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CPEA Recertification by Point Submission

A Diplomate recertifies using CM Point/Hours submission by meeting the minimum requirements as listed in the next section. CPEAs must complete 100 hours of CM activities over a 5-year cycle in order to meet BGC requirements. CM credit in ethics is required in Category 4, but all the other Categories are optional, providing a flexible, customizable way for the Diplomate to accrue the required overall CM Point/Hours. Each category is further explained in “Point Categories” under “Recertifying by Points,” by clicking on the menu on the right-hand side of this page.

  • CPEA Category 1 – Active EHS Auditing Practice
  • CPEA Category 2 – EHS Auditing Technical or Professional Committee Service
  • CPEA Category 3 – Publication of EHS Auditing Papers or Books
  • CPEA Category 4 – Attendance at Educational Programs
  • CPEA Category 5 – Teaching/Presenting EHS Auditing
  • CPEA Category 7 – Other Approved EHS Auditing Activities

Minimum Point Requirements (for Recertification by CM Point/Hour Submission)

During a CM cycle, Diplomates must accrue the minimum amount of CM credit in order to be recertified. There is no maximum number of overall recertification hours that can be earned during a CM cycle. There are a few maximums in some of the individual categories (see “Point Categories” under “Recertifying by Points”). Diplomates can check their CM cycle on the BGC website.

CM Cycle Length Category 4 – Points (Hours) Overall Hours1
EHS Auditing Ethics2
60 Months No Minimum 2 hours 100 hours

1Category 4 hours count toward the Overall points.

Diplomates can submit more than 100 credit hours, but they are not required if the first 100 points meet all requirements. Excess points cannot be transferred to another recertification cycle.

CM Point/Hour Submission Process

CM point submission (attestation) is available through the BGC website. BGC will only accept CM worksheets that have been issued by BGC. Diplomates are expected to follow the most current CM rules as posted on the BGC website.

  1. Each CPEA must submit a signed Attestation Form before the end of the recertification cycle to comply with recertification requirements. You can find the end of your recertification cycle on the BGC website.
  2. Unless you have been selected for an audit, you do not need to include supporting documents. BGC will issue a printed certificate to each CPEA meeting the requirements. Additionally, BGC will provide a public listing of your credential status and provide a badge that links to your current status.
  3. Each CPEA must maintain a copy of the recertification attestation form, along with all supporting documentation, for at least one certification cycle (5 years). Records must be made available to BGC for verification upon request. The records maintained by the CPEA in support of the attestation form filed with BGC should include the following information, as appropriate to the activity:
    • Title of program and/or description of content.
    • Dates attended.
    • Location of course or program.
    • Sponsoring organization.
    • Contact hours of credit as recommended by the course sponsor.
    • A letter, certificate, or other written independent attestation of course completion.
    • Documentation supporting publications, oral presentations, and committee or other participation

BGC sends several reminder communications during the last 6 months of the CM cycle. During this time period, it is important that the Diplomate’s contact information is up to date.

Submissions (attestations) should be completed at the end of the CM cycle according to the reporting calendar (listed in next section). Diplomates can check their CM cycle Due Date by checking the BGC website. (Note: The expiration date on the Diplomate’s paper certificate is not the CM Cycle End Date or CM Point Submission Due Date.)

Activities claimed on the submission (attestation) must be supported through a written impartial record. If a written, objective record is not available, the Diplomate should not list the item on the worksheet. Examples of satisfactory records are listed in each of the category sections (see “Point Categories” under “Recertifying by Points”). CM Point Submissions are initially submitted without proof-of-participation records.

Submissions (attestations) are reviewed in the order in which they are received. The review process can take 4 weeks. Allow ample time if you need to align your BGC re-certification with other certifications. There is no charge for reviewing submissions; however, if a Diplomate is in fees arrears, the submission will not be processed until the fees are paid.

BGC reviews each submission to assure that the minimum requirements are achieved. BGC will contact the Diplomate if the minimums are not achieved or if there is anything unclear or missing on the submission. CM credit earned in excess of the minimum requirements does not earn extra credit nor does it carry over to a future CM cycle.

Being re-certified does not mean that everything listed on the submission was acceptable for CM points. If a Diplomate has questions about what was or was not acceptable (for purposes of future submissions), the Diplomate should contact BGC.

CM Audits

During each CM cycle, five percent (5%) of Diplomates are randomly selected for a CM audit. Activities claimed on the CMP Submission are verified through written, impartial records.

The purpose of the audit is to:

  • Verify that the Diplomate has achieved the minimum requirements necessary for recertification.
  • Identify areas where Diplomates have difficulty in providing records so that BGC may continuously improve its programs.

If selected for an audit, individuals must provide evidence of previously reported CM activities that meet the criteria described in this handbook. (If you self-claim activity hours, be sure to keep detailed records.) Individuals selected for a CM Audit will be notified via email. The deadline and requirements for returning supporting documentation will be included in the email.

Diplomates selected for an audit are notified regarding which records are required. The provided records must be consistent with the dates and activities listed on the CM submission. Examples of satisfactory records are listed in each of the CM Category descriptions (see “Point Categories” under “Recertifying by Points”). BGC may review the records of diplomates or course sponsors in the manner it deems appropriate to determine compliance with the requirements set forth in this guidance. Submitting false information may result in revocation of certification.

Diplomates are normally allowed four weeks to send the records to BGC. This may occasionally be adjusted to account for holiday time periods. Additional time can be granted in some cases due to circumstances where the Diplomate does not have access to the records, e.g., extended business or personal travel, location shutdowns, medical illnesses, or family illnesses. The Diplomate must contact BGC to request additional time, which may or may not be granted.

Audit results are reported to the Diplomate. If the provided records support that the Diplomate achieved the required minimum CM credit, a re-certification letter and new certificate are mailed.

If the provided records do not support that the required minimum points were achieved, the Diplomate will be contacted to secure other records or look for additional, overlooked CM point opportunities.

The Diplomate will have failed to maintain certification if:

  • the audit records were not submitted, or
  • the audit records do not support that the minimum requirements were achieved

Record Retention

Records acceptable for CM are described in CM Category descriptions (see “Point Categories” under “Recertifying by Points”). Ideally, the Diplomate should establish a records folder which can be built throughout the cycle. A single storage folder or location will also increase the chance that documentation will be available when needed. You can also upload your documentation to your online account; however, make sure you retain original copies. Practitioners often leave valuable records at a previous employer when changing jobs.

After the Diplomate has received the recertification letter and certificate from BGC, records pertaining to the previous CM cycle will not be needed by BGC. Records can be retained for personal, professional, and tax purposes, but BGC does not require that they be kept for purposes of its certification.

Persons who have retired or voluntarily surrendered their certification or have had their certification revoked should retain their records to accommodate future re-activation efforts.

 

CPEA CM Handbook