1. Get Certified
Celebrate Your Career

2. Presentation Overview
What is CPCE?
Goals
Benefits
Competencies
Application
Scholarships
Resources
Exam
Recertification
Q&A
Agenda

3. what is CPCE? Certified Professional in Catering and Events
Established in 1986
Industry’s only comprehensive certification program that encompasses catering and events
A variety of industry professionals are eligible to apply
NACE, The National Association for Catering and Events, administers the CPCE certification and is the oldest and largest catering and events association in the world
CPCE stands for Certified Professional in Catering and Events
Certification established in 1986 by NACE and has developed substantially throughout the years to keep up with current industry standards and trends.
NACE changed the name of the certification from Certified Professional Catering Executive to Certified Professional in Catering and Events in 2012 to make the certification name more relevant to the industry as a whole
The industry’s only comprehensive certification program that encompasses catering and events
Although the exam tests the expertise of caterers and event planners, a variety of industry professionals are eligible to apply, as long as they meet the application requirements.

4. Who manages the program?
NACE National Board
NACE Certification Committee
NACE Staff
Anne Harper, Programs and Operations Director
Crystal Irwin, Program Coordinator (part-time)
The NACE National Board is the governing body of the association. The board meets a minimum of four times per year to review strategic objectives, review progress on initiatives and renew their vision for the future. 
The NACE Certification Committee is a group of NACE members who work together to offer the NACE national board guidance on programs and policies pertaining to the CPCE Program, including exam writing and future competency changes. You must be a CPCE to serve on the Certification Committee.
The NACE Staff manage the program for the association including application approval, exam scheduling, payment processing, supporting changes, technology updates and answering questions.

5. Goals of CPCE Nationally recognized standard of competence
Professional commitment to excellence
Educational offerings
Identify qualified personnel
Enhanced professional image
Personal achievement and career advancement
The goals of the CPCE program are to:
Establish a nationally recognized standard of competence in catering and events
Promote professional commitment to excellence in catering and events.
Endorse active participation in educational offerings that support the continued competency of Certified Professionals in Catering and Events.
Aid employers in identifying qualified catering and events personnel.
Enhance the professional image of the catering and events industry professionals.
Provide a sense of personal achievement for the advancement of one’s career

6. benefits of CPCE Gain recognition Showcase your mark of distinction
Increased compensation and promotions
Commitment to the catering and events industry
Skill improvement and refinement
Enhanced career success
Benefits of earning the CPCE include:
Mark of distinction in the industry – CPCE after your name and a certificate; Leads to recognition of your expertise to employers, consumers, and colleagues
Research has shown that adding “CPCE” to your name communicates professionalism and can strengthen your earning power 
Demonstrates commitment to the catering and events industry
Becoming certified assists in continually improving and refining your skills– more than 90% of CPCEs surveyed said the certification increased their confidence level at work
CPCEs enhance their overall potential for career success by improving professional performance through increased knowledge and confidence. CPCEs can also show potential customers that they can offer a high level of expertise and show their companies that they are devoted to their career

7. Core Competencies Accounting Beverage Management Catering Services
Contracts and Agreements
Event Management
Food Production
Human Resources
Sales and Marketing
The CPCE’s focus is on the body of knowledge required for professional success in catering and event planning. The exam encompasses the following core competencies:
Accounting
Beverage Management
Catering Services
Contracts and Agreements
Event Management
Food Production
Human Resources
Sales and Marketing

8. CPCE Application 3 years full-time professional experience
30 educational contact hours
To be eligible for the CPCE exam, you need to achieve 30 contact hours of continuing education from the past 5 years.
Applicants must meet the following requirements for employment experience.
Option One: Full-time position(s) as a professional in the catering and events industry, with the following requirements:
A minimum of 36 months of full-time experience -OR- 24 months of full-time experience in addition to a hospitality degree
Candidate must have been employed full-time in the catering and events industry within the past 12 months
Experience within the past 10 years may be listed OR
Option Two: Full-time position(s) as an instructor of catering and events, with the following requirements:
A minimum of 36 months of full-time experience in academia
Candidate must have been employed full-time in academia within the past 12 months
One year of professional experience in the catering and events industry. Experience may have taken place through a professional catering and events company or through candidate’s position in academia. There is no restriction on when this experience occurred.

9. Steps for Application Application – www.nace.net/cpce
Documentation –
Supervisor Verification Form
Payment – online with credit card
To apply, first visit This web page has valuable information, including a download for the Application Drafting Form. Use this form to draft your application. Then, when you’re ready, complete the CPCE Application also available as a download, and it to along with your education documentation and signed Supervisor Verification Form. Crystal Irwin will receive and process your application, answer any questions you may have, and provide a link for payment online or an invoice to include with a mailed check.

