The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with UC Davis University Extension (UCDE) to advance the knowledge and professionalism in the field of energy management. As an adjunct to the Certified Energy Manager (CEM®) and Business Energy Professional (BEP® program and , the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) is pleased to be an official sponsor of the U.C. Davis University Energy Resource Management Certificate program. This initiative aims at enhancing student's involvement and increases their role in the growing energy management discipline. The course will serve as a solid foundation for students to move towards obtaining their CEM or BEP Certification. For more information on the U.C. Davis certificate program CLICK HERE. UC Davis Extension is the professional and continuing education branch of UC Davis and is a link to the many resources students can only get from the University of California.

CERTIFIED BUSINESS ENERGY PROFESSIONAL (BEP) program awards special recognition to those business/marketing and energy professionals who have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical fitness for business/marketing and energy management related disciplines, as well as laws governing and affecting energy professionals.

OBJECTIVES
To raise the professional standards of those engaged in business/marketing, energy management, utility account management and customer service representative.

To improve the practice of energy management by encouraging energy business professionals in a continuing education program of professional development.

To identify persons with acceptable knowledge of the principles and practices of business/marketing and energy management related disciplines and laws governing and affecting energy professionals through completing an examination and fulfilling prescribed standards of performance and conduct.

To award special recognition to those business/marketing and energy professionals who have demonstrated a high level of competence and ethical fitness for business/marketing and energy management.

ELIGIBILITY
The candidate must have one of the following:

• A four-year degree from an accredited university or college in business/marketing, engineering or architecture, or be a registered Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Registered Architect (R.A.). In addition, the applicant must have at least two years of experience in business/marketing/management/sales in the energy field.
• A four-year non-technical degree with at least three years experience in business/marketing/management/sales in the energy field.
• A two-year technical degree with at least five years experience in business/marketing/management/sales in the energy field.
• Eight years of experience in business/marketing/management/sales in the energy field.
• The current status of Certified Energy Manager (CEM®).

THE REQUIRED BODY OF KNOWLEDGE
The effective practice of business/marketing and energy management in the energy field requires in-depth knowledge of a wide variety of subjects. However, the candidate need only demonstrate to the satisfaction of the certification board the knowledge and ability to apply the essentials of business/marketing and energy management. To aid candidates in preparing for the examination, the certification board makes available a bibliography of suggested reference materials and a study guide.

Examination Requirement
To be awarded the BEP designation, candidates must achieve a pass rate of 70% on the examination. Examination scores are kept on file by the certification director for a period of three years. Applicants that do not receive certification status can request that their applications be resubmitted to the BEP Board, if during that three-year period their education or experience level changes.

The examination will be administered by the Association of Energy Engineers.

The applicant must complete the written exam. The applicant is given four hours to complete the exam. Dates and locations are determined by the BEP Board. Candidates are notified of this information by the BEP Director. The examination questions are based on concepts and experiences basic to business/marketing and energy management on recognized tests, and on supplemental reading. The exam is open book! An examination administrator will proctor the examination. This administrator may be an AEE executive, an educator, a testing expert or agency, or whomever the certification board deems appropriate. The questions will be multiple choice and true/false.

Grading is accomplished by the BEP Director. Examinations are identified by number rather than by the candidate name to assure confidentiality and objective grading.
The written BEP examination deals with such subjects as:

• Codes & Standards
• Energy Fundamentals
• Energy Audits
• Energy Economics
• Metering
• Performance Contracting/Financing
• Measurement & Verification
• Energy Efficient Equipment & Applications
• Building Systems
• Procurement of Energy

Schedule of Upcoming Examinations and Testing Sites
All BEP examinations are scheduled in conjunction with AEE's BEP preparatory seminar programs. Taking a seminar is not required for certification, but these programs are offered as a convenience for those who which to brush up on the basics in preparation for exam. The following links will take you to information and current schedules for these programs:

MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION
The continued education of professionals is essential to enable them to cope with rapidly changing conditions. Therefore, to remain certified as a Certified Business Energy Professional, you must accumulate eight professional credits every three years and submit a completed recertification form to the certification director. Each BEP reaches recertification date on the fourth January 1st following the date appearing on the certificate attesting to certification. Professional credits for recertification, can be accumulated any time from the date certification is received to the October immediately preceding the recertification date. Example: Professionals certified by examination and receiving a certification during 2000, file a record of eight professional points with the certification director by October 31, 2003. These professionals all reach recertification on January 1, 2004.

Activities Applicable as Credits for BEP Renewal:

LIFETIME CERTIFICATION
A BEP, upon retiring and reaching the age of sixty-two and retired is certified for life. No further reporting is necessary except to notify the certification director of meeting the age requirement by sending a copy of driver's license.

SUSPENSION or REVOCATION OF CERTIFICATION
Certification will be terminated for professionals who do not accumulate the required professional credits, unless, in the judgment of the certification board, extenuating circumstances exist and the deficiency can be readily overcome. The certification board reserves the right to revoke certification due to professional unethics.

REINSTATEMENT OF BEP
Professionals who do not acquire sufficient BEP maintenance points to be recertified on recertification date will be notified in writing of suspension from using the BEP designation and will no longer be listed as a BEP in any AEE publication until such time that the professional:

• Resubmits to the certification process and successfully meets the criteria for certification by personal data information and examination or,
• Acquires make-up points at a cumulative total, equal to 3.5 per year for every year since original date of certification.
  

FEES
An Application fee of $200.00 is payable with the filing of the application. This includes the BEP application ($100.00) and the first-time BEP examination fee ($100.00).

Renewal Fee
For each three-year renewal, the fee will be $200.00. The reinstatement fee will also be $200.00. No refunds allowed.

USE OF BEP DESIGNATION
A Certified Business Energy Professional (BEP) may use the designation with name on organization letterhead, business cards, and all forms of address.

Certification is for individuals only. The BEP designation may not be used to imply that an organization or firm is certified.

Click here if you woud like to apply for the BEP Certification.