Approved By:	APSE Board of Directors
Changes Must be Authorized By:	APSE Board of Directors
Approval Date:	May 9, 2011
Revision Date(s):	September 25, 2018
Date Last Reviewed:	October 25, 2024

The Credentialed Employment Support Professional™ (CESP) credential has been developed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a sufficient level of knowledge and skill to provide integrated employment services to a variety of client populations. The CESP credential is intended to help employers, employees and potential employees by increasing the visibility of – and access to – competent individuals in the profession.
The Employment Support Professional Credentialing Council (ESPCC) was established in 2011 by the APSE Board of Directors to establish and implement policies and procedures for the CESP credential program and to oversee the development of the CESP examination. The ESPCC is responsible for developing and overseeing all aspects of the credential program as defined below.

Potential Job Roles, Practice Settings of Typical Candidates/Credential Holders

The ESPCC developed the CESP for employment support professionals (ESPs) who provide employment services to individuals with significant disabilities by assisting individuals to obtain and maintain competitive employment in integrated community workplaces.
The CESP credential is designed for worksite trainers, job coaches, job developers, transition employment specialists, job placement personnel, and employment specialists/consultants who serve a wide variety of target audiences including individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities,
mental health diagnoses, sensory impairments, physical disabilities, traumatic brain injury and autism spectrum disorders.

Level of the Credential

The total set of requirements to earn the CESP credential include education + experience + ethics + examination.

Eligibility requirements for test takers include education, experience, and code of conduct prerequisites to ensure that individuals credentialed by the ESPCC have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill needed to provide employment support services at an entry level of competency. Refer to Policy 200: Eligibility Requirements.

Individuals who pass the examination and meet all requirements earn the CESP credential. These professionals have demonstrated knowledge of the facilitation and advocacy skills necessary to help establish and expand equitable employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. CESP credential holders also raise awareness of benefits within the business community, and promote social change that fosters an independent, productive lifestyle for individuals with disabilities.

Target Audience of the Credential

CESP credential has many audiences, including people with disabilities, provider/funder agencies, businesses, and credential holders themselves.
For Provider Agencies, Funders, and Community Rehabilitation Programs, CESP credential:

• Increases the visibility of competent ESPs.
• Creates a standard that defines the roles and responsibilities of ESPs.
• Improves employability and provides opportunities for salary and career advancement.
• Legitimizes and enhances professionalism in the field.

For People with Disabilities, CESP credential:

• Ensures job seekers and supported employees have access to qualified professionals that have shown competency in best practices.
• Ensures professional staff pursue additional professional development in the maintenance of their credential.
• Secures that the services received by the job seeker/supported employee are provided in a safe and ethical manner.

For Businesses, CESP credential:

• Ensures you will receive help in hiring talented employees that are a fit for company culture and needs.
• Systematizes the specialized support for job acquisition and retention of diverse employees.
• Helps you feel confident that ESP has your business interests in mind.

For CESP credential holders, CESP credential:

• Confirms your demonstrated competency in the full array of skills needed to assist individuals to succeed in employment.
• Opens the door for increased income opportunities.
• Validates your commitment to ethical and safety standards.

Geographic Scope

The CESP credential is only offered in the United States at this time. While international candidates are welcomed, the examination was created using a Role Delineation Study process that studied best practices in the United States. In addition, the examination in its current forms reference US specific laws and systems.