Becoming a CAE Registered Provider reflects your organization’s commitment to providing education that helps individuals earn or maintain the Certified Association Executive credential. Your organization will be included in a list of CAE Registered Providers on the ASAE website and will receive a link to your CAE-applicable course page. CAEs and CAE candidates will be encouraged to look for CAE Registered Providers when selecting courses. Only CAE Registered Providers can publicize that their programs are approved for CAE credit.

What's involved?

Complete the online application to become a Registered Provider. The online system will take you step-by-step so that you may enter your organization’s contact information, upload courses for review, and pay the applicable fees. 

You will receive a template with customizable text, a Registered Provider digital seal, and support from ASAE’s CAE department to ensure that your participants can easily and properly receive CAE credit for participation.

What are the criteria for our courses to be eligible for CAE credit?

To be eligible for CAE credit, courses must be directly related to association or nonprofit management topics as defined by the CAE Exam Content Outline. Learn more about course eligibility at https://www.asaecenter.org/programs/cae-certification/cae-crediteligibility-criteria-for-approved-providers. 

Providers must submit a CAE Registered Provider course reporting form with the online application. Within the reporting form, your organization will need to provide:

• name/title of the course or conference
• method of delivery
• program’s start and end date
• course learning objectives
• three-four sentences for course description
• total number of anticipated CAE credits
• CAE domain that the course content adheres to

Programs must be submitted for approval in advance. The CAE Program recommends submitting programs at least 30 days before the program date to allow sufficient time for the approval process.

Your organization will receive an email notification within 30 days of receipt of the online application whether their programs have been approved. Along with the notice of approval, your organization will receive the Registered Provider logo. For any programs taking place in September 2023, our turnaround time will be a maximum of 14 days for approval, as we fast-track those programs to allow you to continue to market the program.

How are CAE credits calculated?

Live courses, workshops, seminars, or classes (including face-to-face, audio/videoconference, and online) earn CAE credit for actual clock time of qualifying education, including partial credits, up to a maximum of 8 CAE credits per day. (For example, 45 minutes of qualifying education equals .75 CAE credits. 50 minutes of qualifying education equals .83 CAE credits)

Asynchronous courses earn CAE credit for contact hours of participation in organized continuing education classes and/or training conducted by a qualified instructor. A contact hour is equivalent to one 60-minute interaction between an instructor and the participant. Partial credit may be given for partial contact hours.

Conferences earn CAE credit for the actual clock time of qualifying education. Breaks between education sessions, lunches, and expo hours do not qualify for CAE credit. Your organization will need to list each education session separately that will earn CAE credits on the CAE Registered Provider Course reporting form.

What fees are involved?

There is an annual application fee of $295 for local and regional Societies of Association Executives (SAE) members and $695 for non-SAE members.

Below is the list of the associated fee(s) for live (non-conference) and asynchronous programs that are offered for CAE credit by non-SAE members. 

Number of CAE-eligible Courses	Fee
1 to 5 CAE-eligible courses	$195
6 to 10 CAE-eligible courses	$395
11 to 20 CAE-eligible courses	$595
21 to 50 CAE-eligible courses	$995
50+ CAE-eligible courses	$1,995

Below is the list of the associated fee(s) for conferences that are offered for CAE credit by non-SAE members. 

Number of CAEeligible Conferences	Fee
1 to 5 CAE-eligible conferences	$595
6+ CAE-eligible conferences	$995

What is considered a course and what is considered a conference?

The professional development that your organization offers can come in the form of synchronous/live learning, asynchronous (self-paced) learning, or a combination of both.

A course generally covers one specific topic/concept. A course may be led by one or more instructors. Types of courses include but are not limited to, a webinar, seminar, workshop, class, instructor-led training, etc. 

A conference is a large multi-day formal meeting of people or members who come together to debate issues, learn from other’s experiences, and network with others who share their passions. A conference will feature a series of speakers, often with a keynote speaker, who give presentations on a variety of subjects related to the conference’s focus.

What information on programs and attendance do we need to maintain?

The Registered Provider should keep a list of attendees, the presenters, the program date, the description, and the number of CAE credits. This information should be kept for five years, as exam applicants may include education taken within a five-year period. Providers should be able to provide participants with a certificate of attendance or a letter confirming participation.

If approved, what will be the start date of our CAE Registered Provider status?

Once your organization’s application has been fully reviewed and approved, your organization’s CAE Registered Provider status will begin as of the date you submit your application. Although it can take up to 30 days to review your application from the time it is received, the status will begin as of the date the application was submitted for review.

What is required for an organization if we wish to offer additional courses for CAE credit during our approval period?

The Registered Provider should submit the CAE Registered Provider reporting form with the additional courses that you wish to be considered for review. Applicable fees may be assessed if the total number of CAE-eligible courses reaches the next tier.

Does my organization have to submit each professional development course that we offer?

No, your organization will only submit courses that are being offered and/or promoted for CAE credit. Once approved, your organization will receive a Registered Provider digital seal that you will use to notate each course that has been approved for CAE credit.

Who will review the professional development that is submitted for CAE credit?

The CAE Registered Provider Committee, which is comprised of volunteers, along with ASAE staff will review the professional development that is submitted for review.

Are Registered Providers monitored by the CAE Registered Provider Committee?

The CAE Registered Provider Committee has a responsibility to maintain the integrity and quality of programs offered by registered providers. Therefore, the CAE Registered Provider Committee reserves the right to:

• monitor registered courses and operations as part of periodic random samplings of registered providers.
• terminate the use of the CAE Registered Provider designation when there is ample evidence that a provider is not upholding CAE education criteria and commitments to follow CAE Registered Provider guidelines.

CAE Registered Provider recognition is withdrawn for failure to comply with the criteria and conditions of qualification. Registered providers are notified in writing of any failure to comply and have a probationary period of 60 days to demonstrate compliance. If registered providers fail to comply with conditions for acceptance by the end of that period, registration is withdrawn, and providers are removed from the CAE Registered Provider program. Organizations that have had Registered Provider status withdrawn may apply for reinstatement beginning one year after the date of withdrawal.

How do I become a CAE Registered Provider?

Applications to become a CAE Registered Provider may be submitted at any time. Contact Credentialing staff at 202-626-2759 for more information.

Can participants still earn CAE credit for my course(s) even if I am not a Registered provider?

Yes. Any continuing professional education offered by any professional entity may be accepted toward the professional development requirement as long as it is directly related to either association or nonprofit management as defined by the CAE exam content outline. Only CAE Registered Providers can publicize that their programs are approved for CAE credit.

Whom do I contact for assistance?

Please contact Credentialing staff at 202-626-2759 or email at caedept@asaecenter.org for questions and assistance.