help_outline Skip to main content

News / Articles

Certification FAQs

Published on 12/20/2018


Here is a guide to frequently asked questions about AFE's renown and longstanding certifications- including how to get decertified and ways to get credits for CEUs. If you have any additional questions, reach out to AFE Home Office staff weekdays between 9 AM and 5 PM Eastern Standard Time.


Certifications

AFE offers multiple certifications via Live Review Course & via Self Study. A Live Review Course is a three to five day immersive, in person course that reviews all the materials with a trained instructor. The last day of the course is reserved for taking the certification test. A calendar if the upcoming Live Review Courses are below.

Did you know that holding a Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM), Certified Plant Engineer (CPE), Certified Professional Supervisor (CPS)  or the new Certified Professional Supervisor en Espanol  may add an excess of  $11,000 to your annual earning potential?

Are you unsure which certification works best for you or your 
company's need? Visit the  AFE Certifications page to get an overview.

AFE offers early bird and corporate discounts on educational events tailored to your professional and personal needs. Contact Gabriella Rodriguez directly for more information. If you are located outside of North America, you can still be certified through self study, ask Gabriella how.



TITLE EXPERIENCE EDUCATION  EXAM REQUIRED  PREPARATION RECERTIFICATION REQUIRED
CPE Minimum 4 yrs in management in plant/facility engineering (OR) 6 yrs in field overall 4-yr degree in engineering, architecture or related field Yes 3-6 months reviewing CPE Review Pack study materials, previous experience in application of various engineering principles, participation in review program


Credits in 3 years

CPE Minimum 6 yrs in management in plant/facility engineering (OR) 8 yrs in field overall No degree required Yes 3-6 months reviewing CPE Review Pack study materials, previous experience in application of various engineering principles, and participation in review program


Credits in 3 years
CPE-B Minimum 4 yrs experience as a registered professional engineer


No degree required Yes PE License Needed Credits in 3 years
CPMM Minimum 2 yrs in maintenance management No degree required Yes 4-6 weeks reviewing CPMM Review Pack study materials and/or participation in review program


Credits in 3 years
CPS Minimum 2 yrs in plant/facility supervisory capacity (OR) Minimum 3 yrs in field overall
No degree required Yes 4-6 weeks reviewing CPS Review Pack study materials and/or participation in review program Credits in 3 years





An AFE certification places you at the highest degree of personal and professional advancement making it essential for you to maintain your CPMM, CPE, or CPS throughout your career. AFE certifications are valid for three (3) years. To maintain this coveted designation, applicants must achieve a minimum number of Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by ongoing involvement in the field, through education and professional activities.

Certification specific renewal requirements are listed below and on the Certification Renewal Page
.

The first step in renewing your AFE certification is to complete the Certification Renewal Application and return it with the filing fee to the Association for Facilities Engineering. Please include the courses, presentations or other professional activities completed. The Certification Renewal Application is available as a PDF form that can be downloaded, filled in, and submitted. Submissions can be sent as either an email attachment, fax, or printed and mailed.




General Information

Certification Renewal Guidelines

page1image2992474432

The period of valid certification is three years from the date of approval by the AFE Certification Board. At the end of each three- year period, the Certified Plant Engineer (CPE) must establish eligibility to recertify, by achieving eight (8) credits as defined below. The CPE must complete an AFE Renewal Application and remit the appropriate fee. A certification renewal application will be mailed to each CPE prior to the end of the respective certification year. A copy of the application is available online (www.afe.org) or by contacting the AFE Certification Department at (571-395-8777).

Credit Types

Renewal credit may be obtained through one or more of the following avenues but not limited to:

Employment Credits

CPEs will receive one credit for each year of employment in plant/facilities engineering. Employment in positions with titles other than “plant engineer,” that are acceptable for engineering employment credit for certification, are also acceptable for renewal credit. The employment year must be after the original certification or last renewal date, whichever came last. The CPE will furnish employment verification as requested on the renewal application.

Academic Credits

One (1) renewal academic credit is granted for each ten (10) contact hours of subject material from within the CPE body of knowledge in a class, conference, seminar, or research. A one-day course that includes at least five, but less than ten, contact hours in class, conference, seminar, or research, will receive one half credit.

The CPE can receive academic credit for the following activities:

• Completion of a course on a plant/facilities engineering subject, either as a teacher or student.
• College level courses taken for degree, and/or advanced credits.
• College level continuing education courses (non-degreed work).
• Professional engineering association/society courses.

