AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.
5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 1 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
International Scheme 1.0
Note: All applicants must take a required approved preparatory seminar before sitting for the exam.
The following information is contained in this booklet:
Information for Applicants
1. Objectives
2. Prerequisites
3. Eligibility
4. Statement of Non-Discrimination
5. Statement of Impartiality
6. Required Body of Knowledge
7. Procedures
8. Point Scoring Evaluation
9. Appeals Policy
10. Incomplete Applications
11. The CEA Examination
12. Rescheduling Exams
13. Inclement Weather
14. Test Admission Procedures
15. Testing Site Rules
16. Examination Irregularities
17. Handling of Tests
18. Notification of Results
19. Retesting
20. Maintaining Certification
21. Retired Certification Status
22. Recertification of CEA
23. Request for Duplicate Certificate
24. Use of CEA Designation
25. CEA Stamp
26. Program Disputes And Submission Of Program Complaints
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 2 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
Information for Applicants
CERTIFIED ENERGY AUDITOR™ (CEA®)
International Scheme 1.0
1. CEA OBJECTIVES
To raise the professional standards of those engaged in energy auditing.
To improve the practice of energy auditing by encouraging energy auditors in a continuing program
of professional development.
To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of energy auditing
related disciplines and laws governing and affecting energy auditors through completing an
examination and fulfilling prescribed standards of performance and conduct.
To award special recognition to those energy auditors who have demonstrated a high level of
competence and ethical fitness for energy auditing.
2. PREREQUISITES
Candidates must complete an approved preparatory seminar, meet one of the eligibility requirements below,
pass the CEA exam and be approved by the CEA board to obtain the CEA certification.
3. ELIGIBILITY
Candidates must meet one the following prerequisites in order to sit for exam:
A Four-Year or Level 6 EQF degree in Engineering or Architecture degree or active CEM® with at least three years
of experience in energy auditing and/or participating in a team doing energy assessments
OR
A Four-Year BS ( non-Engineering or non-Architecture) degree, Four-Year BA degree, or Level 6 EQF degree (in
any other major) with at least four years of experience in energy auditing and/or participating in a team doing
energy assessments
OR
A Two-Year Associates degree, Three-Year Engineering diploma, or Level 5 EQF degree (Energy management,
Energy auditing, or Technical field) with at least five years of experience in energy auditing and/or participating in a
team doing energy assessments
OR
Ten years or more verified experience in energy auditing and/or participating in a team doing energy assessments
**Acceptable experience is full-time direct energy auditing work or participating in team energy
assessments. Higher education, part-time internships, and research positions are not acceptable**
4. STATEMENT OF NON-DISCRIMINATION
AEE endorses the principles of equal opportunity. Eligibility criteria for examination and certification as
a Certified Energy Auditor are applied equally to all individuals regardless of age, race, religion, gender,
national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, or disability.
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 3 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
5. STATEMENT OF IMPARTIALITY
AEE’s Certification’s Body adheres to principles of impartiality in all its dealings and shall act impartially
towards all applicants, candidates, and certificants. The CEA Department enforces its commitment to
impartiality by continually monitoring processes to assure impartiality. Any complaint or indication of
partiality is taken seriously and acted upon to mitigate the perceived or reported cause of partiality. The
Certification Department will not allow external commercial pressures of internal corporate pressures to
compromise impartiality. The Certification Director will monitor all actual or perceived threats to
impartiality annually and make proposals to mitigate such threats, and, if a breach of the CEA
Department’s Impartiality Threat Analysis Report is found, the CEA Director will notify the CEA Board
of that breach.
6. THE REQUIRED BODY OF KNOWLEDGE / STUDYING FOR THE EXAM
The effective practice of energy auditing requires an in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of subjects.
All applicants must take a required approved preparatory seminar before sitting for the certification exam.
For certification purposes, however, the candidate must also demonstrate to the satisfaction of the
Certification Board the knowledge and ability to apply the essentials of energy auditing.
7. PROCEDURES
The first step in the CEA certification process is to register for a required approved preparatory seminar.
After seminar registration has been completed, the certification application should be completed. Since
certification is based on education, audit experience and passing the examination, it is important that the
applicant understands the eligibility requirements (section 2 above), and has attained the prerequisite to
qualify for certification. As part of the application process, candidate must perform 30-minute phone
interview to answer questions and confirm information on the CEA application.
It is very important that all applicants give clear and complete details concerning energy audit experience
so that the CEA Board can have a clear understanding of the applicant’s energy auditing experience.
