ICEAA Professional Certifications
ICEAA certifications recognize professionals who demonstrate expertise in cost estimating and analysis. Earning a PCEA®, CCEA®, or SCEC certification demonstrates your commitment to professional excellence and your ability to apply industry-recognized cost estimating practices.
Whether you are beginning your career, advancing as an experienced cost professional, or specializing in software cost estimating, ICEAA offers a certification path designed to validate your knowledge and skills.
Choose the Certification That Fits Your Career
ICEAA offers three professional certifications. Review the options below to determine which certification best matches your experience and career goals.
| Certification | Best For | Experience Requirement | Exam Requirement | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA®) | Professionals beginning their careers in cost estimating and related fields. | Candidates may take the exam before completing two years of experience. Two years of qualifying experience is required to receive the certification. | Pass Exam Part I. | 3 years. Renewal requires retaking the exam. |
| Certified Cost Estimator/Analyst (CCEA®) | Experienced cost professionals seeking ICEAA’s primary professional certification. | 5 years of relevant cost-related experience required for certification. Candidates with less experience may qualify for a CCEA-Eligible designation. | Pass Exam Part I and Part II. | 5 years. Renewable through continuing education points or by retaking the exam. |
| Software Cost Estimating Certification (SCEC) | Professionals specializing in software cost estimating. | 2 years of hands-on software cost estimating experience. | Pass the SCEC exam. | 5 years. Renewable through continuing education points or by retaking the exam. |
How to Become ICEAA Certified
The certification process is designed to verify your education, professional experience, and knowledge of cost estimating and analysis principles.
- Submit your application.
Complete the online certification application and provide information about your education and professional experience. - Receive approval.
ICEAA will review your application and confirm whether you meet the requirements to sit for your selected exam. - Pay your exam fee.
Approved candidates will receive instructions for purchasing their exam. - Prepare and take your exam.
Use ICEAA study resources and complete the required exam(s) for your certification. - Receive your certification.
Successful candidates will receive their certificate and be added to ICEAA’s list of certified professionals.
Certification Requirements at a Glance
PCEA®
The PCEA® certification is designed for professionals who are developing their cost estimating and analysis careers.
- College degree in any discipline.
- Employment in a cost-estimating or cost-adjacent field, including estimating, scheduling, budgeting, finance, data analysis, or project/program management.
- Pass ICEAA Exam Part I.
- Two years of qualifying experience are required to receive the PCEA® certification.
Candidates who pass Exam Part I before completing two years of experience receive the designation PCEA-Eligible. Once the experience requirement is verified by ICEAA, the PCEA® certification will be awarded.
CCEA®
The CCEA® certification is ICEAA’s primary professional certification and recognizes advanced proficiency in cost estimating and analysis.
- College degree in any discipline.
- Employment in a cost-estimating or cost-adjacent field.
- Five years of qualifying experience for full certification.
- Pass ICEAA Exam Parts I and II.
Candidates with two to five years of experience may sit for the CCEA® examination. Candidates who pass both exam parts before meeting the experience requirement receive the designation PCEA (CCEA-Eligible) until their five years of experience are verified.
SCEC
The Software Cost Estimating Certification (SCEC) recognizes professionals who demonstrate expertise in software cost estimating practices and techniques.
- College degree in any discipline.
- At least two years of hands-on software cost estimating experience.
- Proof of purchase of ICEAA’s CEBoK-S training material.
- Pass the SCEC examination.
Beginning January 1, 2024, all candidates seeking to take the SCEC exam must purchase or provide proof of purchase of CEBoK-S training material before sitting for the exam.
Application Process
To begin the certification process, complete the online certification application.
Your application identifies the certification exam(s) you wish to take and provides ICEAA with the information needed to verify your education, employment, and experience requirements.
After submitting your application, ICEAA will review your qualifications. Approved candidates will receive instructions for purchasing their exam and scheduling their testing session.
Exam Registration and Fees
ICEAA certification exams are administered online using a secure testing platform with virtual AI proctoring.
ICEAA membership is $150 per year and provides discounted exam pricing.
| Exam | ICEAA Member Rate | Non-Member Rate |
|---|---|---|
| CCEA® Full Exam (Parts I&II) | $300 | $475 |
| PCEA® (Part I only) | $165 | $275 |
| CCEA® Part II | $165 | $250 |
| SCEC | $350 | $515 |
| Exam Retakes | ||
| CCEA® Full Exam (Parts I&II) | $115 | $115 |
| PCEA® (Part I only) | $65 | $65 |
| CCEA® Part II | $75 | $75 |
| SCEC | $170 | $170 |
To register, log into your ICEAA profile or create an account. Select the desired exam and complete your purchase. If you purchase membership and an exam at the same time, the member discount will appear during final checkout.
Preparing for Your Exam
Candidates should begin studying before their application is approved. ICEAA certification exams measure proficiency in the principles and practices of cost estimating and analysis as outlined in ICEAA’s Cost Estimating Body of Knowledge (CEBoK®).
