Approved By:	ESPCC
Approval Date:	October 28, 2011
Revision Date(s):	October 26, 2018; July 26, 2019; October 1, 2021; November 22, 2024; August 22, 2025, July 24, 2026
Date Last Reviewed:	July 24, 2026

ESPCC supports the ongoing professional development of its credential holders. The mandatory renewal process provides credential holders with the opportunity to demonstrate the reinforcement and expansion of their knowledge and skills and the retention of their knowledge of current practice. Renewal also provides encouragement to, and acknowledgement for, participation in ongoing professional development activities. To support this purpose, the renewal process requires continuing education and professional activities that enhance ongoing professional development, recognize learning opportunities, and provide a process for both attaining and recording professional development achievements.

Rationale

ESPCC requires periodic renewal to promote professional development for employment support professionals and to ensure that individuals who hold the credential maintain an ongoing commitment to learning in their area(s) of practice to strengthen their knowledge and skills.

Professional development is accomplished by either obtaining the required number of continuing education (CE) credits or by passing the credential examination for which the content is periodically updated. Renewal by continuing education credits ensures that the individual has participated in professional development activities that are directly related to the provision of employment support services. Since the examination is updated periodically, renewal by examination also ensures that the CESP™ has continued to build their knowledge and skills during the time since initially receiving the credential.

The 3-year time period established for renewal is based on both the scope of issues that face employment services professionals and the ESPCC’s belief that new practices, research, and information are introduced in the field with enough frequency that professional development activities should be conducted routinely so that credential holders remain up to date with both current best practices and emerging knowledge.

Procedures

The credential is valid for a 3-year period from the date indicated on each individual’s credential document.

Credential holders are eligible to submit their renewal application at any time before their credential is set to expire.

Credential holders will receive a courtesy renewal reminder; however it is the responsibility of the credential holder to submit a timely renewal application and retain appropriate documentation of their continuing education activities.

To maintain an active credential status credential holders must:

1. Earn 36 ESP related continuing education (CE) credits during each 3-year period
   OR pass the exam prior to their renewal deadline.
2. Be current on all annual renewal/maintenance fee payments.
3. Re-sign the Code of Conduct and maintain ongoing adherence to its requirements.
4. Submit a complete renewal application with all required documentation by the published deadline.

Requirements for renewal, along with renewal forms, will be published and easy accessible to applicants and credential holders.

Individuals are encouraged, but not required, to spread their CE hours over the 3-year period and among a variety of relevant subject areas.

Renewal Acceptance

The ESPCC will issue a renewal email to the credential holder once all renewal requirements have been met. Renewal applications will not be accepted from individual’s whose credential is in a state of suspension or that has been revoked.

All continuing education (CE) activities are subject to review and approval by ESPCC. Credit is only granted after the activity has been completed and documented. Credit is not granted for time spent and networking or social functions or for breaks.

Eligibility Appeals

Applicants for renewal who are notified that they do not meet the eligibility requirements may appeal this decision following the Reconsideration of Adverse Decisions Policy (#605), which will be publicly available.

Verification Process

Credential holders are required to submit a completed renewal application along with proof of completion of 36 hours of CE prior to their renewal deadline. Credential holders who renew by exam must submit a completed CESP™ Exam Eligibility application and pass the exam within their renewal eligibility window.

The Certification Director and/or assigned APSE staff reviews all renewal applications for completeness.

Applications will be randomly selected for audit and additional verification procedures each year. The ESPCC, or a committee convened by the ESPCC, will review annually 3-5% of applications for recertification by Continuing Education (CE) credits.

If any areas of non-compliance are identified during the audit (or any review of a renewal application) the individual will have 30 days to submit any required information. This window allows an applicant sufficient time to gather additional documentation to verify Continuing Education (CE) activities for a second review of their application.

If the required information is not provided and the applicant does not meet the requirements to renew, the application for renewal will be denied. The CESP’s credential will be valid through the original expiration date.

