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By: Cathi Eifert, CAE

Each year, the CAE Commission reviews CAE policies to ensure that the program continues to operate effectively in accord with best practices in credentialing. Over the past year, several policy changes have been adopted, including changes to the renewal submission deadline, the extension request policy, and the professional education requirement for exam applicants.

Renewal deadlines. While the credential period remains through December 31, renewal applications are now due by October 31 of the year your CAE is due to expire. The intent of this policy change is to ensure that renewal applications, to the extent possible, are processed within the certification period while also decreasing the number of credentials that unintentionally lapse. The October 31 deadline provides two months of opportunity for follow-up with certificants who have not yet submitted a renewal application, while the CAE still has opportunity to earn CAE credits if necessary. Renewal applications may still be submitted between November 1 and December 31 if necessary, although an additional $100 processing fee will apply when the policy is fully in effect.

Deferrals. The CAE Commission has also revised the policies and procedures for CAE renewal extensions. The purpose of renewal deferral is to provide those who have not been able to fulfill their renewal requirements due to extenuating circumstances with additional time to do so. The new policies, which cite serious illness, unemployment, or public or military service as examples of extreme hardship, require written requests for extension to be submitted by December first of the expiration year. The certificant must submit the request with an explanation of the extenuating circumstances and progress to date toward recertification. The requests are reviewed by a panel of CAE peers, and if a deferral is granted, the individual may not use the CAE credential during the extension period, but may return to CAE status by completing the designated renewal process within the timeframe allotted by the deferral.

Professional education requirements. A third major policy change addresses the growing association management body of knowledge. In recognition that an association executive must keep abreast of the entire scope of the body of knowledge, the CAE Commission has updated the application requirements. Beginning in 2010, applicants will be required to complete 100 hours of qualifying professional development within the preceding five years, including a maximum of 20 hours from any one knowledge domain. This marks an increase of 25 hours for new candidates, and is timed to become effective in conjunction with the next update of the Exam Content Outline.

In addition to CAE Commission policy changes, CAEs are required to abide by the current ASAE Standards of Conduct. Each CAE is responsible for keeping abreast of ASAE’s current requirements.

The CAE Commission is committed to continual improvement and best practices in credentialing. Suggestions for areas of future policy change are welcomed, and may be submitted to the commission through CAE staff at caedept@asaecenter.org.

Cathi Eifert, CAE, is executive director of the Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists, Alexandria, Virginia. Email:ceifert@brpt.org