Approved By:	APSE Board of Directors & ESPCC
Changes Must be Authorized By:	APSE Board of Directors
Approval Date:	February 13, 2012 (APSE Board of Directors); February 24, 2012 (ESPCC)
Revision Date(s):	July 27, 2020, August 15, 2025
Date Last Reviewed:	August 15, 2025

The ESPCC shall have sufficient and adequate resources to conduct effective and thorough credential and renewal program activities. The revenue and income generated by the credential program will be used to support such credential and renewal activities, as well as ESPCC operations. Any revenue and income in excess of the ESPCC’s annual expenses and costs, excluding all ESPCC reserve funds and restricted donations, will be retained by APSE.

ESPCC may designate reserve funds for the purpose of adequately funding examination development activities or other significant expenses directly related to the ongoing function of the credential programs. For example, a reserve fund may be designated to ensure adequate funding for periodic role delineation studies as this cost would not normally be covered in the annual budget, but should be anticipated and planned for in advance. A portion of revenues from the credential program should be reserved to cover these planned future expenses as they occur.

The ESPCC cannot take on any debt or liability without APSE Board approval.

The APSE Board may not withhold or approve funding for the credential program in a manner that will prevent the ESPCC from making independent decisions regarding the credential program. For example, the APSE Board may not influence decisions regarding CESP™ eligibility requirements, renewal requirements, examination development and administration, examination passing scores, or other essential credential program decisions.

Compensation

Council members will not be monetarily compensated for their services.

Expense Reimbursement

Council members will be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses related to attendance at Commission meetings. ESPCC will follow APSE policy for the reimbursement of travel expenses.

Covered expenses for Council members include: reasonable coach-class, roundtrip airfare (or mileage following APSE policy); ground transportation; lodging; parking; and reasonable meal expenses and gratuities for required meetings and other travel.

Council members are expected to utilize the lowest cost travel arrangements available within reasonable limits.

Budget

The ESPCC will review an annual operating budget for the credential program and will ensure that the budget provides adequate financial resources to conduct effective credential and renewal activities. Once approved by the ESPCC, the budget will be sent to the APSE Board for review and approval.

Establishment of appropriate fees for testing, retesting, and recertification will be proposed as part of the budget process or as needed based on operational changes. 

The ESPCC and Certification Director and/or assigned APSE staff will ensure that the credential program operates within the approved budget. The Certification Director and/or assigned APSE staff and ESPCC work together to ensure that the approved budget is followed and provide periodic reports to the APSE Board as needed.

APSE will ensure that the Certification Director and/or assigned APSE staff has full access to the financial records of the organization for the purposes of monitoring the budget and financial activities of the credential program.

Cancellations and Refunds

The cancellation and refund policy is publicly available through the website and Candidate Handbook. No refunds of exam fees are available once a candidate has taken the exam. A processing fee may be applied to any refunds made.

Accounting Procedures

ESPCC and the Certification Director and/or assigned APSE staff will follow all established APSE accounting/financial policies and procedures.