PCEA® and CCEA® Preparation
- The primary study resource for PCEA® and CCEA® candidates is the Cost Estimating Body of Knowledge (CEBoK®).
- CEBoK® provides comprehensive training in cost estimating and analysis concepts and covers the knowledge areas tested on the PCEA® and CCEA® exams.
- CEBoK® is available free to active ICEAA members through the ICEAA Portal.
- The PCEA® exam focuses primarily on terminology, concepts, and fundamental calculations. The CCEA® exam includes more advanced calculations, applications, analysis, and evaluation of cost estimating scenarios.
Additional PCEA® and CCEA® Resources
- ICEAA Professional Development & Training Workshop
- CCEA® Sample Questions
- PCEA® and CCEA® Formula Sheet
ICEAA also offers CEBoK® training videos and other educational resources through the ICEAA Store.
SCEC Preparation
SCEC exam questions are based on ICEAA’s Cost Estimating Body of Knowledge—Software (CEBoK-S).
CEBoK-S focuses on software cost estimating practices, including software sizing, development effort and cost estimation, sustainment and maintenance estimation, risk, uncertainty, data analysis, and evaluation of software cost estimates.
A PCEA® or CCEA® certification is not required to pursue SCEC certification; however, candidates should have a strong understanding of cost estimating principles.
All candidates must purchase or provide proof of purchase of CEBoK-S training material before taking the SCEC exam.
Taking the Certification Exam
After your application has been approved and your exam fee has been paid, ICEAA will provide instructions for accessing the online testing system.
Before your scheduled exam, you will receive a link to complete a system check. Complete this check in advance to identify and resolve any technical issues before exam day.
Exam Format
| Exam | Format | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|
| PCEA® (CCEA® Part I) | 60 multiple-choice questions | 2 hours |
| CCEA® Part II | 50 multiple-choice questions | 2 hours |
| SCEC | 60 multiple-choice questions | 90 minutes |
Testing Best Practices
ICEAA has surveyed successful exam candidates and have observed thousands of professionals’ preparation and performance over the years and has compiled the following testing best practices:
- Thoroughly review the CEBoK® materials. ICEAA recommends approximately 3-4 months to fully absorb the material. Download our notional study plan.
- Studying in groups is encouraged. Collaborative learning environments improve retention and provide peer support.
- Commit to memory the formulas you will need for the exam. This information can be found in the Additional Resources Section for each module of CEBoK®. Download the PCEA/CCEA Exams Formula Sheet
- Review the Testable Topics table for each module
Technical Requirements
ICEAA certification exams must be taken on a desktop or laptop computer with an integrated webcam and microphone. Exams cannot be completed on mobile devices, tablets, or smartphones.
- Latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.
- Working webcam and microphone.
- Ability to install the required browser extension.
- Reliable internet connection.
- Ability to access the testing platform through your network.
- Additional information can be found on the Certification FAQ.
Employer-provided computers and networks may restrict access to required websites or downloads. Review the ICEAA Online Exam System Requirements with your IT department if you plan to use a work computer. If your employer’s equipment or network is not compatible, you may use a personal computer.
Preparing Your Testing Environment
Before beginning your exam:
- Complete your system check at least one week before your exam whenever possible.
- Use a quiet location where you will not be interrupted.
- Disconnect additional monitors.
- Position your webcam so your face remains visible throughout the exam.
- Remove headsets and earphones.
- Remove phones, tablets, and other electronic devices from your testing area.
- Clear your workspace of notes, books, and reference materials.
- Do not use browser search functions such as Ctrl+F during the exam.
ICEAA exams are closed-book examinations. Notes, reference materials, outside assistance, or unauthorized devices are not permitted.
Candidates may use one blank sheet of paper and a writing instrument for calculations. You must show both sides of the paper to the proctor before beginning the exam.
The exam software includes an integrated calculator. An external calculator is not required.
Additional information can be found on the Certification FAQ.
AI Proctoring Requirements
ICEAA certification exams use AI proctoring technology to help protect exam integrity. The system monitors your webcam, microphone, and computer activity during the exam.
The system may flag situations such as:
- Another person appearing in your camera view.
- Looking away from the screen for extended periods.
- Use of additional devices.
- Opening other websites or programs.
- Other activity that may indicate a testing violation.
Candidates receive one warning if a potential violation is detected. A second violation may result in the exam being closed, locked, and marked as failed.
ICEAA recommends that candidates do not take exams in public locations, shared offices, or other areas where interruptions are likely.
For additional information, review the Certification FAQ.
Technical Issues During the Exam
The testing platform continuously saves exam responses. If a technical problem occurs, such as a temporary internet interruption or power outage, you will be able to continue after the issue is resolved.
Technical support for system or software-related issues is available 24 hours per day. If you have a problem that prevents you from completing your exam, ICEAA will review the situation within 24 business hours and provide further instructions.
