To become certified as a CSEP, you must complete the following steps:
1.) Purchase the CSEP Exam Candidate Instructional Manual
- To purchase the CSEP Instruction Manual, complete the online form and either fax or mail in your $50 payment with the completed form. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery
2.) Complete and Return official application to the ISES Headquarters: (Please note you must have 3 years full time event industry experience prior to sending in your application)
- Official Application
- Submission Fee
- Three(3)letters of recommendation
- Documentation of the 35 professional industry points.
- Complete the official application in the CSEP Exam Candidate Instruction Manual and return it to the ISES headquarters along with the application submission fee and (3) recommendation letters. The application and fee must be received by the application submission deadline that corresponds with the examination time frame (PLEASE SEE DATES AND DEADLINES FOR CURRENT APPLICATION DATES). It is the responsibility of the applicant to meet all scheduled deadlines associated with the program.
- *The application is based on a point system. The application should be scored for self-assessment of sufficient points. Applicants must have at least three (3) years of industry experience and score a minimum of 35 professional industry points in order to submit the application.(PLEASE SEE THE POINTS ITEMIZATION LIST FOR FURTHER DETAIL)
- Approximately five (5) weeks after the deadline applicants will be notified via e-mail as to the results of the application review. Successful candidates will at that point be deemed “eligible” to register for the exam.
3.) Register for the CSEP Exam
- ISES will notify candidates when applications are approved and eligibility is granted. A $400 exam fee invoice will be sent to candidates via email. SMT sends candidates a confirmation email including a User ID and Password once exam payment is received/approved by ISES Headquarters.A candidate registers on the SMT website for the CSEP exam.
- The SMT online scheduling system displays the dates and times available within the 15 day test window for the test centers nearest your address. The exam is offered 4 times a year in 15 day windows Candidates have one year from the approval of their application to take the exam.
- The exam is held at sites throughout North America and selected sites in Canada, Europe, Asia, and Australia.To find the nearest testing site near, go to SMT's partner company's website - www.isoqualitytesting.com.
4.) Complete the CSEP Exam
- The CSEP is an electronic exam given in two parts: 100 multiple-choice questions and a written portion. The multiple-choice questions only have one answer. The candidate will have 4 ½ hours to take the entire exam.
- For a preview of the exam layout please click the provided link CSEP Exam Tutorial
- Candidates do not compete with one another. There is no limit to the number of people who can pass the exam.
- The CSEP exam is scored pass or fail. SMT will furnish results within four (4) to six (6) weeks.