10. Documentation of Educational Contact Hours
Certificates: dated, with hours attended
Letters from sponsor organization or HR department
Registration confirmation with agenda
How do I document my continuing education?
NACE offers a CPCE contact Hour Form to help candidates document continuing education.
The form allows candidates to record each educational session they attend.
A signature from a representative at the session is required to verify attendance, along with a description of the educational session.
Download the form at CPCE page at nace.net.
Certificates must be dated and show the number of hours earned
Letters from your HR department or the sponsor organization also work
Another option - registration confirmation w/agenda that shows the number of hours of education

11. Pricing CPCE Application: $525 for members and non-members
Includes application processing and one sitting of the exam
This application fee does not include study tools
Exam retakes are available within one year of application approval for a rate of $200

12. Group Rates
NACE currently offers a discount of $100 off each application fee for groups of five or more
The group must submit applications together and pay together, with one candidate serving as primary contact for the group
If you have a group of 5 or more individuals that would like to take the CPCE together, we offer group rates.
$100 off each
The Group must submit applications and documentation through one point person and must pay together as a group

13. Scholarship Opportunities
Suttman Fund CPCE Scholarship
Timothy S Y Lam CPCE Scholarship
SUTTMAN
The Richard Suttman Fund was established to support NACE members interested in pursuing CPCE.  The Richard Suttman CPCE Scholarship includes:
Application fee for  NACE CPCE exam (must be taken within 12 months of receiving the award.) 
* This award covers does not cover exam retakes.   Who Can Apply? This fund was created as a need-based scholarship for NACE members in good standing who are facing a financial hardship that what would hinder the individual from paying for the CPCE exam. The applicant must have been in the industry full time for a minimum of three years. 
The application must be accompanied by two letters of recommendation from NACE members in good standing.
Applicants must submit a resume and an essay (no more than 1,000 words) explaining why you are pursuing your certification and how this fund will help you achieve this goal.
How to Apply  Review requirements and submit the application online by November 30. Please note: The CPCE Application will be  due to NACE within 90 days of winning this scholarship or you forfeit your scholarship.
LAM
The Timothy S Y Lam Foundation (TSYLF) has a special arrangement with NACE: Each candidate interested in applying for the CPCE Scholarship should visit download the forms needed for the application, and the completed forms to noting that the candidate is applying for this scholarship. NACE will coordinate payment of $100 with the candidate. Once you receive CPCE application approval, it should be submitted with your CPCE Scholarship application. TSYLF will pay the remaining $425 of the CPCE testing fee upon approval of the scholarship application. If a candidate’s scholarship application is not approved, the candidate will be responsible for the remainder of the CPCE application fee. 
This scholarship is for first time testing only—you cannot apply for retesting or re-certification. You must be at least 21 years old.  For questions please contact us at
CPCE Scholarship Application  Your completed application must include:
Resume
1 page essay  
Head shot for online and print promotions
Letter of Support
Click here to fill out and submit an application.
Application Schedule
Winter Full applications are due by: February 15 Grant decision meetings are held in the month of: March Notice of award or declination will be sent on or before: April 1
Spring Full applications are due by: May 15 Grant decision meetings are held in the month of: June Notice of award or declination will be sent on or before: July 1
Summer Full applications are due by: August 15 Grant decision meetings are held in the month of: September Notice of award or declination will be sent on or before: October1
Fall Full applications are due by: November 15 Grant decision meetings are held in the month of: December Notice of award or declination will be sent on or before: January 1
Blind reviews are used to determine scholarships. Your name is removed from your application, assigned a number, and graded by TSYLF's Board of Trustees. Each board member uses a 30 point rubric to grade your resume (4 points), letter of recommendation (4 points) your essay (20 points), and application completeness (2 points) for a total possible score of 90 points. Those with the highest scores will receive scholarship awards each quarter.

14. Study Tools and Resources
The Professional Reference Guide for the Catering and Event Industry
Food Safety Management Principles
Fast Track Online or Live
The Professional Reference Guide serves as the official study guide for the CPCE exam and a great resource for any industry professional.
It comes in an easy to read format divided into chapters by the core competencies.
The guide includes an overview of the concepts on the exam and discusses industry standards. The only core competency not covered is the Food Production competency.
Food Safety Management Principles is recommended reading for the Food Production section of the exam.
The Fast Track Course is offered online as well as live at NACE’s Experience Conference and other industry events. This provides 8 educational contact hours toward CPCE application and is tailored specifically to CPCE’s 8 core competencies.
For more information about these study resources, visit

15. Exam Format Exam Format
175 multiple choice questions in 8 core competencies
70% passing score
2.5 hours, immediate results
Schedule at your preferred time
Format
The exam is comprised of 175 multiple choice questions. Candidates are given 2.5 hours to take the online exam.
Scheduling
CPCE candidates have one year from application approval to schedule and take the exam. The online exam is scheduled by contacting The time, date, and location of the exam are flexible, and the candidate is given immediate results.
Online exams require a volunteer proctor. A current CPCE or a colleague that is not considered the candidate’s supervisor or subordinate may serve as an exam proctor. Approved proctors also include accredited college or university testing center staff, accredited college or university advisor or counselor or U.S. military base education officer.

16. Recertification Recertify every 5 years to maintain designation
30 educational contact hours within the past 5 years
$245 Fee
Emeritus Status
CPCEs must recertify every 5 years to maintain certification
As with initial application, recertification requires 30 educational contact hours within the past 5 years
Recertification does not require a retake of the exam, only documentation of educational contact hours, a recertification application completion, and $245 fee.
CPCEs who fail to recertify by their certification expiration date will lose the designation. If they desire to regain their CPCE, must complete the initial application process.
For CPCEs who have been in good standing for 10 or more years, and who are 60 or older, NACE offers Emeritus Status. Proof of age is required, as well as an essay and a fee. Emeritus CPCEs have earned lifetime certification, with no need to recertify.

17. Q&A www.nace.net cpce@nace.net
Questions? Any that cannot be answered here, please visit and feel free to reach out to Crystal Irwin or Anne Harper at
Thank you!