Certification Renewal Process

To renew certification(s), members must submit 3.0 CEU credits (1 hour of instruction = 0.1 CEU) every three (3) years and pay the $100 Certification Renewal fee in their Member Dashboard before the certification renewal date.

Once a member earns a designation, AAERT requires the certified individual to renew every three (3) years and keep their annual Professional level membership dues active and current to maintain earned certifications.

Certification Renewal Policies and Procedures:

To sustain your AAERT certification(s), you must complete the renewal process at the end of each three-year certification cycle. This includes:

• Uploading 3.0 CEUs (30 hours) earned during your three-year cycle.
• Pay the Certification Renewal fee.

Certification cycles are based on the date you passed your exam and became certified. For example, if you passed your exam in May 2025, your three-year cycle would end in May 2028, and your renewal would be due at that time.

It is the responsibility of each certified member to know and track their certification renewal date, which is listed on their certificate and in their Member Dashboard.

If you hold multiple certifications that are due for renewal in the same year, only one $100 renewal fee is required to renew all certifications.

All CEUs must be earned within the active three-year cycle. Members with multiple certifications only need to submit a total of 3.0 CEUs per cycle, not 3.0 CEUs for each certification.

Certification Renewal Instructions 

1. You must have a minimum of 3.0 CEU credits that have been approved before submitting the certification renewal fee.

UPLOADING CEUs: To upload CEUs for credit: 1) Log into the AAERT website; 2) Navigate to the bottom of your "Dashboard"; 3) Click on "Add Credit." 4) Select "Self Reported." NOTE: 1 hour of instruction = 0.1 CEU. Please allow 5 business days for review and approval.

2. To renew your certification(s), log into your account and click Certification Renewal Application at the bottom of your Member Dashboard and follow the prompt to submit payment (some users may see this listed as Recertification Application instead).

3. To confirm that your renewal was successful, check your certification expiration date in your Member Dashboard. It should reflect a new expiration date three years from the date your renewal payment was submitted.

Certification Reinstatement Policy:

Members with lapsed certifications meeting the below criteria can apply to have all certifications reinstated by meeting the requirements stated below.

NOTE: Only one lifetime reinstatement is available per member.

For certifications that lapsed less than three years ago (one CEU cycle):

• Submit 0.3 CEUs earned within the past year, to qualify for a one-year temporary reinstatement cycle.
• Pay the current year’s membership dues.
• Pay a $300 reinstatement fee.
• Within one year of reinstatement, submit an additional 2.7 CEUs earned between the date of the last certification renewal and the end of the one-year temporary reinstatement cycle.
• End of one-year temporary reinstatement cycle:
  • If all requirements are met, a new three-year CEU cycle begins.
  • If not, the certification expires.

For certifications that lapsed more than three years ago but less than six years ago (two CEU cycles):

• Submit 0.5 CEUs earned within the past year, to qualify for a one-year temporary reinstatement cycle.
• Pay the current year’s membership dues.
• Pay a $500 reinstatement fee.
• Within one year of reinstatement, submit an additional 5.5 CEUs earned between the date of the last certification renewal and the end of the one-year temporary reinstatement cycle.
• End of one-year temporary reinstatement cycle:
  • If all requirements are met, a new three-year CEU cycle begins.
  • If not, the certification expires.

For certifications that lapsed more than six years ago (more than two CEU cycles):

• May not be reinstated, and can only be re-earned by re-testing. Expired certifications must retake and pass the current online exam in order to regain legal use of the CER / CDR / CET designation. All CERs / CDRs / CETs who are approved for recertification will receive written notification and a new certification number.
  

Certification Reinstatement Application

Ways to Earn CEUs

CEUs can be earned by completing professional development activities including courses, conferences, webinars, etc. that are applicable to the credential's Exam Specifications “blueprint.” The blueprints govern the competency requirements for each credential and provide the outline of topics for the examinations as well as any continuing education topics. Certificants should base their choice of continuing education programs on the blueprint for their credential.

• CEU Program Rules
• If you would like to receive PRE-APPROVAL of your course/activity/event, please use the AAERT Pre-Approval CEU Request Form
• FAQ

As a courtesy to certified members, AAERT may share a list of courses and/or approved schools on its website that individuals can use to earn CEUs related to their certification. However, AAERT does not endorse any specific person, product, resource, or service for exam preparation or certification. We encourage individuals to review the examination blueprint to help identify CEUs that align with the Knowledge Domains and topics covered in the exam.

CER Exam Blueprint

CET Exam Blueprint

CDR Exam Blueprint

AAERT Involvement

• AAERT Conference Attendance: .10 CEU per hour
• Speak or Present at an AAERT or Industry Meeting: .25 CEU per session
• Actively holding an AAERT Committee position: .25 CEU per year

Here are some ways to earn CEUs. See Program Rules and FAQ to learn what is considered an approved CEU.

• Visit the approved schools page for links to each school's courses for continuing education.
• Visit our AAERT Annual Sponsors, who often provide free webinars and other CEU offerings.
• Make sure your member login email address is up to date and watch your email inbox for communications from AAERT regarding other CEU offerings and opportunities.
• Join AAERT's Facebook group and follow our other social media accounts for more news on CEU opportunities.

Please note: AAERT does not endorse any specific person, product, resource, or service as a means of earning the CEUs that are required to maintain their credential. Candidates are encouraged to plan their own continuing education plan by reviewing the examination blueprint.

Certification Emeritus Status

• CERs / CDRs / CETs reaching retirement age may apply to receive Emeritus Status. Emeritus Status will allow you to maintain a CER, CDR, and/or CET designation without certification renewal. To qualify, you must be at least 59 years of age, must have held an active CER, CDR, and/or CET designation, and have been a member in good standing for at least a continuous 6-year period.
• The member must submit an essay (200 - 400 words) to aaert@aaert.org, describing how your certification designation has helped you in your professional life and why you believe it's important to maintain the designation(s).
• To apply for an Emeritus Status, you must have the required 3.0 CEUs required for renewal on your AAERT Dashboard.
• Upon approval of your Emeritus Status, a new CER, CDR, and/or CET certificate will be issued with no assigned renewal date.
• To maintain Emeritus Status once approved, you must remain a PROFESSIONAL MEMBER of AAERT in good standing.
• Emeritus Status Fee- Due by Membership Expiration Date in your third​ year: $150 one-time fee.
• Note: Once an applicant submits the required documentation and essay via email to aaert@aaert.org, and their Emeritus status is approved, the status will take effect from the approval date onward and will not be applied retroactively.