CEP Requirements

The CEP is currently offered for professionals providing educational planning for students and families in several areas. These include college counselors in the school setting, Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) focusing on college admission, IECs focusing on admission to boarding or day schools and IECs focusing on placement into therapeutic schools and programs.

To initially receive the CEP an individual must:

• Possess a master’s degree or higher in a relevant field (or demonstrate extensive comparable experience including relevant certificate programs);
• Have substantial experience in the profession (typically four to five years);
• Have continued their professional development through conferences, workshops, webinars, and institutes;
• Demonstrate professional commitment through membership and leadership in relevant associations;
• Contribute to the profession through mentoring, speaking engagements, articles, and volunteer commitments;
• Have conducted evaluative visits to a minimum of 30 appropriate educational institutions in the last five years;
• Pass a rigorous board-certified assessment; 
• Pledge adherence to the AICEP Principles of Good Practice.

To retain the credential, the CEP must be recertified 

every five years by:

• Conducting a minimum of 70 evaluative visits to appropriate educational institutions during those five years;
• Participating in a minimum of 70 hours of continuing professional development during those five years;
• Continuing to adhere to the AICEP Principles of Good Practice.