The Society’s Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCE/A) program provides a professional credential to qualified SCEA members and nonmembers. The certification attests to the holder’s mastery of the basic concepts and methods comprising the cost estimating and analysis disciplines. Certified individuals 1) demonstrate nominal levels of training and work experience and 2) pass a written exam testing their knowledge and skills¾see the exam eligibility requirements and the exam information document for more information.

Procedures to Apply for the Certification Exam

Upon determination by an applicant that they are eligible¾see the exam eligibility requirements¾the
applicant must complete the certification exam application and send it to: 

Director of Certification
SCEA National Office
101 South Whiting Street, Suite 201
Alexandria, VA 22304 

The fee for the examination is $85 for members and for military and government nonmembers; and $135.00 for other non-members. The fee is payable at the time the completed application is submitted. 

$50.00 of the exam fee is refundable should an applicant withdraw their application prior to the date of the exam, fail to take the exam at the appointed time, or fail to meet the exam eligibility requirements, as determined by the Society Certification Committee.

Certification exam application

Prepare for the Certification Exam

Prepare for the exam by reviewing the Body of Knowledge, the Exam Information document, and the sample exam questions.

Recertification Program

The Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst award is valid for five years. The Society has, therefore, established a Recertification Program to permit the continued certification of estimators and analysts. Recertification may be achieved in either of two ways - by passing successfully the regular Certified Cost  Estimator/Analyst examination or by earning a prescribed number of points in specified cost estimating and analysis activities over the five year period since the last certification or recertification.

If a certified member wishes to achieve recertification by examination the procedures described above for 
initial certification apply, except that the member is automatically eligible to take the examination regardless 
of education and experience requirements that apply for candidates who wish to take the examination for the 
first time. The same test will be taken for either certification or recertification.

Recertification based on earned points may be requested within the period extending from six months before 
the fifth anniversary of the last certification/recertification to six months after it. Complete the application for recertification.  The Director of Recertification will grant recertification if the applicant has obtained
at least 30 points in appropriate cost estimator/analyst activities.

Fees  The procedures are the same as for applicants who apply to take the test for the first time.  The fee for recertification-by-testing is $85 for members and for military and government nonmembers; and $135.00 for other non-members. The fee for recertification-by-points is $50 for members and for military and government nonmembers; and $75.00 for other non-members. Any recertification fee can be paid by either check or credit card.  We accept American Express, Visa and Master Card.

Application for recertification-by-points

Other Examination Details 

Certification Committee Review  Upon receipt of an application to take the examination, the Certification Committee will determine whether an applicant qualifies under the provisions of one of the eligibility options. The decision by the Committee will be final. If an applicant is not qualified to take the test, the application and $75.00 of the fee will be returned with an explanation by the Committee of its action. An applicant may resubmit their application at any time with additional information for reconsideration. The fee for first-time resubmission is $50.00.

Examination Schedule  The certification examination is administered each year at the SCEA National Educational Conference & Workshop and in the spring and fall by the chapters of the Society. It may also be given at other times as specified by the Director of Certification. An applicant should indicate their preference for an examination site with the completed application. Upon acceptance of the application by the Certification Committee, an applicant will be advised of the examination schedule at the selected site and of administrative matters, including location, time, and points of contact.

Completed Certification Examination  The chapters of the Society administer the examination and proctor exams for the Certification Committee. Completed exams are sealed and returned to the Committee for scoring. 

Notification of Examination Results  Within sixty days after an applicant takes the examination they will be notified of the results in writing by the Director of Certification. Successful applicants will be issued certificates in accordance with the applicants request. Unsuccessful applicants may retake the failed part of the examination two additional times for a reduced fee of $50.00 for each time. After three failures a candidate must apply for and retake the exam in its entirety for a fee of $85 for members for and military and government nonmembers; and $135.00 for non-members. 

Lost Certificate  The fee for replacing a lost or damaged certificate is $25.00.