Any CESP™ is welcome to submit additional applications for renewal during the allowed renewal time frame.

Failure to Renew

Renewal is mandatory for all credential holders. If credential is not renewed it will expire on the last day of the month 3 years after the credential was last earned. CESPs whose credential has expired or been suspended or revoked may not represent him/herself as an ESPCC credentialed professional until he/she receives official notice that the renewal requirements have been satisfied or that their credentialed status has been reinstated.

Reinstatement

If a credential is expired, an individual must reapply and meet all eligibility requirements in effect at the time of renewal, and must pass the examination.

Extensions
Candidates who cannot submit the renewal requirements within the 3-year period may be granted an extension by the ESPCC. Extension requests are reviewed on an case by case basis. Candidates must have met the CE requirements within their 3-year period to be eligible for extension consideration. 

To request an extension:

• Must have already earned the required CEs with the 3-year period
• Extension must be requested in writing providing reason for the request
  Examples may include: Must be seriously ill (or member of immediate family seriously ill), suffer from personal illness or injury, experience unavoidable natural disaster, or be in active military duty outside the United States.
• Verification/Documentation may be requested

Once an extension has been granted, a candidate will not be eligible for an extension for the next two renewal periods. 

Requirements for CE Credits:

Activities Must Relate to the Content Outline

The CESP™ credential is for employment support professionals (ESPs) and ensures that those who hold it maintain an ongoing commitment to learning in the area of competitive, integrated employment. Therefore, continuing education credits (hours) need to be specific to supporting employment.

• All CE activities must be directly related to the Credentialed Employment Support Professional™ (CESP) Content Outline.
• Acceptable activities include the knowledge and skills defined by the Content Outline published by the ESPCC including content related to ethics and values.
• Activities which are considered normal employment duties of an ESP will not be accepted for CE credits.
• Although mandatory trainings and general disability trainings are valuable to the role of an ESP, they are not specific to employment. General disability-related training does not count toward renewal (i.e. Mental Health First Aid, non-employment disability specific training).

Has Necessary Documentation

A candidate for CESP™ renewal is responsible for obtaining appropriate documentation showing proof of completion of CE activities. Each activity outlines the type of necessary documentation required.

All documentation is subject to verification by the ESPCC:

• Documentation should clearly show the connection to the Content Outline and employment specific training/content.
  • Add any additional information about the activity, such as a webpage or marketing information to help show relevance to Content Outline
• Repeated coursework, trainings, or content will not be counted for credit within the same 3-year cycle (i.e. attending a training multiple times that presents the same content)
• Completion dates of CE hours (CEs) submitted for the current renewal cycle MUST fall within the current three-year credentialing period.
• Acceptable forms of documentation submitted with renewal application are listed here as examples. Other forms of documentation that provide evidence that the activity was completed may also be accepted.
  • Ensure documentation shows record of attendance/completion date, not just registration.
  • For CE credits attended (webinar, training, etc), the number of hours must be clearly listed.

As noted above the CESP is required to retain and submit documentation for each continuing education activity completed. Credential holders should retain a copy of their records for at least 12 months after their credential has been renewed.

Continuing education (CE) credits must be earned during the current three-year credentialing period.

APPROVED CONTINUING EDUCATION (CE) ACTIVITIES

The activities below are those that qualify as continuing education by the ESPCC. Questions? Email cesp@apse.org

ATTEND A CONFERENCE 1 CE hour for each hour of training. The content must be directly related to the Content Outline. Social hours and networking will not count toward CE credits. Documentation required: Must show attendance/completion. Documentation should include your name, number of hours, date of conference, and clearly correlate information to Content Outline based on documentation. Registration alone is not sufficient documentation.

ATTEND A COURSE/WORKSHOP/SEMINAR 1 CE hour for each hour of training. The content must be directly related to the Content Outline. Repeated trainings will not be eligible to submit for CE credits. Documentation required: Must show attendance/completion. Documentation should include your name, number of hours, date of training, and clearly correlate information to Content Outline based on documentation. Registration alone is not sufficient documentation.

