The Application Form

Why is the application such a big deal?
The application documents your professional and educational background, achievements, and association leadership experience. Candidates need 75 hours of broad-based, association management continuing education or professional development within the last five years. You will remain eligible to sit for the CAE exam for three years after your application is accepted. If you are unsuccessful on the CAE exam, you will remain eligible until successful completion.

Not everybody is willing to dedicate the time to assemble all the information required in the application. Some view it as a weeding out process. Only the most committed individuals (those who really want their CAE) complete and file the application.

Application sections and point values
Accumulating hours to sit for the CAE exam is easy.  Here's a list of hour ratings for continuing education (either face-to-face or online education).  Please use these hour ratings in the appropriate portions of the application.

Program length	Hour rating
1 hour	01
2 hours	02
3 hours or half-day	03
6 hours or full day	06

How long does the application take to complete?
The CAE application process can take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to complete. The time required depends on your ability to track the accomplishments of your career. It is advisable to allow plenty of time to complete the application. One reason why many qualified association executives do not go for their CAE is they wait until the last minute to complete the application form, realize it takes a lot of work and decide to wait until next year.

What type of information does the application seek?

The application form records your accomplishments in the areas of:

• Years of experience in the association management profession
• Formal education
• Association management continuing education (as it relates to association management). You'll be asked to record your attendance at ASAE and Association Forum meetings, as well as other continuing education programs that help you in your career.

When is the application due?
The CAE application is always due (postmarked) on the first Tuesday of February for the Spring exam date and by the first Tuesday in September for the Fall exam date.

What if I'm real close and don't know if I have enough points?
Whether you meet the requirements or fall short, now is a good time to start thinking about the CAE. If you have the points (or are close) complete and submit an application, and follow the steps outlined above.

Candidates will learn if they have enough points to take the examination within six weeks of submitting their application. Scores are kept for three years; you may resubmit an updated application to take the examination in the following year, but may not take the examination in the current year if you are denied sufficient points. You may, however, appeal the application to the CAE Commission.

If you have a way to go, it's still a good idea to get the application form and fill it out to date. You can develop a strategy about getting the necessary points.  Update the application form with each career achievement. You'll always know how many points you need and can monitor your progress.