Approved By:	ESPCC
Approval Date:	October 28, 2011
Revision Date(s):	February 24, 2012; February 28, 2020, May 30, 2025
Date Last Reviewed:	May 30, 2025

Purpose

To recognize the expertise and experience of SMEs who participated in initial exam development and to prohibit future grandfathering activities.

Rationale

The ESPCC does not consider the practice of grandfathering, or awarding the credential to individuals who have not passed the examination, to be desirable. However, a one-time limited exception is made for subject matter experts (SMEs) who participate in the development of the initial credential examination forms during 2011-2012. These SMEs were awarded the credential on a limited basis without having to pass the examination because their knowledge of the examination content prohibited them from taking the exam.

Procedures

Fifteen Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) were awarded the credential without having passed the examination.

SMEs who participated in the development of the initial examination forms in 2011-2012 received the credential provided that the following criteria were met for each SME:

• The SME actively participated in item writing activities for the initial exam forms and submitted a minimum of 12 acceptable and useable items
• The SME met the eligibility requirements for the credential
• The SME was recommended by the ESPCC

Members of the ESPCC who actively participated in the development of the initial examination forms in 2011-2012 by reviewing and editing exam items, reviewing and approving examination forms, and participating in the initial cut score studies will receive the CESP™ credential providing that each ESPCC member also meets the eligibility requirements for the credential.

In accepting the credential during the limited, one-time grandfathering period, ESPCC members and other SMEs agreed that the credential was awarded for a limited time only (equivalent to the normal recredentialing time period). During the program’s reaccreditation cycle in 2019, it was identified that those who recredentialed did so through continuing education (CE) credits, rather than by sitting for the examination. However, per accreditation standards, they needed to actually sit for the exam to maintain their credential moving forward. In 2019-2020, all grandfathered SMEs who wished to maintain their credential sat for the exam and are in full compliance. Moving forward, these SMEs are required to meet all stated requirements to maintain their credential.

Effective May 30, 2025, this policy is no longer active.