Q: What are the qualifications I must have to apply for the CPE/CHFP/CUXP designation?
A: The criteria for designation as a CPE, CHFP or CUXP are:
1.A master’s degree in ergonomics or human factors, or an equivalent educational background in the life sciences, engineering sciences and behavioral sciences to comprise a professional level of ergonomics education.
2.Three (3) years of full-time professional practice as an ergonomics practitioner with emphasis on design involvement (derived from ergonomic analysis and/or ergonomic testing/evaluation).
3.Documentation of education, employment history, work experience and project involvement by means of the BCPE “Application for Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)/Certified Human Factors Professional (CHFP)/Certified User Experience Professional (CUXP).”
4. A passing score on the CPE/CHFP/CUXP written examination*.
Q: What are the qualifications I must have to apply for the AEP/AHFP/AUXP designation?
A: The criteria for designation as an AEP, AHFP or AUXP are:
1.Meets the education requirement for CPE/CHFP/CUXP certification (MS in human factors/ergonomics or related field).
2.Documentation of education by means of the BCPE “Application for Associate Ergonomics Professional (AEP)/Associate Human Factors Professional (AHFP)/Associate User Experience Professional (AUXP).”
3.A passing score on Part I (“Basic Knowledge” of human factors/ergonomics) of the CPE/CHFP/CUXP examination*.
4.Is currently working toward fulfilling the CPE/CHFP/CUXP requirement of three years practical experience as a human factors and ergonomics professional.
NOTE: A person who has graduated from a human factors/ergonomics degree program accredited by an IEA Federated Society (e.g., HFES), is not required to take Part I of the CPE/CHFP written examination.
Q: What are the qualification I must have to apply for the CEA designation?
A: The criteria for designation as a CEA are:
1.A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university.
2.At least 200 contact hours of ergonomics training.
3.Two (2) years of full-time practice in ergonomics.
4.Documentation of education, employment history, and work experience by means of the BCPE “Application for CEA Certification.”
5.A passing score on the CEA written examination.
Q: Does BCPE still offer certification by portfolio review?
A: No. Certification by portfolio review was discontinued on July 30, 2008.
Q: I have a MA/MS degree in a field other than ergonomics/human factors, does this satisfy the education requirement for CPE/CHFP certification?
A: The BCPE recognizes that people enter into the profession of ergonomics/human factors from a variety of academic backgrounds and occupational experiences. Whether or not a particular degree satisfies the educational requirement for CPE/CHFP certification depends on the coursework comprising the degree. To be considered, degree coursework must consist of classes from the life sciences, engineering sciences and behavioral sciences and sufficiently span the categories and subtopics of the Ergonomist Formation Model (EFM).
Q: I do not meet the education requirement for CPE/CHFP or CEA certification, but have been practicing ergonomics for X number of years. Can I apply for certification?
A: Again, the BCPE recognizes that people enter into the profession of ergonomics/ human factors from a variety of academic backgrounds and occupational experiences. Individuals who lack the required educational preparation may request a waiver of the education requirement. The waiver must demonstrate the candidate has acquired the kind of knowledge normally obtained through academic training and be comparable to the level of education required for the certification sought.
Q: What qualifies for the CEA requirement of 200 contact hours of ergonomics training?
A:Contact hours refers to training/education occurring in a classroomsetting. Coursework from any degrees obtained, seminars, workshops, and/or continuing education courses will be considered, if it falls within one of the categories/subtopics of the Ergonomist Formation Model (EFM). This education/training is expected to span the breadth of the EFM and not be overly concentrated in any one particular category/subtopic.
Q: How is the 200 contact hours of ergonomics training calculated?
A: The following equations should be used to convert credits to contact hours: 3 Semester credits = 40 contact hours; 3 Quarter credits = 30 contact hours; 1.0 CEU credit = 10 contact hours.
Q: Where can I find courses and/or degrees to meet the education requirement for CPE/CHFP/CUXP or CEA certification?
A:The Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES) provides information on graduate and undergraduate programs in Ergonomics/Human Factors at http://www.hfes.org/web/Students/students.html.
Q: What is the procedure for applying for certification?
A: 1.Download an application from the Online Store.
2.Complete the application and submit it with the nonrefundable application processing fee and an official academic degree transcript to BCPE.
3.The application is evaluated and a recommendation made as to whether or not the candidate qualifies for the written examination.
4.The candidate takes the written examination. Upon achieving a passing score. the certification is awarded.
Q: Does BCPE offer “examination preparation” courses or “old exams”?
A:No. However, a recommended reading list and sample exam questions are provided in BCPE’s Candidate Handbook: Certification Policies, Practices & Procedures. A copy of the Handbook can be downloaded from the BCPE Store.
Q: What topics are covered on the examinations?
A: The examinations sample broadly from both the “work content” and “work context” of professional ergonomics practice. The approximate distribution of general topics are:
1.Methods and Techniques (30%)
2.Design of Human-Machine Interface (25%)
3.Humans as Systems Components (Capabilities/Limitations) (25%)
4.Systems Design and Organization (15%)
5.Professional Practice (5%)
Refer to the Ergonomist Formation Model (EFM) for more specific topics.