• Plant/facilities engineering educational conferences and seminars (national, regional, and/or local).
• Government-sponsored conferences, seminars, or courses.
• Engineering correspondence courses, provided a test and passing grade are required for completion achieved
• Company-sponsored courses, taught by a technically competent instructor.

Professional Activities

A CPE can earn one-tenth (0.1) credit each for the following professional activities:
• Presentation of a paper or talk on a plant/facilities engineering or maintenance subject before a national or regional engineering meeting or conference.
• A paper or talk is an oral presentation on an engineering subject related to plant facilities engineering. The presentation should be at least 60 minutes in length. The presentation must be scheduled as an official part of a planned program.
• A paper converted to electronic media and uploaded to the AFE.org web site.

Other Approved Activities

If a CPE feels participation in a maintenance or engineering activity has increased their proficiency as a CPE and/or has kept him/her current in the profession, application may be made to the Certification Board for special recertification credit. Sufficient details of the activity must be forwarded for the Certification Board to make a valid judgment. From time to time, the Certification Board may also recognize special activities related to the maintenance profession for CPE renewal credit.

 

page1image3036064832

Verification of Credit Types:

The following outlines the materials required for successful validation of approved credit types.

Verification of Academic Credits:

The CPE will furnish verification of successful completion of courses in one of the following ways:
• Copy of certificate of completion indicating the subject, length and date of course.
• Signed statement (by the course instructor or sponsoring institute) attesting to completion and indicating the length and date of the course.
• Written proof of registration and attendance at an engineering conference, seminar, or course, showing subject matter and length and date of attendance.
• Copy of certificate of completion of transcript showing completion and grade from correspondence school, professional or education institute, or engineering association.
• Copy of certificate of completion or signed statement showing successful completion of a company sponsored course. (This must include subjects covered, length and date of course, and credentials of the instructor.)
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) earned will be accepted. A copy of the CEU award indicating the subject content and successful completion must be provided. Individuals should complete and submit the AFE Individual CEU Form available on the AFE web site.

Verification of Professional Activities:

The CPE will furnish verification of the presentation in one of the following ways:
• Written copy of the presentation with copy of the program in which it was given and date of delivery.
• Press review of the program stating that the presentation was given by the CPE.
• A statement from the program chairman or letter of appreciation stating that the presentation was a scheduled part of the program and was delivered by the CPE.

Verification for Published Articles:

• Publication of a technical article. The article must be technical in content and pertain to a plant/facilities engineering or maintenance subject. The article must carry the by-line of the CPE. The article must be published in a recognized technical publication.
• Copy of the article.

• Name of the publication.
• Date of the publication.
• Statement by the CPE that he/she is the author of the article and that it is original material.
• The article must be written since the CE was certified or last recertified, whichever occurred last.

Verification of Officer Participation:

• Officer of AFE at the local, regional or national level. One-fifth (0.5) credit will be given for two years of active participation as an officer at any level.
• Confirmed through national AFE.
Verification of Awards:

• Maintenance Achievement Awards. The award must be for outstanding accomplishments and for individual recognition.
• Copy of award.

Verification of Chapter Participation:

• Attendance at local AFE chapter meetings (one credit maximum) where technical topics are presented.
• One-tenth (0.1) credit will be given for each hour of presentation.
• Indicate dates of meeting.
• Indicate topic presented and presenter.

page2image3034149712




General Information

Certification Renewal Guidelines

page1image3033655840

The period of valid certification is three years from the date of approval by the AFE Certification Board. At the end of each three- year period, the Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM) must establish eligibility to recertify, by achieving five (5) credits as defined below. The CPMM must complete an AFE Renewal Application and remit the appropriate fee. A certification renewal application will be mailed to each CPMM prior to the end of the respective certification year. A copy of the application is available online (www.afe.org) or by contacting the AFE Certification Department at (571-395-8777).

Credit Types

Renewal credit may be obtained through one or more of the following avenues but not limited to:

Employment Credits

Each CPMM will receive one (1) credit for each year of employment in the plant/facilities engineering or maintenance fields. The employment year must be after the original certification or last recertification date, whichever came last. The CPMM will furnish employment verification as requested on the renewal application.

