Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals
Recertification Requirements
The AHEPP HcEM Certification was developed based on the AHEPP Professional Standards. This certification is meant to verify knowledge of the individual HcEM. We hope that this verification of individuals leads to an increased level of professionalism in the field.
The AHEPP Professional Standards and Certification was developed by a large committee of experience Healthcare Emergency Managers from across the US and Canada. These committed individuals spent countless hours perfecting these standards and processes and AHEPP and the entire Healthcare Emergency Management community is indebted to them for their contributions.
AHEPP Re-Certification Process
The Association of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness Professionals (AHEPP) is committed to maintaining high standards in healthcare emergency management. Our recertification process ensures that certified professionals continue to demonstrate expertise and commitment to the field. This document outlines the recertification process in a professional and structured format.
Re-Certification Overview
Certified professionals must undergo re-certification every two years to maintain their Healthcare Emergency Management Certification (HcEM).
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Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
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Hold a current HcEM certification (Basic, Professional, or Master level).
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Accumulate the required Continuing Education (CE) Points every 2 years:
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HcEM-Basic: 20 CE Points
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HcEM-Professional: 40 CE Points
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HcEM-Master: 60 CE Points
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1 hour of continuing education = 1 CE Point.
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Refer to Appendix A (below) for a listing CE activity options.
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There are 2 types of CEPs. Continuing education/Professional Development and Professional Contribution to the field. The maximum number of Continuing Education/Professional Development CEPs is 20 at each level of certification.
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Non-listed CE activities require a justification letter aligning with AHEPP Professional Standards and Competencies.
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All CE documentation for conference/training attendance must include the agenda (subject/title, location, presenter credentials, institution), certificate of attendance, and proof of participation.
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Application Submission Process
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Complete the recertification application for your certification level.
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Submit all materials electronically via the AHEPP certification portal.
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Pay the recertification fee.
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Allow up to 6 weeks for review and decision by the Certification Committee.
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If accepted, certification will be renewed and updated on the AHEPP HcEM Certified site.
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If denied, applicants have 3 weeks to resubmit documents for appeal.
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Upgrade Applications
Applicants seeking an upgrade must meet additional requirements for the new certification level.
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Refer to certification requirements on the AHEPP website.
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Submit a justification letter detailing qualifications for the upgrade.
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Provide all documentation required for the level of new application.
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Contact Information
For questions or assistance with the recertification process, please contact AHEPP at hcemcertification@ahepp.org.
2 Buckets of CEPs
Max: 20
Continuing Education/Professional Development CEPs
All the rest
Professional Contribution CEPs
Continuing Education/Professional Development Activities
Below are lists of Conferences, Webinars, Courses, Trainings, and professional contributions in the field of healthcare emergency management that may be approved if sufficient documentation is submitted alongside a justification letter. Guidelines for documentation are as follows: 
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1-hour session = 1 Continuing Education Point (CEP) 
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A maximum of 20 Continuing Education points are allowed to apply towards HcEM recertification. For HcEM-P and HcEM-M, additional required CEPs must come from the Professional Contribution category. (details below) If you are applying for and HcEM-B Recertification, ALL of your CEPs can be from Continuing Education/Professional Development.
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Approval of the session will depend on the subject matter. All subject matter must be related to the AHEPP Professional Standards Core Competencies.
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Applicant must attach an Agenda 
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This includes subject/title, location, presenter credentials, and name of institution/sponsoring organization. 
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Applicants must be able to prove attendance of each session 
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Certificate of attendance or signed letter 
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The hours spent at a conference but not attending a session do not count. 
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Each CE can only be counted 1 time (i.e., attending the same session twice will only count as 1 time) 
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All sessions at the AHEPP Annual Conference are approved, and attendance will be logged into your AHEPP member account. The AHEPP Annual Conference is approved for 13 CEPs. AHEPP Conference attendance does not count toward the maximum learning/training points annually. The Annual AHEPP Conference is a unique combination of learning, networking, and collaboration. AHEPP Annual Attendance CEPs can be included in your continuing education bucket OR your field contribution bucket.
Continuing Education/Professional Development Activities
Training (Learning/Training points capped for all levels at 10 points maximum annually or 20 points per renewal period.)
Attendance at Live AHEPP Webinars 
Training and Webinars not- affiliated with AHEPP 
1 CEP per session 
1 CEP per session 
FEMA In Person Courses 
FEMA Independent Study Courses 
1 CEP for each education hour, maximum of 10 per year 
1 CEP for each education hour, maximum of 3 per year 
Attend other healthcare emergency management training 
1 CEP per session 
College/University Courses directly related to healthcare emergency management 
Conference Attendance
1 Academic Semester Credit = 15 CEPs
1 Academic Quarter Credit = 12 CEPs
1 CEP per hour related to AHEPP Professional Standards Core Competencies
Professional Contribution
Below are lists of professional contributions in the field of healthcare emergency management that may be approved if sufficient documentation is submitted alongside a justification letter. Guidelines for documentation are as followed: 
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1-hour session = 1 Continuing Education Point (CEP) 
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Approval may vary due to the session subject matter. All Professional Contribution subject matter must be related to the AHEPP Professional Standards Core Competencies.
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Must attach Agenda 
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This includes subject/title, location, presenter credentials, and name of institution/sponsoring organization. 
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Applicants must be able to prove attendance of each session 
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Certificate of attendance or signed letter 
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The hours spent at a conference but not in session do not count. 
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Each CE can only be counted 1 time (i.e., attending the same session twice will only count as 1 time) 
-
All sessions at the AHEPP Annual Conference are approved, and attendance will be logged into your AHEPP member account. The AHEPP Annual Conference is approved for 13 CEPs. AHEPP Conference attendance does not count toward the maximum learning/training points annually. The Annual AHEPP Conference is a unique combination of learning, networking, and collaboration. AHEPP Annual Attendance CEPs can be included in your continuing education bucket OR your field contribution bucket.
Professional Contribution
Professional Contribution to the Field of Healthcare Preparedness (all additional points earned will come from this category)
Teaching Healthcare Emergency Management Courses (1 per year per course) 
College/University Courses directly related to healthcare emergency management 
Creating a new healthcare EM training/college course
Presentation at the AHEPP Conference or Pre-Conference Workshop, or live webinars 
1 point per hour 
1 Academic Semester Credit = 15 CEPs
1 Academic Quarter Credit = 12 CEPs
2 points per class hour
3 points per hour of presentation (only presenter) 
1 point per hour of presentation (part of a panel or shared presenters) 
Providing/conducting training on a healthcare EM topic 
1 point per hour (can submit each unique presentation once per re-certification cycle) 
Healthcare Emergency Management Presentation at a Non-AHEPP Conference 
1 point per hour (can submit each unique presentation once per recertification cycle) 
Mentoring through the AHEPP MyMentor Program (if qualified) 
3 points per person per year (must be registered within the AHEPP program) 
Participation on an AHEPP Committee 
Certification Application Reviews (if HcEM-M level certified) 
10 points per annual assignment (must prove attendance at 80% of meetings)
Mastery – 1 point per review  
Professional – 1 point per 2 reviews 
Basic – 1 point per 3 reviews 
Additional Conference attendance/Training/and professional contributions will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the recertification review committee and/or individual reviewer recommendations. These items should have a clear connection to an AHEPP Core Competency. The applicant should submit a paragraph describing this link along with the other required documentation.