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.

AEE's 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 for BEP certification 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.
  --OR --
  
• A four-year non-technical degree from accredited university with at least three years experience in business / marketing / management / sales in the energy field.
  --OR --
  
• A two-year technical degree from an accredited college with at least five years experience in business / marketing / management / sales in the energy field.
  --OR --
  
• Eight years of experience in business / marketing / management / sales in the energy field.
  --OR --
  
• The current status of Certified Energy Manager (CEM®).

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 and Training Requirement
All BEP candidates must attend one of AEE's preparatory BEP training seminars, and complete and pass the four-hour written BEP examination, proctored by an AEE-approved exam administrator. Information on seminar training options is provided below. The examination questions are based on concepts and experiences basic to business/marketing and energy management on recognized tests, and on supplemental reading, covering such subjects as codes and standards, energy fundamentals, energy audits, energy economics, metering issues, performance contracting and project financing, measurement and verification, energy-efficient equipment and applications, building systems, and procurement of energy.

The exam is open book, and questions are a mixture of multiple choice and true/false. A passing score of at least 70% is required in conjunction with meeting all other eligibility requirements to become certified.

Fees
Fees for the BEP certification process are as follows:

• Certification Application and Examination:
  • $200 if exam is taken in conjunction with AEE's 5-day live BEP training seminar
  • $300 if exam is taken at an ACT remote testing center following completion of AEE's realtime online BEP training seminar
• Seminar Registration:
  • Live Seminar Option: $1595 for AEE members / $1795 for non-AEE members
  • Realtime Online Seminar Option: $995 for AEE members / $1095 for non-AEE members

These fees must be paid at the time the BEP application and the seminar registration are submitted.

How to Apply for BEP Certification

STEP ONE:
REGISTER FOR THE AEE BEP TRAINING SEMINAR OF YOUR CHOICE
All BEP candidates are required to complete either the Comprehensive 5-Day Training Program for Business Energy Professionals live seminar at one of its scheduled locations, or the web-based seminar, Fast Track BEP Certification Training Course for Business Energy Professionals (12 hours in 6 two-hour online sessions) offered several times each year.

Note: Registering for the seminar does not automatically register you for the BEP exam. After completing your seminar registration, return to this page, and go to STEP TWO. The links below will take you to seminar course information, current schedules and access to online seminar registration:

STEP TWO:
COMPLETE YOUR BEP CERTIFICATION/EXAM APPLICATION
After you have completed your seminar registration, click the link below to complete your BEP Certification/Exam application:

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.

Activities Applicable as Credits for BEP Renewal:

Continued employment in a business/marketing and energy management position	1 credit per year
Membership in a professional engineering society	1 credit per year (3 max)
Continuing education in business/marketing and energy management	4 credits per: - CEU earned (e.g.,1.6 CEU=3.2 credits) or - 10 contact hours (must be submitted for approval)

The above serves as a guideline for the 10 credits to be accumulated during each three-year renewal period.  A reminder form will be sent during the year your BEP certification expires.  Please keep a file of your credits to assist with completing this form.

Certification Renewal Fee
A fee of $200 will be billed to you for each 3-year renewal of your certification. If AEE does not receive your paid renewal by your renewal date, your reinstatement status will be assessed, and if in good standing, a reinstatement fee of $50 in addition to the renewal fee will be required for reinstatement of your certification. In some cases in may be necessary to retake the certification exam. Please be sure to inform AEE if your address changes, as failure to do so may delay your receipt of your renewal notice.

Lifetime Certification
An actively certified BEP, upon retiring and reaching the age of sixty-two, 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 your 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.

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.

For Additional Information About BEP Certification...
If you have any questions about BEP certification, or if you prefer to receive your Business Energy Professional Application Package by mail, please write, call or email:

Helen Ardavin, BEP Certification Director
Association of Energy Engineers
4025 Pleasantdale Road, Suite 420
Atlanta, GA 30340
(770) 447-5083, ext. 218
email: Helen@aeecenter.org