Academic Credits

One (1) renewal academic credit is granted for each ten (10) contact hours of subject material from within the CPMM body of knowledge offered in a class, conference, seminar, or research format. The CPMM body of knowledge covers the ten topics of study for the credential as defined by the CPMM Review Pack.

The CPMM can receive academic credit for the following activities:

• Completion of a course on a plant/facilities engineering subject, either as a teacher or student.
• College level courses taken for degree, and/or advanced credits.
• College level continuing education courses (non-degreed work).
• Professional engineering association/society courses.

• Plant/facilities engineering educational conferences and seminars (national, regional, and/or local).
• Government-sponsored conferences, seminars, or courses.
• Engineering correspondence courses, provided a test and passing grade are required for completion achieved.
• Company-sponsored courses, taught by a technically competent instructor.

Professional Activities

A CPMM can earn one-tenth (0.1) credit each for the following professional activities:
• Presentation of a paper or talk on a plant/facilities engineering or maintenance subject before a national or regional engineering meeting or conference.
• A paper or talk is an oral presentation on an engineering subject related to plant facilities engineering. The presentation should be at least 60 minutes in length. The presentation must be scheduled as an official part of a planned program.
• A paper converted to electronic media and uploaded to the AFE.org web site.

Other Approved Activities

If a CPMM feels participation in a maintenance or engineering activity has increased their proficiency as a CPMM and/or has kept him/her current in the profession, application may be made to the Certification Board for special recertification credit. Sufficient details of the activity must be forwarded for the Certification Board to make a valid judgment. From time to time, the Certification Board may also recognize special activities related to the maintenance profession for CPMM renewal credit.

page1image3034089344

Verification of Credit Types:

The following outlines the materials required for successful validation of approved credit types.

Verification of Academic Credits:

The CPMM will furnish verification of successful completion of courses in one of the following ways:
• Copy of certificate of completion indicating the subject, length and date of course.
• Signed statement (by the course instructor or sponsoring institute) attesting to completion and indicating the length and date of the course.
• Written proof of registration and attendance at an engineering conference, seminar, or course, showing subject matter and length and date of attendance.
• Copy of certificate of completion of transcript showing completion and grade from correspondence school, professional or education institute, or engineering association.
• Copy of certificate of completion or signed statement showing successful completion of a company sponsored course. (This must include subjects covered, length and date of course, and credentials of the instructor.)
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) earned will be accepted. A copy of the CEU award indicating the subject content and successful completion must be provided. Individuals should complete and submit the AFE Individual CEU Form available on the AFE web site.

Verification of Professional Activities:

The CPMM will furnish verification of the presentation in one of the following ways:
• Written copy of the presentation with copy of the program in which it was given and date of delivery.
• Press review of the program stating that the presentation was given by the CPMM.
• A statement from the program chairman or letter of appreciation stating that the presentation was a scheduled part of the program and was delivered by the CPMM.

Verification for Published Articles:

• Publication of a technical article. The article must be technical in content and pertain to a plant/facilities engineering or maintenance subject. The article must carry the by-line of the CPMM. The article must be published in a recognized technical publication.
• Copy of the article.

• Name of the publication.
• Date of the publication.
• Statement by the CPMM that he/she is the author of the article and that it is original material.
• The article must be written since the CPMM was certified or last recertified, whichever occurred last.

Verification of Officer Participation:

• Officer of AFE at the local, regional or national level. One-fifth (0.5) credit will be given for two years of active participation as an officer at any level.
• Confirmed through national AFE.
Verification of Awards:

• Maintenance Achievement Awards. The award must be for outstanding accomplishments and for individual recognition.
• Copy of award.

Verification of Chapter Participation:

• Attendance at local AFE chapter meetings (one credit maximum) where technical topics are presented.
• One-tenth (0.1) credit will be given for each hour of presentation.
• Indicate dates of meeting.
• Indicate topic presented and presenter.



General Information

Certification Renewal Guidelines

page1image3035708656

The period of valid certification is three years from the date of approval by the AFE Certification Board. At the end of each three- year period, the Certified Professional Supervisor (CPS) must establish eligibility to become certified by achieving five (5) credits as defined below. The CPS must complete an AFE Renewal Application and remit the appropriate fee. A renewal application will be mailed to all CPS's prior to the end of the respective renewal year. A copy of the application is available on-line (www.afe.org) or by contacting the AFE Certification Department at (571-395-8770).

