Maintaining Certification

Premise

The continuance of certification (COC) is a means of ensuring that Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist (CCPE) certificants remain current in their professional practice and that they are continuing professional development. It is a necessary component for CCCPE to receive accreditation with the International Ergonomics Association.

How it Works

CCPEs must accumulate 100 points over a 5 year period. Each member must submit a worksheet at the end of each 5 year period (see links below). The points accumulation count begins in the calendar year after receiving the CCPE designation. For example, if the designation is received in July 2015, the points accumulation begins in January 2016 and it will cover the period from then until December 2020. CCPEs must accumulate 100 points of ergonomics-related activities and submit a completed COC worksheet covering the most recent 5 year period. The majority of required points (80%) are related to applied activities demonstrated through working as a practicing/teaching Ergonomist. The remaining points are related to a variety of sources of professional development including attending conferences, serving on ergonomics-related committees, providing or receiving ergonomics training, publishing articles, books or book reviews, etc. Worksheets shall be submitted to the CCCPE secretariat at info@cccpe.ca at the end of each 5 year period, as per the deadlines outlined in the Continuance of Certification Program. A random selection of roughly 20% of membership will be chosen for more in-depth evaluation of their COC worksheets.

Point Reduction Based On Experience

Once a Canadian Certified Professional Ergonomist achieves 10 years of experience, after the date on which the CCPE designation was received, the total number of required points for COC (to be submitted every 5 years) will be reduced by 1 point per year. For example, a member who attained their CCPE designation 15 years ago would require 95 points (100 points minus 5 points) and a member with 25 years’ experience would only require a total of 85 points rather than 100.

Exceptions

Request for exceptions to the requirements of the Continuation of Certification Program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis following receipt by the Board (on or before the deadline for submission) of a written request.

COC Worksheet Notes

• Active practice as a certified ergonomist – maximum 80 points (16 points per year for 5 years). To qualify for active practice, regular duties must include the practicing or teaching of ergonomics/human factors. Documentation must include a current CV or a supervisor letter verifying job duties and dates of employment. If an individual works part-time, the points should be pro-rated accordingly.
• Providing ergonomics-related training – maximum 25 points over 5 years. Developing/providing instruction must be outside normal practice duties. For example, teaching a college course outside of work, or providing a training course for the industry. Training performed within the job highlighted in section 1 can also count provided it is outside of normal work duties. Allow 0.5 points/hour of teaching. Teaching a full semester course (36 hours minimum) at a recognized university or college may qualify for the maximum 25 points. Documentation must include a letter from the college, company or organization verifying the course, a course outline, or a letter of completion from the course sponsor.
• Receiving ergonomics-related training – maximum 25 points over 5 years. Receiving instruction can be provided by a member’s employer or outside of normal work duties. Topics should pertain to the competencies for CCCPE. Note that the competencies are broad and training pertaining to areas generally related to ergonomics/human factors is considered relevant. Allow 0.5 points/hour of training. Documentation must include a letter from the company or organization verifying the course, a certificate, course outline or a letter of completion from the course sponsor. 
• Ergonomics-related service to societies, committees or standards development activities and mentoring of ergonomists – maximum 25 points over 5 years. A maximum of 2 points for each quarter of volunteering, appointed, elected or mentoring (CCPE or AE applicant) activities, performed outside of regular work duties, to a maximum of 8 points/year. A minimum of 4 hours of service is required to count a point in each quarter. Documentation must include a letter from a committee or organization indicating appointment, meeting frequency and duties and term of service.
• Publishing ergonomics-related articles, papers, books, book chapters, book reviews or research reports – maximum 25 points over 5 years. Five points for each publication (reviewed or refereed) and two points for other publications or non-refereed articles. For example, a book review for the ACE newsletter or a case study would count as a non-refereed article. The publication must relate to ergonomics/human factors. Documentation includes a copy of the publication or URL to the publication.
• Attendance or participation at ergonomics-related professional conferences – maximum 25 points over 5 years. Two points for each conference lasting one or more days and one point for each conference lasting less than one day. Add two points for each presentation delivered at a meeting or conference. The meetings must be technically or professionally based. Documentation includes evidence of attendance and/or presentation.

Note: Where discrepancies are found between these COC WORKSHEET NOTES on the webpage, and those listed in the downloadable files, the downloadable file will be considered to be correct.

Continuance of certification of professional ergonomists

See the COC Information Document for detailed explanations of the process and use the Worksheet to keep track of your Continuation of Certification (COC) points. The COC worksheets and all relevant documentation shall be submitted to @email by January 31 of the year immediately following each 5-year period.