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY COURSES 10 CE hours for a 3-credit course. The content must be directly related to the Content Outline. Documentation required: Transcript or documentation from instructor. Documentation should include your name and the institution where you took the course. You must clearly show the link between course content and the Content Outline.

TEACH A SEMINAR, IN-SERVICE, COURSE, OR WORKSHOP (maximum 16 CE credits per 3-year cycle) 2 CE hours for each hour of teaching. Repeated trainings will not be counted. Documentation Required: Either a copy of the detailed course outline or copy of promotional information, showing connection to content outline and Employment. Documentation should include date, time, location of the event, and you listed as the presenter.

ATTEND TRAINING PROVIDED BY YOUR EMPLOYER (maximum 20 CE credits per 3-year cycle) 1 CE hour for each hour of training. Repeated trainings will not be counted. In-service trainings or trainings provided by your employer are those provided to employees at their workplace in connection with their work covering employment support professional related content. This also includes those trainings for which your supervisor is the verification of training. Agency mandated CPR, first aid, HIPAA, driving courses, and other similar courses are often mandated by state agencies or employers; however, these courses are not accepted for continuing education credit because they are not specific to supporting employment. Although mandatory trainings and general disability trainings are valuable to the role of an ESP, they are not specific to employment. General disability-related training does not count toward recertification (i.e. Mental Health First Aid, nonemployment disability specific training). Documentation Required: Must show attendance/completion. Documentation should include your name, number of hours, date of training, and title of training with information that clearly correlates to Content Outline. Documentation must be signed by the credential holder's supervisor or training provider.In general, 10 CE credits for completion of 1 significant project.

Special Projects The ESPCC has approved the following Special Projects, specific to the ongoing development and maintenance of the CESP exam, for CE credit as described below.   Proctor an exam: 3 CE credits for each exam, 1 CE for proctor training Job analysis: Identify and validate the knowledge, skills, abilities, and tasks required for competent performance of an employment support professional (1 CEU/hr. of group meeting time)  Item Writing: Submission of at least 10 exam-quality items: 1 CE for each item accepted. Regardless of the number of items submitted, only the number of items accepted for use in the item bank will be counted for CE credit. Items must have reference listed when submitted to be considered. Item review/Standard Setting: Reviewing and approving submissions from item writers (1 CEU/hr of group meeting time) Exam review: Participate in the development, review, and validation of examination content to ensure it reflects current professional practice, aligns with the examination blueprint, and meets standards for accuracy, fairness, and defensibility. (1 CEU/hr of group meeting time) & take exam (3 CEUs) Documentation Required: Letter or certificate from the ESPCC/APSE verifying participation or involvement. Documentation must include your name and dates of service.

PUBLISH AN ARTICLE OR ORIGINAL RESEARCH Publishing an article or success story regarding supported employment: 3 credits for each article Publishing an article regarding supported employment in a peer-reviewed journal: 10 credits for each article Publishing an article regarding supported employment in a peer-reviewed journal with original research: 20 credits for each article Documentation Required: Copy of published article or research paper. Information submitted must reflect your name as the author/co-author and date of the publication.

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES (maximum 10 CE credits per 3-year cycle)  A minimum of 1 year of service is required to qualify for credit. Up to 10 CE credits for 1 year of service (based on percentage of meetings attended). Can include unpaid service on the ESPCC or an ESPCC committee; a local, state, national, or professional board; state Commission; etc. Documentation Required: Letter or certificate from the organization or the CESP’s supervisor verifying participation or involvement. Documentation must include your name and dates of service, meeting schedule and attendance. You must clearly show the link between the activity and the Content Outline.

If you are considering submitting credits for Continuing Education (CE) that is not outlined above, please ensure that your documentation for each credit submitted meets the requirements for all CE credits.