Credit Types

Renewal credit may be obtained through one or more of the following avenues but not limited to:

Employment Credits

CPSs will receive one (1) credit for each year of employment in the plant/facilities engineering or maintenance fields. The employment year must be after the original certification or last recertification date, whichever came last. The CPS will furnish employment verification as requested on the recertification application.

Academic Credits

One (1) renewal academic credit is granted for each ten (10) contact hours of subject material from within the CPS body of knowledge offered in a class, conference, seminar, or research format. The CPS body of knowledge covers the ten topics of study for the credential as defined by the CPS Review Pack. A one-day course that includes at least four, but less than eight, contact hours (the time spent in actual instruction) in either a class, conference, seminar, or research, will receive one-half or 0.5 credit.

CPSs can receive academic credit for the following activities:
• Completion of a course on a plant/facilities engineering subject, either as a teacher or student.
• College level courses taken for degree, and/or advanced credits.
• College level continuing education courses (non-degreed work).
• Professional engineering association/society courses.
• Plant/facilities engineering educational conferences and seminars (national, regional, and/or local).
• Government-sponsored conferences, seminars, or courses.
• Engineering correspondence courses, provided a test and passing grade are required for completion achieved • Company-sponsored courses, taught by a technically competent instructor.

Professional Activities

CPSs can earn one (1) credit each for the following professional activities:
• Presentation of a paper or talk on a plant/facilities engineering or maintenance subject before a national or regional engineering meeting or conference.
• A paper or talk is an oral presentation on an engineering subject related to plant engineering. The presentation should be at least 20 minutes in length. The presentation must be scheduled as an official part of a planned program.
• A paper converted to electronic media and uploaded to the AFE.org web site.

Other Approved Activities

If a CPS feels participation in a maintenance or engineering activity has increased their proficiency as a CPS and/or has kept him/her current in the profession, application may be made to the Certification Board for special renewal credit. Sufficient details of the activity must be forwarded for the Certification Board to make a valid judgment. From time to time, the Certification Board may also recognize special activities related to the maintenance profession for CPS renewal credit.

Verification of Credit Types:
The following outlines the materials required for successful validation of approved credit types.


page1image2992553648page1image2992553920

Verification of Academic Credits:

CPSs will furnish verification of successful completion of courses in one of the following ways:
• Copy of certificate of completion indicating the subject, length and date of course.
• Signed statement (by the course instructor or sponsoring institute) attesting to completion and indicating the length and date of the course.
• Written proof of registration and attendance at an engineering conference, seminar, or course, showing subject matter and length and date of attendance.
• Copy of certificate of completion of transcript showing completion and grade from correspondence school, professional or education institute, or engineering association.
• Copy of certificate of completion or signed statement showing successful completion of a company sponsored course. (This must include subjects covered, length and date of course, and credentials of the instructor.)
• Continuing Education Units (CEUs) earned will be accepted. A copy of the CEU award indicating the subject content and successful completion must be provided. Individuals should complete and submit the AFE Individual CEU Form available on the AFE web site.

Verification of Professional Activities:

The CPS will furnish verification of the presentation in one of the following ways:
• Written copy of the presentation with copy of the program in which it was given and date of delivery.
• Press review of the program stating that the presentation was given by the CPS.
• A statement from the program chairman or letter of appreciation stating that the presentation was a scheduled part of the program and was delivered by the CPS.

Verification for Published Articles:

• Publication of a technical article. The article must be technical in content and pertain to a plant/facilities engineering or maintenance subject. The article must carry the by-line of the CPS. The article must be published in a recognized technical publication.
• Copy of the article.

• Name of the publication.
• Date of the publication.
• Statement by the CPS that he/she is the author of the article and that it is original material.
• The article must be written since the CPS was certified or last renewal, whichever occurred last.

Verification of Officer Participation:

• Officer of AFE at the local, regional, or national lever. One (1) credit will be given for two years of active participation as an officer at any level.
• Confirmed through national AFE.

Verification of Awards:

• Maintenance Achievement Awards. The award must be for outstanding accomplishments and for individual recognition. • Copy of award

Verification of Chapter Participation:

• Attendance at local AFE chapter meetings (one credit maximum) where technical topics are presented. • One-tenth (0.1) credit will be given for each hour of presentation.
• Indicate dates of meeting.
• Indicate topic presented and presenter.



Upcoming Events
Upcoming Live Certification Review Course Calendar