body of knowledge. The HRCI issues this certification to those individuals passing a four-hour exam, primarily focusing on operational and technical issues, and assessing general knowledge of the HR field. Areas tested include strategic management, workforce planning and employment, Human Resources development, compensation and benefits, employee and labor relations, and occupational health, safety and security.

The HRCI requires recertification every three years, attained through continuing education, instruction, on-the-job experience, research and publishing, leadership activities or membership in a national or international professional organization, or by retaking the exam.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) issues this certification to individuals who have demonstrated their competence as project managers, met specific education and experience requirements, have agreed to adhere to a code of professional conduct, and who have passed a daylong, computer-based examination covering the principles of project management.

Those who have been granted the PMP certification must satisfy PMI's Continuing Certification Requirements Program by demonstrating an ongoing professional commitment to the field of project management.