8. POINT SCORING EVALUATION
The Application Form provides an organized method for documenting professional and educational
background, achievements and community service.
The Personal Data Form is divided into the following four parts:
I – Education
II –CEM®
III – Experience/Employment in Energy Auditing
IV- Interview Questions
The applicant is requested to list on the Application Form all pertinent information in these categories for
evaluation by the CEA Board. All applicants must complete the application; a resume does not replace
the application.
To be awarded the CEA designation, candidates must submit a completed application form and meet the
eligibility requirements and a minimum score of 700 points on the CEA exam. The maximum score
available is 1000 points.
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 4 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
If a candidate has failed to acquire sufficient points to be recommended for CEA, the candidate may be re-
examined at a subsequent examination period and/or resubmit an updated Application Form. Examination
scores will be kept on file by the Certification Director for a period of 3 years. Applicants have 3 years to
follow up and complete his/her CEA file; after 3 years, applicants must resubmit the application and
retake the CEA exam.
It is essential that candidates devote considerable time and effort to completing the Application
Form since certification by the CEA Board can be based only on the information provided.
Inaccurate and/or incomplete data will only be a liability for the applicant.
9. APPEALS POLICY
An appeal is a formal request for reconsideration of an adverse decision made by the CEA Board or its
representatives related to an individual’s achievement of a certification. Candidates may appeal the results
of eligibility determination or the examinations within 60 days of the date of the results. The appeals
process and an application for submitting an appeal is as follows:
• If a candidate has a problem with AEE’s determination of their eligibility or with the examination,
they should first send an email to the CEA Director to request reconsideration of an adverse
decision.
• If the candidate is unsatisfied with the CEA Director’s reconsideration of the adverse decision,
they must request an appeal form from the CEA Director. Once the Appeals Form has been
completed, it must be forwarded to the CEA Director, who will forward the appeal to the Appeals
Board
• Upon receiving the appeal, the Appeals Board has forty-five (45) days in which to consider the
appeal. Candidates will be notified of the Appeals Board’s decision after forty-five (45) days.
10. INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS
Incomplete applications will remain on file with the Certified Energy Auditor Certification Department for
a period of three (3) years. After three years, application materials will be destroyed.
11. THE CEA EXAMINATION
The applicant must complete a four-hour exam. The examination questions are based on concepts and
experiences basic to energy auditing, on recognized tests, and on supplemental reading. The exam is
Open Book! Because of the diversity of background and experience of Energy Auditors, the examination
has 8 different subject sections, all of which are mandatory. The exam consists of multiple choice and
true/false questions.
Body of Knowledge Percent of Exam
Energy Audits and Instrumentation 19 – 21 %
Energy Fundamentals and Energy Accounting 12 – 14 %
Economic Analysis of Energy Conservation 9 – 11 %
Measures; Financing Energy Projects; Performance
Contracting; and Measurement and Verification
Building Systems, Lighting, HVAC, Chillers 14 – 16 %
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 5 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
Controls, Control Systems; Building Automation 7–9%
Systems; and Facility Electrical Systems
Motors and Drives 10 – 12 %
Boilers, Steam Systems, Compressed Air Systems, 7–9%
and Industrial Processes
Operations and Maintenance 14 – 16 %
12. RESCHEDULING EXAMS
While application and exam fees are nonrefundable, a candidate may reschedule taking a live exam at any
time for any reason.
13. INCLEMENT WEATHER
If any candidate is unable to arrive at a designated exam site because of inclement weather, terrorist acts, a
natural disaster, or other unforeseen emergencies beyond control of the candidate as determined by AEE,
the candidate will be allowed to take a future examination without being charged a re-examination fee. If
for any reason the exam is unable to be administered, then the examination will be rescheduled within a
reasonable period of time. Candidates may take the exam at a future administration without being charged
a re-examination fee. Candidates will be responsible for their own associated expenses for future testing.
14. TEST ADMISSION PROCEDURES
Candidates must report to the test location on time. Sign-in begins 30 minutes to one hour before the
posted exam time. Candidates must present a government-issue photo ID when checking in to take the
exam. Candidates who arrive more than thirty minutes late or without a photo ID will NOT be permitted
to enter the test center, and their examination fees will be forfeited. Distribution of test materials, and
testing instructions will begin within five minutes of the posted start time of the exam. The total testing
time is four hours. Additional time has been allotted for instructions. You can expect to leave the testing
center at approximately 4.5 hours after the posted start time for the exam. There are no scheduled breaks.
