Now more than ever, local leaders are faced with the constant pressure of doing more with less, and local governments are hard-pressed to justify any increase in expenditures unless directly attributed to improved and expanded service to the community. Every community faces the dilemma of how to balance risk, commitment, performance and costs. This is especially difficult when there is a lack of a well-defined set of performance criteria by which to judge the service. The purpose of the certification process is to define those performance criteria of which a competent emergency management program is comprised.

Purpose: The certification program is designed to provide a method of professional certification for Emergency Management personnel in the State of Colorado. This volunteer program seeks to establish a clearly visible set of career goals for emergency management professionals, provide public officials and chief executive officers with defined standards in selecting personnel to fill emergency management positions, promote continued training and education of emergency management personnel, and increase the visibility and professional scope of emergency management personnel.

The certification program is designed to recognize the unique responsibilities of emergency management personnel as distinguished from other professions.

Program Requirements: The Emergency Management Certification program was developed utilizing a building block approach.  The certification program assumes each candidate has certain fundamental skills, knowledge, and abilities required of any person responsible for emergency management duties, whether in the public, private, or non-profit sector.   The committee built the program requirements as a step-up program for the internationally recognized CEM program.

Reciprocity: Candidates who can document they have received the Certified Emergency Manager credential from IAEM and one year of experience in Colorado will receive the CO-CEM designation from CEMA. There is no longer reciprocity for the Associate Emergency Manager credential.

In addition, a candidate who receives an Emergency Management degree from a recognized institution of higher learning shall be able to apply the degree toward the training and education requirements of this program. For example, an Associate Degree in Emergency Management will fulfill the full training and education requirement for the CO-AEM; a Bachelor degree in Emergency Management will fulfill the full training and education requirement for the CO-CEM.

Re-Certification: Candidates must maintain on-going professional development by pursuing additional training, taking active roles in preparedness exercises, participating in actual events, or participating in other emergency management activities. A candidate must re-certify every five years with at least one hundred fifty hours of additional professional development within five years. If a candidate moves to a higher level, his or her re-certification requirement will start from the date the new level certificate was granted. 

Administration: A certification committee, comprised of at least three individuals appointed by the CEMA President and approved by the CEMA Board, will administer the certification program. Program requirements may be modified routinely to maintain alignment with national trends or to respond to state professional development needs.  All proposed changes will go through an approval process as defined by the CEMA Bylaws.

Application Fee: An application fee of fifty dollars will be required of each non-CEMA member applicant. Applicants who are members of CEMA will be required to pay a twenty-five dollar fee. The fee will cover costs associated with application materials, certificates, database management, and all other necessary and appropriate expenditures.

Recognition: Each certified member will receive a certificate suitable for display. Each certified member will also receive a recognition letter from the Colorado Emergency Management Association to the appropriate authority in their organization. Each certified member will be recognized at the annual Colorado Emergency Management Association meeting and in the CEMA/CDEM newsletter after receiving his or her credential certification. In addition, the committee may authorize other appropriate methods of recognition. Upon certification, each applicant can utilize the trademarks associated with the level for which they qualify.

Silver - CO-AEM

Gold - CO-CEM

Application Process: Applicants can be from government, military, private and non-profit agencies. The certification program has two levels that vary depending on experience, formal education, and training. In addition, applicants will be required to demonstrate continuing education and professional development to advance to a higher certification tier or retain their certification. 

Silver Level (CO-AEM): This certification recognizes those professionals who dedicate all, or a majority of their work, to emergency management, but may not possess the professional contributions, time, experience, or training requirements needed to get the professional certification. For many, this certification may act as a stepping-stone as one works toward the CO-CEM designation.

Gold Level (CO-CEM): This certification recognizes the full-time professionals who have devoted a minimum of three years to the Colorado emergency management profession.

Be sure to submit: One (1) hardcopy CEMA Certification Application and all supporting documentation (no larger than 1" binder) and one (CD) containing all materials in commonly used electronic formats to:

Colorado Emergency Management Association

Certification Program

c/o Brandon Lawrence

11600 Ridge Parkway

Broomfield, CO  80021

$25 Application Fee (CEMA Members)
$50 Application Fee (non-CEMA members

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO CEMA
FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE

Timeframe for reviewing applications: All applications will be reviewed on a quarterly basis. Once certification has been approved by committee, all documentation will be forwarded to CEMA President for signatures and creation of the certificate. Newly certified individuals will be recognized at the CEMA Board meetings.

You must have your application in two-weeks prior to the CEMA Certification Committee review dates scheduled above. Your application must be complete, typed and in the proper order stated in the guidelines to be reviewed. Failure to follow directions will mean a returned application.

Certification Guidelines

Certifications awarded in Colorado

Certification Appeal