Shortly after your application is approved, you will receive a link to a practice exam that will allow you to familiarize yourself with the exam layout and test your system capability. We especially recommend using the ScratchPad Practice link before your exam to become familiar with the on-screen spreadsheet tool that is available for use during the exam.
ScratchPad functions similarly to Excel but does not include the Excel interface, VBA/macros, graphing, or user-defined functions. Use of keyboard short cuts such as the ctrl+f, alt+tab, or other similar commands will be flagged as web browsing and will shut down the exam.
Additional information:
If your exam session is interrupted because of a suspected testing violation, ICEAA will review the available exam records. If an infraction is confirmed, the exam may be marked as failed and any retake will be subject to applicable retake fees and waiting periods.
If ICEAA determines that the exam was incorrectly invalidated, a retake may be permitted at no charge. In this case, the process for ICEAA to review the available exam records and coordinate with the exam software provider to reopen the candidates exam may take up to 48 hours. The exam will resume at the last completed question with all previous answers up to that point saved.
Testing Accommodations
If you require special accommodations to take the exam, contact the International Business Office to discuss your options.
You will be asked to provide additional documentation to support your accommodation request.
Any accommodations must be documented and completed before the exam attempt is scheduled; accommodations will not be considered once an exam is administered.
All information provided will be treated confidentially.
Contact:
703-642-3090
iceaa@iceaaonline.org
After the Exam
ICEAA will provide your exam result approximately 10 business days after your exam is completed. Results will be sent to the email address provided on your certification application.
Candidates who successfully complete the certification requirements will receive a PDF certificate and will be added to ICEAA’s list of current certified professionals.
Certification listings are maintained only for active certifications. Individuals whose certifications expire or who have not submitted required certification payments will not appear on the public certification list.
If You Do Not Pass the Exam
Candidates who do not pass an exam may retake the exam portion they did not pass, subject to ICEAA retake limits and applicable fees.
| Exam | Maximum Attempts | Retake Fee |
|---|---|---|
| PCEA® / CCEA® Part I | No more than two attempts in a six-month period or three attempts in a twelve-month period. | $65 |
| CCEA® Part II | No more than two attempts in a six-month period or three attempts in a twelve-month period. | $75 |
| SCEC | No more than two attempts in a six-month period or three attempts in a twelve-month period. | $170 |
Exam results are provided as pass/fail. Failing scores may be provided upon request.
For candidates who do not pass an exam, ICEAA will identify and communicate their three lowest-scoring topic areas to help guide future study efforts. ICEAA does not provide specific questions answered incorrectly, correct answers, or partial credit.
If a candidate passes both CCEA® exam parts but has not yet completed the required five years of professional experience required for CCEA® designation, the candidate may use the PCEA® designation until the experience requirement is met and verified, and will be listed as PCEA (CCEA-Eligible) on the Current Certifications list.
Renewing Your Certification
Maintaining your ICEAA certification demonstrates your continued commitment to professional development and current cost estimating practices.
| Certification | Validity Period | Renewal Method |
|---|---|---|
| PCEA® | 3 years | Retake the PCEA® exam. |
| CCEA® | 5 years | Earn qualifying recertification points or retake the certification exam. |
| SCEC | 5 years | Earn qualifying recertification points or retake the certification exam. |
CCEA® and SCEC Recertification
CCEA® and SCEC certificants may renew their certifications by earning qualifying professional development points during their certification period.
Candidates should maintain records of qualifying activities, including:
- Continuing education courses.
- ICEAA workshops, conferences, and seminars.
- Relevant professional training.
- ICEAA membership.
- Professional contributions to ICEAA and its chapters.
- Other approved cost estimating and analysis activities.
A total of 30 recertification points is required. Review the ICEAA Recertification Application for details on qualifying activities and point values.
ICEAA recommends maintaining your professional development records throughout your certification period rather than waiting until renewal is due.
Recertification Timeline
- ICEAA will send reminders beginning approximately six months before certification expiration.
- Recertification applications may be submitted up to six months (180 days) after expiration.
- After approval, candidates will receive instructions for paying the recertification fee.
Candidates who do not complete recertification requirements may reinstate their certification by successfully retaking the applicable exam(s).
Additional Information and Resources
The following resources can help candidates plan, prepare, and complete the ICEAA certification process.
- Certification Program Details (PDF)
- CEBoK® Training Material
- CCEA® Sample Questions (PDF)
- PCEA® and CCEA® Formula Sheet (PDF)
- Certification FAQ
Trademark Notice:
CCEA® is a registered trademark owned by the International Cost Estimating & Analysis Association (ICEAA). USPTO: #4040978
PCEA® is a registered trademark owned by the International Cost Estimating & Analysis Association (ICEAA). USPTO: #4040979
CEBoK® is a registered trademark owned by the International Cost Estimating & Analysis Association (ICEAA). USPTO: #85209502