15. TESTING SITE RULES
The following are rules enforced at all test administrations. Candidates found not to be in compliance with
these standards will immediately be removed from the exam and their test papers collected. The incident
will be reported to the CEA Certification Director.
• All candidates must have proper photo ID in order to be admitted to the test center.
• Candidates are admitted only to their assigned test site at their assigned time
• Candidates arriving more than 30 minutes after the posted test time will not be allowed to take the
exam. Extended time will not be provided to those who begin the exam after the posted start time.
Those taking the exam at a live testing site will have to reschedule. Those taking the exam at a
remote testing center will have to reschedule and pay a $70 rescheduling fee before they will be
able to reschedule to take the exam, if it is rescheduled more than 48 hours prior to the exam date.
• No guests are permitted in the examination rooms
• The exam is open book and calculators are REQUIRED.
• Use of laptops, cell phones, recording devices, PDAs, or other wireless capable devices is not
permitted during the exam.
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 6 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
• No unauthorized material is allowed in the exam room.
• No device capable of taking images is allowed in the exam room.
• Talking, comparing answers, or exchanging reference materials during the exam is not permitted.
• While testing, it is the candidate’s responsibility to keep their testing materials in their own space
and out of sight of fellow examinees. An examinee that is found looking at another examinee’s
answer sheet will be automatically disqualified, dismissed, and reported. A retake of the exam will
not be permitted for six months
• Absolute silence must be maintained in the exam room
• Upon request, students will be excused for bathroom breaks, but only one person at a time may
leave the room during the exam. The exam booklet must be left in the testing room in the closed
position, with the answer sheet turned over so that the answers are not visible.
• The exam booklet, answer sheets, and blue book may not be taken from the exam room and must
be turned in to the proctor immediately upon completion of the exam.
• If taking the exam at a live testing site, use a number 2 pencil when filling in your answer sheet. If
you erase an answer, please do so completely.
• Scoring is based on the number of correct answers. Because there is no penalty for wrong answers,
it is to your advantage to answer every question in each section. If a question is difficult, you may
decide to come back to the question after you have completed all of the questions with which you
are familiar.
• The exam will be 4.0 hours. An announcement will be made every hour, when 30 minutes remain,
and a ten minute warning will also be provided.
16. EXAMINATION IRREGULARITIES
Any problems, suspected incidences of cheating, alleged inappropriate examination administration,
environmental testing conditions severe enough to cause disruption of the process, or other irregularities
related to test administration should be addressed to the onsite proctor or to the CEA Director. All such
matters will be reported, investigated, and subject to further action based upon policies and procedures
adopted by AEE.
17. HANDLING OF TESTS
AEE will take all available precautions to ensure the appropriate and secure handling of completed tests.
In the rare and extreme case in which the tests become lost or unreadable, candidates will be required to
undergo retesting, without being charged a re-examination fee. Candidates will be responsible for their
own travel-associated expenses for future testing.
18. NOTIFICATION OF RESULTS
Candidates are notified via email of their examination results within 30 days of the test administration.
Candidates who successfully complete the examination and whose credentials and application entitle them
to certification will be notified by letter and be granted an AEE Certified Energy Auditor certification.
Candidates who did not successfully complete the examination will be notified via email and given a
diagnostic report on the reason for their failing.
19. RETESTING
In the event that a candidate fails his or her first attempt to pass the CEA exam, AEE requires a waiting
period of at least 60 days between the first and second attempt to pass that same exam. Additionally,
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 7 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
before any candidate’s third attempt or any subsequent attempt to pass the exam, the candidate is required
to wait for a period of at least 60 days from his or her last attempt to pass the exam. Candidates must
submit a retesting form, which is provided at [Link]/certification/CEA. In the event that the
candidate passes the CEA exam, the candidate is prohibited from retaking the same certification exam.
20. MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION
The continuing education of Energy Auditors is essential to cope with the rapidly changing field of energy
auditing. A CEA must accumulate ten professional credits every three years and submit a completed
Renewal Form to the Certification Renewal Director to remain certified. CEA renewal notices are
emailed in the 3rd year of certification six months prior to the expiration date, which falls on December 31
of that year.
Professional credits for recertification can be accumulated at any time within the three year period. For
example, Energy Auditors receiving a CEA certification in 2015 must file a record of ten professional
credits with the Certification Renewal Director by December 31, 2018 in order to receive a CEA
certificate for another 3-year period. Credits are not maintained by AEE during the three year period. It
is the responsibility of the individual to maintain a record of credits accrued and submit this
information at the time of renewal.
