SAME is invested in providing members with the tools and resources to develop and advance their careers within the A/E/C profession.
The Credentialing Committee is a sub-group of the Young Professionals Council that committed to help members understand the importance of credentials, what credentials apply to the A/E/C profession, and how to get and maintain them.
What are Credentials?
Licenses and accredited certifications are complementary credentials. Licenses define the individuals legally authorized permission to offer regulated services to the public whereas certifications do not. Accredited certification programs have been scrutinized by one or more of the three nationally-recognized certification accreditation bodies. Certifications enable professionals to pursue specialized skills in their field of practice and stay on the front end of technical capabilities.
Why is Credentialing Important?
Maintaining professional credentials demonstrate a level of technical competency in a specific field. For uniformed servicemembers, attaining credentials while serving in uniform improves technical skills and increases potential for promotion. After leaving the service, the same credentials can help individuals earn a position with higher initial pay.
Credentials measure an individual’s objective capabilities and technical credibility. The possession of one or more of these credentials indicates to the public that the holder’s capabilities have been vetted using regularly accepted practices.
Answering the Why: An Interview with the Young Professionals COI Credentialing Committee
Many members of SAME hold one or more professional licenses—everything from Registered Architect, Certified Professional Services Marketer, Project Management Professional, and, of course, Professional Engineer. However, sifting through the variety of credentials available can sometimes be overwhelming. While acquiring a credential can open up new and better career paths for members, locating resources about where those career paths may lead isn’t always easy.
Credentialing Assistance Program
The Young Professionals COI oversees SAME’s Credentialing Assistance Program to promote the professional development of Young Professionals and Enlisted Members in support of the Society’s Strategic Plan. The Credentialing Assistance Program provides financial support for professional development, education, licensure and certification preparation, exam testing, and mentoring initiatives to benefit members.
SAME will reimburse a portion of exam sitting or registration fees as well as reimburse for costs of testing preparation and training materials upon confirmation of passing of an exam.
Eligibility Requirements
- This program is open to all SAME members, regardless of age.
- Applicants must be a member of SAME for at least 18 months before applying.
- Applicants must have passed the respective examination and provide required documentation with the application.
What the Program Covers
- This program will provide financial assistance for exam sitting fees, registration fees, and/or study expenses (such as books or classes for the specific exam).
Program Restrictions
- No single SAME member shall receive through this program more than $500 in assistance, whether one time or multiple times.
Non-Listed Credentials
- A SAME member may request reimbursement for a credential not listed. The Credentialing Committee will evaluate the information in the application and determine whether or not to approve the request. Additional information may be requested.
Questions? Contact Sarah Feighery.
Credential Review Course
OVERVIEW
The Credentialing Review Course (CRC) Program provides SAME members with free access to credentialing review courses of their choosing to help prepare for their professional certification exam testing.
REQUIREMENTS
- Applicants for the benefit must demonstrate active engagement or participation at the Post, Regional, or National level and receive an endorsement from a Post President, Fellow, or National Board of Direction member.
- Applicants must be active, paid SAME members for at least 12 months. Student memberships do not count toward this period.
- The member must provide proof of registration for their respective exam within 30 days of receiving access to the review courses through PPI2Pass (for FE, PE, and ARE credentials) under the SAME corporate account. The exam should be scheduled within 3-9 months of the award.
- Applicant must be willing to engage with a mentor (monthly at a minimum) throughout the time enrolled in the review course.
AVAILABLE ON-DEMAND PPI2PASS CREDENTIALING REVIEW COURSES
⭘ Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (All included)
⭘ Professional Engineer Exam (All included)
⭘ Architect Registration Examination (PcM, PM, PA, PPD, PDD, CE)
PROGRAM PARTICIPATION ACCOUNTABILITY
- Once an applicant is granted a seat on the platform, the participant can use it for 12 months.
- The participant is to monitor overall progress based on the initial plan the participant set up with the mentor.
- Provide a schedule to the mentor to ensure that the schedule is being met
- Participants will receive a warning if they fail to maintain the planned progress over the initial 8-week period.
- Should there be no improvement in the subsequent 4 weeks, the participant and the committee will reassess the situation, which may result in the participant losing their seat.
“Credentials are an important milestone for professionals in a highly regulated industry for safety and the public’s welfare, such as the A/E/C. It means a commitment to deliver higher standard products and legally protects all the stakeholders involved .” – Juste Tresor Gatari, RA, LEED AP BD+C.
Paths to Professional Credentials
Explore A/E/C Credentials
Certified Construction Manager
Certified Energy Manager
Certified Facility Manager
Certified Professional Services Marketer
Design Build Institute of America
Facility Management Professional
Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
Professional Engineer
Project Management Professional
Registered Architect
Military Credentialing Resources
Enlisted: Chart Your Career Path
Other Credentialing Resources
Earning the P.E. license has benefited me in some surprising ways. I knew it was a requirement for promotion, but what I didn’t realize was how it would change my decision-making. Getting my license has made me think through every decision I make and consider whether I’m the right person for it based on my experience or credential. I find that having that license has benefited me because it’s made sure that I’m only making decisions I should be making.
Lt. Cdr. Tim Dahms, P.E., CEC, USN, Vice Chair for Credentialing, SAME Young Professionals COI