Frequently Asked Questions

CPEA REGISTRY

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CERTIFICATION
Continuing Professional Development
Reporting Requirements for CPEAs

BEAC Certified Professional Environmental Auditors are required to maintain and submit objective evidence of 40 hours of continuing professional development every two years, relevant to items identified in education and experience requirements in BEAC Qualification Criteria. Download the Guidelines. It is the CPEA’s responsibility to assure that the CPD hours claimed conform to the guidelines established by The BEAC’s Board of Directors.  Forms are submitted and serve as signed statements that all applicable continuing professional development requirements have been met.  CPD hours must be reported every two years based upon the annual renewal date.  BEAC will issue an wallet card to each CPEA meeting the requirements of continued certification.  Additionally, BEAC will keep information on the active/inactive status of CPEAs.

The BEAC Board of Directors, upon request, may grant partial or complete exemption from CPD requirements for individuals when good cause exists, such as military service or individual hardship.

Each CPEA should complete and submit the CPD Reporting Form. Unless selected for audit, supporting documentation is not required.  Each CPEA should maintain a copy of the CPD reporting form, along with all supporting documentation, for at least three years.  Records must be made available to BEAC or its designee at BEAC’s request.   The records maintained by the CPEA in support of the reporting form filed with BEAC should include, as appropriate, the following information:
a) Title of program and/or description of content.
b) Dates attended.
c) Location of course or program.
d) Sponsoring organization.
e) Contact hours of credit as recommended by the course sponsor.
f) A letter, certificate, or other written independent attestation of course completion.
g) Documentation supporting publications, oral presentations, and committee or other participation.
 

Active CPEAs:

A CPEA who is performing environmental or health and safety auditing functions must complete a total of 40 hours of acceptable CPD every two years and pay an annual certification fee.

Inactive (non-practicing) CPEAs:

A CPEA who no longer performs environmental or health and safety auditing functions due to a career or personal change, but who wishes to maintain their CPEA certification designation, may request "Inactive" status by notifying the Certification Department in writing. Inactive CPEAs must complete a total of 20 hours of CPD activities every two years and pay a reduced annual certification fee. As long as these requirements are met, Inactive CPEAs may continue to use the CPEA designation. However, an Inactive CPEA may NOT practice environmental or health and safety auditing under this designation. To do so would be in violation of BEAC's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

Inactive CPEAs may request a return to active CPEA status by notifying the Certification Department in writing.  Inactive CPEAs must report 40 CPD hours for the prior two years when applying for restoration to active status and pay the difference in the annual renewal fee.

Emeritus (retired) CPEAs:

A CPEA who no longer performs environmental or health and safety auditing functions because they have retired from the workforce, but who wishes to maintain their CPEA certification designation, may request "Emeritus" status by notifying the Certification Department in writing. Emeritus CPEAs are required to pay a reduced fee to maintain their designation, but are not required to complete CPD activities. As long as the annual fee is paid, Emeritus CPEAs may continue to use the CPEA designation. However, an Emeritus CPEA may NOT practice environmental or health and safety auditing under this designation. To do so would be in violation of BEAC's Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct.

Emeritus CPEAs may request a return to active CPEA status by notifying the Certification Department in writing.  Emeritus CPEAs must report 40 CPD hours for the prior two years when applying for restoration to active status and pay the difference in the annual renewal fee.

Termination of CPEA Status:

CPEAs who do not provide evidence they have met the CPD requirements or fail to maintain the annual certification fee will have their certification revoked. Three notices will be sent regarding delinquent requirements. If there is no response by the third notice, BEAC will send a final notice by certified mail. If there is still no response, the CPEA designation will be terminated. Once certification is terminated, the application process must be started over, including successful completion of any required examination.