Activities for CEA Renewal Credits
Continued employment in energy management/energy engineering activities:
1 credit per year
Membership in a professional engineering society:
1 credit per year (3 max)
Continuing education (CEU’s) / professional activities (seminars or conferences):
2 credits per CEU, college credit hour or 10 contract hours for seminar
Awards presented and/or papers published involving energy engineering/management:
2 credits each
Offices held in a professional engineering society:
1 credit per year
21. RETIRED CERTIFICATION STATUS
A CEA, upon retiring and reaching the age of sixty-five, will be designated as “CEA – Retired,” will no
longer be required to pay renewal fees, and will no longer be listed in our directory of actively practicing
CEAs. No further reporting is necessary except to notify the Certification Renewal Director of meeting the
age requirement by sending a copy of the retired CEA’s Driver’s License.
22. RECERTIFICATION OF CEA
Certified Professionals who do not acquire sufficient CEA maintenance points to be recertified on the
recertification date will be dropped from active certifications and notified in writing of suspension from
using the CEA designation. They will also no longer be listed as a CEA in any AEE publication. A lapsed
CEA has to resubmit to the certification process and successfully meet the criteria for certification by
personal data information and examination.
23. REQUEST FOR DUPLICATE CERTIFICATE
Any certified professional may request additional copies of his or her certification document. Requests
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 8 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
must be made in writing to AEE and may be made at any time. The fee of $20 must be included with the
request. The request for a duplicate certificate form can be found at [Link]/certification/CEA.
24. USE OF CEA DESIGNATION
The certificate mark and logo are the property of AEE. Permission to use the certification mark or logo is
granted to certified persons at the discretion of the AEE’s CEA Board, for permissible uses only. As a
Certified Energy Auditor™ (CEA®), the Energy Auditor may use the designation with his/her name on
organization letterheads, business cards, certain internet listings and forms of address. The Energy
Auditor may be required to surrender the certificate in the event that it is revoked or suspended
Certification is for individuals only. The CEA designation may not be used to imply that an organization,
company or firm is certified. AEE does not endorse or recommend any individual CEA, product or
service. Improper usage of CEA or AEE logo may result in suspension. If you have questions about usage
of the CEA designation, please contact AEE.
Sample Correct Usage (Signature or Business Card):
John A. Smith, P.E., C.E.A. / Mary Jones, B.E.P., C.E.A.
Web Usage:
John A. Smith is an individual member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and is a Certified Energy Auditor™ (CEA®).
Incorrect Usage:
ABC Company is Certified by AEE.
Correct Usage:
- ABC Company has many Certified Energy Auditors -CEAs® on its staff.
- ABC Company is looking for a Certified Energy Auditor candidate for a position.
- John Smith, President of ABC Company, is an individual member of the Association of Energy Engineers and is a Certified Energy
Auditor (CEA), Certified Carbon Reduction Professional (CRM) and Certified Sustainable Development Professional (CSDP).
- ABC Company is a Corporate Member of the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and has five current Certified Energy Auditors
(CEA) on staff including…….
John Smith is an individual: Corporate Member of:
Link to [Link]/certification Link to [Link]
25. CEA STAMP
As the CEA designation becomes a requirement for more jobs and projects, AEE is pleased to announce
the availability of an official stamp that will authenticate your status as a CEA in good standing. The
stamp will include your name, your CEA ID number, and the expiration date of your CEA. Stamp is self-
inking with dark blue ink. Download the order form at [Link]/ceastamp. Price: $50 (includes
shipping)/ Electronic Version: $15 (only available as an add-on to $50 stamp)
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.
AEE International CEA Candidate Version No: 1.5 Effective Date: 9/7/2018
Handbook Approved by: Francine Seskin
Page 9 of 9 Approved on: 9/4/2018 Supersedes: 1.4
26. PROGRAM DISPUTES AND SUBMISSION OF PROGRAM COMPLAINTS
Individuals with disputes regarding the assessments, personnel, certificants or other elements of the certification
program are encouraged to discuss these with the individuals involved to try to resolve the matter
informally. In some cases, however, informal resolution is not possible, and individuals may wish to file a
formal complaint. A complaint shall be submitted in writing using the Complaint Submission Form, available
from the CEM/CEA Director upon request, and submitting it to the CEM/CEA Director within 90 days of the
incident’s occurrence. The submission may be mailed, emailed, or faxed. The submission shall include
sufficient objective evidence to substantiate the claims and allow for a decision to be made and the appropriate
action to be taken. Dissatisfaction based on hearsay shall not be considered as a complaint.
Copyright © 2017 Association of Energy Engineers. All rights reserved.