Issued by: Association of Energy Engineers (AEE)
The gold standard credential for commercial energy management professionals. Required or preferred by most major ESCOs, facility management firms, and government energy programs worldwide.
The CEM (Certified Energy Manager) is issued by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and is widely recognized as the gold standard credential for energy management professionals. It demonstrates proficiency in energy auditing, engineering analysis, energy management planning, and financial analysis of energy projects.
Over 20,000 professionals worldwide hold the CEM designation, making it the most widely-held dedicated energy management credential in the industry. AEE has been issuing the CEM since 1981, giving it decades of market recognition and trust.
Issuing Body: Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) — a nonprofit professional society with members in 108 countries. AEE also offers related credentials including the Certified Energy Auditor (CEA), Certified Measurement and Verification Professional (CMVP), and Certified Business Energy Professional (BEP).
The CEM is the most commonly listed required or preferred credential in commercial energy job postings and RFP requirements. Large corporations, government agencies, ESCOs (Energy Service Companies), and facility management firms use CEM as a minimum screening criterion.
It signals that a professional can identify energy-saving opportunities, build the financial case for capital investment, and manage the implementation process — the complete commercial cycle from audit through project delivery and ongoing optimization.
Federal energy management procurement guidelines explicitly reference CEM as a qualifying credential for energy service contract work. Many utility demand response and incentive programs require CEM-credentialed professionals to sign off on energy calculations and savings projections.
Commercial signal: When a client sees CEM on a proposal, it communicates that the professional understands both the technical and financial dimensions of energy projects — exactly what procurement teams and facility directors need to justify capital expenditures.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-based, 4 hours, 180 multiple-choice questions |
| Passing Score | Approximately 70% (126 of 180 questions) |
| Topics Covered | Energy auditing, lighting, HVAC, boilers/steam, motors, energy economics & finance, alternative energy, energy management program administration |
| Cost (AEE Members) | $435 |
| Cost (Non-Members) | $595 |
| AEE Annual Membership | ~$165–$195 (joining often saves money overall) |
| Testing Centers | Prometric testing centers (nationwide) or online proctored |
| Application Processing | 2–4 weeks |
| Exam Scheduling | Within 60 days of eligibility approval |
| Results | Preliminary pass/fail at end of exam; official results within 2–3 weeks |
The CEM follows a 3-year renewal cycle. Certified professionals must earn 30 Professional Development Hours (PDHs) or pass the CEM exam again to renew. PDHs can be earned through AEE-sponsored conferences (such as World Energy Engineering Congress), AEE online courses, and AEE-approved training programs offered by partner organizations.
AEE provides a PDH tracking system for CEM holders. Common renewal activities include attending regional AEE chapter events, completing manufacturer-sponsored technical webinars, and presenting at AEE conferences — all of which may qualify for PDH credit.
The CEM is explicitly required or preferred by many of the largest organizations in the commercial energy sector:
CEM is also listed in federal energy management procurement requirements and is a common minimum requirement for facility energy manager roles at Fortune 500 companies managing large real estate portfolios.
The CEM certification is administered exclusively by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE). All applications, exam scheduling, and renewals are handled through AEE's official certification portal.
Official AEE CEM Certification Page:
https://www.aeecenter.org/certifications/programs/cem
AEE also maintains a publicly searchable directory of current CEM holders, which commercial clients can use to verify credentials.
Professionals often pair the CEM with complementary credentials that signal deeper technical or domain-specific expertise:
EnergyStackHub does not independently verify certifications. We link to official verification resources. Commercial clients should independently verify any certifications claimed by professionals. Verify CEM credentials directly with AEE →
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