START HEREStep-by-Step Certification Process
Our start-to-finish certification guide is designed to get you on your way with ease. |
STEP #1
Choosing a Certification Level
Use your qualifications to determine which certification is right for you.
CAsECertified Assistant Ergonomist
[Assistant Level] Education College Transcript Work Exp. + Training One year Work Samples Only training required Sponsors One optional Exam Score 60% or better |
CAECertified Associate Ergonomist
[Associate Level] Education Bachelor's Work Exp. + Training One year Work Samples One sample Sponsors One sponsor Exam Score 70% or better |
CHFEP or CIE
Certified Human Factors Engineering Professional or Certified Industrial Ergonomist
[Professional Level] Education Master's or Ph.D. Work Exp. + Training 3 years with Ph.D. 5 years with Master's Work Samples Two samples Sponsors Two sponsors with CIE or equivalent certification Exam Score 85% or better |
STEP #2
The Application Process
Preparing your documents
Once you have determined your appropriate certification level, check the corresponding application pages to see which documents are required. Click one of the following links (opens in a new tab):
Application, CEUs, Payment
Please follow this link to the official application page.
You will be asked to fill out your application and submit your payment in the browser.
You will also be asked to send documentation of a CEU (continuing education unit). This must be attached to an email and sent to [email protected]. CEUs are awarded by organization, therefore criteria may vary. You may contact an organization for clarification on how many CEUs something is worth.
You will be asked to fill out your application and submit your payment in the browser.
You will also be asked to send documentation of a CEU (continuing education unit). This must be attached to an email and sent to [email protected]. CEUs are awarded by organization, therefore criteria may vary. You may contact an organization for clarification on how many CEUs something is worth.
Checking progress
You will receive email updates regarding the progress of your application. For additional updates and any questions, please contact us.
Approved or denied?
If your application has been approved - congratulations! You qualify to sit for the exam. Keep reading for more information on scheduling your examination.
If your application has been denied, meaning that your documents or qualifications do not meet standards or there are missing documents, you will be contacted via phone or email with the option to leave your application on file to re-apply (valid for one year) or receive a refund.
If a refund is chosen, your payment will be refunded minus a $100 processing fee.
Do not be discouraged! Inquirers may reapply as often as needed.
If your application has been denied, meaning that your documents or qualifications do not meet standards or there are missing documents, you will be contacted via phone or email with the option to leave your application on file to re-apply (valid for one year) or receive a refund.
If a refund is chosen, your payment will be refunded minus a $100 processing fee.
Do not be discouraged! Inquirers may reapply as often as needed.
STEP #3
The Certification Process
Scheduling Your Exam
Exams are available online and occur several times throughout the year. An exam fee of $30 is required.
To schedule your exam, go to the exam page (opens in a new tab).
To schedule your exam, go to the exam page (opens in a new tab).
Pass or Fail?
After the exam has been completed, you will be contacted via phone call regarding a pass or fail.
If a passing grade is not achieved, you may retake the exam twice within the first year of the application, requiring an additional $30 fee for each exam.
ORI will schedule a phone discussion with you to answer any questions, review missed items and reinforce important concepts that will help you succeed.
If a passing grade is achieved, you will receive a copy of your certification via email and also by mail. You are now officially certified!
If a passing grade is not achieved, you may retake the exam twice within the first year of the application, requiring an additional $30 fee for each exam.
ORI will schedule a phone discussion with you to answer any questions, review missed items and reinforce important concepts that will help you succeed.
If a passing grade is achieved, you will receive a copy of your certification via email and also by mail. You are now officially certified!
STEP #4
Staying Certified
Obtaining one CEU per year
Certificate holders are required to obtain one CEU (continuing education unit) annually to submit with their renewal.
CEU documentation must be emailed to [email protected].
CEU documentation must be emailed to [email protected].
Submitting the renewal fee
A $140 renewal fee is required which may be paid once or on a recurring basis.
Please go to the renewal page to initiate a certification renewal.
Please go to the renewal page to initiate a certification renewal.
Code of Conduct Compliance
Certificate holders are required to comply with a code of conduct.
STEP #5
Taking Your Certification Further
ORI offers several upgrade options as well as exclusive services for ORI certificate-holders.
Upgrade Options
CAE holders have the option to upgrade their certification to a CIE once they meet CIE requirements. To do this, contact us to initiate a new upgrade application.
ORI Certificate-Holder Benefits
- (CHFEP and CIE only) Free assistance in job placement.
- Up to three hours of free research to answer technical questions.
- Assistance to augment technical capabilities in relevant disciplines available through the Oxford Research Institute.
- Third-party evaluation and awards for ergonomic service provider organizations if they meet certain measurable criteria.
- Business referrals to Preferred Providers and those with the Five Star Seal of Ergonomic Excellence as well to specific products that ORI has tested and used.
- Use of patent lawyers on a cost basis to facilitate the process of obtaining a patent, patent search or patent application and required drawings for your invention. This service will save around 50% of the costs associated with obtaining a patent.
- Ergonomic assessment for products or clients' products to receive a Five Star Seal for Ergonomic Excellence for products that qualify.
Please contact us to inquire into these benefits.
Getting Involved
Webinars, workshops and events. Newsletters. Social media stuff. What else?
