Why earn a credential?
A credential signals verified expertise to employers, boards and clients. The pay difference is measurable. In PCMA’s 2025 salary survey, meeting professionals holding the CMP averaged $132,370, compared with $117,780 for those without it, a premium of about 12 percent. Credential holders also stand out in hiring and promotion decisions, and renewal requirements keep their knowledge current across a career.
What does each credential open up?
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CAE
The standard for association leadership. It is the credential boards look for when hiring CEOs and senior staff, and many association job postings list it as preferred or required.
Register free -
CMP
The most widely held credential in the meetings industry. It opens doors in corporate, association and independent planning roles.
Register free -
CEM
The global standard in exposition and event management. It marks you as a specialist in producing trade shows and exhibitions, recognized across the industry worldwide.
Register free
Register free
Each overview is live on Zoom and earns one credit when you attend.
How do the CAE, CMP and CEM compare?
CAE Certified Association Executive | CMP Certified Meeting Professional | CEM Certified in Exhibition Management | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer | ASAE, the American Society of Association Executives. CAE certification at ASAE | EIC, the Events Industry Council. CMP program at EIC | IAEE, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events. CEM learning program at IAEE |
| Who typically earns it | Association executives, CEOs and senior staff | Meeting and event planners | Exhibition and trade show organizers |
| Exam period | Twice a year, in two-week windows in May and December | Year-round, by remote proctoring or at a test center | Year-round; each CEM course has its own exam, taken within 90 days of the course |
| Application fee | $500 members, $750 nonmembers (exam included) | $375 application plus $535 exam fee, both non-refundable | $125 members, $150 nonmembers, plus $329 to $380 per course for members ($470 to $635 for nonmembers) |
| Application requirements |
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| Renewal fee | $275 members, $425 nonmembers by Oct. 31; $350 and $500 after | From $335 | $150 |
| Renewal requirements | 40 credits every 3 years, including 1 ethics credit | 25 continuing education hours every 5 years | 15 credit hours every 3 years |
Confirm current details with each issuing organization.
Questions about credentials
Are the credential overviews free?
Yes, each credential overview is a free, one-hour session held live on Zoom. The overview explains how to qualify for and earn the credential it covers. Choose the session for the credential you are pursuing, and register at no cost. Attending live also matters if you want to earn credit.
Do the overviews earn credit?
Yes, attending an overview live earns one credit. This applies to the CAE, CMP and CEM overviews, with one exception to note: CMP credit for the CMP Overview is pending approval. Each session is one hour and takes place live on Zoom, and the credit is earned by attending live.
When are the 2027 overviews?
The 2027 credential overviews are scheduled for 1 to 2 p.m. ET. The CAE Overview is Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2027, and the CMP Overview is Wednesday, March 24, 2027. The CEM Overview follows on Wednesday, May 26, 2027. All three are live one-hour sessions.
Who issues the CAE, CMP and CEM?
ASAE, the American Society of Association Executives, issues the Certified Association Executive (CAE) credential. The Events Industry Council (EIC) issues the Certified Meeting Professional (CMP). IAEE, the International Association of Exhibitions and Events, issues the Certified in Exhibition Management (CEM). Confirm current details with each issuing organization.
How do I keep my CAE current?
To keep your CAE current, earn 40 credits every three years, including one ethics credit, and pay the renewal fee. Confirm current details with ASAE, the organization that issues the CAE, before relying on the renewal requirements or fee. The credit total and ethics credit are part of the stated requirements.
Do Association Academy courses count toward these credentials?
Yes, every live Association Academy certificate course earns CAE credit, and some courses also earn CMP or CEM credit. The credits available depend on the course, so check the individual course page to see which credential credits apply. This lets you confirm the credit information for a course before attending it.