What is a Certified Cost Consultant (CCC)/Certified Cost Engineer (CCE)?
Since 1976, AACE’s CCC/CCE has recognized several thousand certified individuals as Certified Cost Consultant / Certified Cost Engineer. AACE’s CCC/CCE is independently accredited by the Council of Engineering & Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB). The intent is to recognize specialists who meet a demanding set of cost and management criteria by a rigorous examination, experience, education and ethical qualifications. The CCC/CCE requirements reflect the sophistication of individuals in today's cost and management industry and it fairly measures their knowledge, experience and adherence to best management practices.
CCC/CCE certification distinguishes cost and management professionals who have the knowledge and skills that impact the bottom line. AACE certification ensures a high quality standard.
Summary of CCC/CCE Certification Process
Candidates for the CCC/CCE designation must meet these minimum requirements:
- Experience requirements
At least 8 full years of professional experience, of which up to 4 years may be substituted by a college/university degree. Related degrees include: engineering, building construction, construction technology, business, economics, accounting, construction management, architecture, computer science, mathematics, etc.
Please note that AACE cannot accept your resume/vitae as verification of employment or your degree.
Verification of work can simply be a short paragraph from your supervisor stating how long you have worked there and a brief description of your duties. If you are unable to contact a previous employer, we will accept a statement from your current employer that they did check your previous employment and verifying what they found. If you are self-employed, you can write a short paragraph explaining your work situation and then have the signature notarized.
To verify a degree, we will accept a copy of your diploma or transcripts from the awarding college/university.
- Submit Application Instructions and fees
There are three steps in making a complete application for the CCC/CCE exam: Apply & Make Payment, Submit Supporting Documentation and Submit Technical Paper & Affidavit.
- STEP ONE: All candidates must apply and make payment online or submit a downloadable application with payment information provided.
Certification fees are US$500 for AACE Members, and US$625 for Non-Members. All fees are non-refundable.
- STEP TWO: All candidates must submit experience/education verification documentation* to AACE Certification Staff.
*Please note: if you are retesting, chances are you will not have to resubmit your eligibility verification documentation. If you want to be sure, please contact certificationsubmittals@aacei.org.
- STEP THREE: All candidates must submit a required MS Word formatted 2,500 minimum word technical paper and affidavit to AACE Certification staff.
After we have received ALL of your information to complete an application, it will take approximately 45 days to properly verify your eligibility to sit for our exam and enroll you in the program. Once you have been cleared to sit for the exam and enrolled, you will receive instructions on how to schedule your examination with our computer based testing (CBT) vendor, Kryterion and an access voucher code valid for 6 months.
NOTE THE FOLLOWING:
- You will have one month from the date of registration to submit all required verification documentation and any other requisite submissions. Failure to provide the information will result in denial to sit for the examination and will require you to reapply, paying full fees again. All fees are non-refundable.
- Once you are cleared to sit for an exam, you will have 6 months, from the date of clearance, to take the exam with the access voucher code given. If you have not successfully passed the exam within six months, or six months have expired without taking the exam, you will be required to begin the process again, including paying full fees.
- Pass the examination
To become a CCC/CCE, an overall passing score of 70% must be achieved in the multiple choice exam
AND a 70% score for the technical paper, as determined by the Certification Board.
- Designation
In accordance with our accreditation by The Council of Scientific and Engineering Boards (CESB), a CCC or CCE designation is awarded based upon a candidate’s education/experience. The most common designation is CCC, but guidelines state a CCE designation is awarded to those with a baccalaureate, or master, engineering degree, by an EAC/ABET accredited university. A candidate cannot select a designation; it is awarded based upon the CESB guidelines. Please be sure to read CCC-CCE Designation Guidelines document located in the links area (on the right side) for more detailed information.
It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure they have met the experience requirements prior to submission. AACE reserves the right to deny any candidate if it has been determined, after review of documentation, they are not eligible to sit for the exam. By registering and submitting payment you are claiming you have met the minimum requirements to take the exam. All fees are non-refundable.
EXAM STRUCTURE
The CCC/CCE exam contains two components: the multiple choice written exam and the 2,500
word technical paper. Both components must meet the minimum overall score of 70% in order to successfully pass the exam.
- MULTIPLE CHOICE EXAM: The exam is delivered through computer based testing (CBT) and is comprised of multiple-choice and compound, scenario questions. The topics covered in the exam are: Basic Cost Engineering Skills & Knowledge, Economic Analysis, Project Management, and Cost Estimating and Control.
- TECHNICAL PAPER: The Certification Board recommends your technical paper topic be something with which you are already familiar, such as a project you have done at work or something in which you have acquired a great deal of expertise in your professional career. The chosen topic is not as important as your ability to communicate through your paper. Be sure to follow the recommendations described in the
Certification Paper Requirements (How to Write a Technical Paper) guide.
The exam is closed book, but an onscreen formula sheet is accessible during the exam, if needed. Candidates are also permitted to bring any style of calculator, including programmable calculators, to use during the exam.
If you want to know what our CBT exam will look like, please view the CBT Certification Exam Tutorial by selecting the link on the right hand side.
Recommended texts for study for CCC/CCE:
Most recommended texts, available in our Online Store:
As your career advances, CCC/CCE goes with you
The CCC/CCE designation is versatile. It is a mark of distinction. As with any specialty certification, a primary concern is to ensure that all credentials are always up to date. That is why the program requires you to recertify every 3 years by either professional credit plan or re-testing. The recertification program is designed to ensure that you have maintained continued expertise through work experience, continuing education, professional development, and active involvement in the profession |
|
|
