Certified Association Executive Program - Have your CAE, or need more information?

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) is the membership organization and voice of the association profession.  ASAE sponsors the Certified Association Executive (CAE) professional certification program.  The following outlines the CAE certification process in a nutshell. 

The CAE certification was introduced in 1960. It began as an essay exam, but eventually a psychometrically valid multiple-choice exam replaced it. In 2003, the CAE exam underwent a massive reorganization to align the concepts more closely with actual issues faced by association executives.

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) program is designed to elevate professional standards, enhance individual performance, and designate association professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the practice of association management. Founded in 1960, the CAE program stands as a mark of excellence and has evolved to reflect what it takes to manage an association in today's challenging climate.

Earning and maintaining the CAE is a three-part process. Candidates must first meet eligibility requirements and submit an application. The next step is to sit for and pass the CAE exam. Once a candidate has earned the credential they must maintain it by fulfilling certification renewal requirements every three years.

CAE Eligibility Requirements

If the following statements describe you, then you should make attaining the Certified Association Executive credential your goal.

1. You have been employed by a qualifying nonprofit organization (trade association, professional society, individual membership organization, philanthropic organization) or association management company within the last five years.
2. You have three years of experience as a CEO at a qualifying organization and a bachelor's degree or higher OR you have five years of experience working at the staff level at a qualifying organization and a bachelor's degree or higher.
3. You are committed to upholding the ASAE Standards of Conduct and have no felony convictions related to the practice of association management.
4. You  have completed 100 hours of broad-based qualifying professional development within the last five years. Candidates must complete 100 hours of broad-based association management related professional development activities within the five years preceding the application. Within those 100 hours, no more than 20 can be from any one domain topic.

Qualifying Professional Experience

At the time you submit your application, you must meet the following professional experience requirements:

Be currently or recently employed in a qualifying nonprofit organization or association management company such as a trade association, professional society, individual membership organization, or philanthropic organization. 

• 'Recently employed' is defined as having been a paid employee in a qualifying position within the past five years at time of application.
• Internship experience and service as a volunteer leader is not applicable toward the professional experience requirement. 
• Have sufficient qualifying professional experience at a qualifying nonprofit organization or association management company.
• 3 years experience as CEO with a bachelor's degree or equivalent
• 5 years experience as staff with a bachelor's degree or equivalent

To achieve the designation through the CAE courses you must:

• have two years of experience in association management and a university degree or 5 years experience if you do not have a degree
• complete the five Certified Association Executive (CAE) courses
• successfully write the Certified Association Executive (CAE) exam
• be a member of the Canadian Society of Association Executives (CSAE)
• agree to comply with CSAE's Code of Conduct^[2]

The Certified Association Executive (CAE) examination is conducted via the internet over a weekend. The exam is be forwarded to the candidate's e-mail address and must be submitted within 48 hours. The exam consists of three case study questions and is totally ‘open book.’ Candidates are welcome to seek information and advice from any approved source, including: the internet, books, articles, CAE materials and professional colleagues. The only restrictions on the sources of information are as follows: no member of the CSAE staff or CAE faculty may be contacted to assist in answering any content-related question; all applicants will be given temporary access to all CAE course material once their application to write the exam has been approved.

 NFi Studios takes this opportunity to congratulate current CAE's.