Demonstrating knowledge and experience in the practice of Systems Engineering
If you have just started practicing – or want to start practicing – systems engineering, then ASEP is for you. This certification is for people at the beginning of their career as a systems engineer. The ASEP has “book knowledge” but not yet significant experience as a systems engineer.
If you are a practicing Systems Engineer with more than five years of systems engineering professional work experience, then CSEP is for you.
If you are a systems engineering leader with recognized systems accomplishments and have many years of systems engineering professional work experience, then ESEP is for you.
180 USD
PPP2 Countries:25% fee reduction
PPP3 Countries:50% fee reduction
LST-103
Computer Exam 80 USD
Paper Exam Fee varies
100 USD(every 5 years)
100 USD(every 3 years)
630 USD
* INCOSE membership is required for all applicants starting in 2016. Membership is not required for renewal for CSEPs who paid their application fee before 1 January 2016, unless there has been a lapse in their certification.
Application fees are the non-refundable fees paid for the processing, review, and data management of your certification application. These are paid once to INCOSE when the application is submitted. The only time these fees are required more than once is if you start over with the application process. Examination Fees are the non-refundable fees paid to take the knowledge examinations. If you fail the exam, you may be allowed to take it again (for a total of three attempts to pass the exam during the twelve month application period) and will have to pay the exam fee for each attempt. Fees are paid online during registration for the exam. Fees for computer exams are listed in the fee table above. Fees for paper exams vary, with some being offered for free and others charging up to 80 USD, depending on the type of event at which the exam is held. Membership fees are the non-refundable fees paid to be an INCOSE member, independent of certification. Candidates for certification at all levels must be INCOSE individual members. Renewal fees are the non-refundable fees paid for the processing, review, and data management of your certification renewal. These are paid every three years (CSEP) or five years (ASEP) to INCOSE when the renewal documentation is submitted. Non-standard fees described in the following sections may be charged in exceptional cases where applicants choose to reschedule their exam on short notice or do not submit their renewal paperwork by the deadline.
The INCOSE Certification Office can accept a single payment from companies to cover the certification application costs for a group of employees named with the payment. The named employees have one year from the time of the group payment to complete their individual certification that includes submitting the application form and scheduling and passing an exam. INCOSE does not collect fees for certification exams; requests to pay for multiple exams using a single payment could be discussed with Prometric but have not previously been successful. The Group Application Form can be found on the Certification forms page.
The exam provider charges a fee for exams scheduled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the test time. Failing to appear on the test date or appearing more than 15 minutes after the scheduled exam start time will result in forfeiture of the entire exam fee. INCOSE does not have the ability to alter these fees.
In 2008, the certification program added its first extension. This extension, designated “Acq,” was for professionals that work in the United States Department of Defense acquisition environment and was earned by first achieving the CSEP designation and then taking an additional acquisition exam based on the Defense Acquisition Guidebook Chapter 4, on Systems Engineering. The Acquisition extension was retired in 2014. The computer-based knowledge exam was the primary path to ASEP and CSEP certification until 2018, when the paper exam overtook it in popularity. The paper exam has the same format of questions as the computer exam but is offered to a group in a classroom setting. It also follows a slightly different process from the computer exam, with candidates allowed to take the paper exam prior to joining INCOSE or applying for certification. These steps are still required for those who wish to get certified after taking the exam.
In 2023, a paper and poster explained the expansion of the certification program and its growth as a system of systems.
The INCOSE Certification Program began recognizing equivalency from other programs in 2013, starting with the German SEZert. This led to agreements with INCOSE UK and SESA (Australia) for country-local paths to certification and then to academic equivalencies. In 2018, INCOSE recognized its first Academic Equivalency, allowing students to meet the knowledge requirement for ASEP and CSEP certification through their coursework, without taking the knowledge exam. This is anticipated to be a useful path for candidates to demonstrate knowledge in languages other than English and without travel to testing centers.
Certification Program Manager
The Certification Program Manager (PM) is a paid contractor who leads the strategic and tactical operations of the Certification Program. As the primary spokesperson for the Program, the PM coordinates volunteer work and leads new initiatives until they are ready to transition to operations. The PM works with the INCOSE Board of Directors to set policy.
The Certification Operations team are paid contractors who interact with candidates, volunteers, the test administrators and the PM to ensure daily activities go smoothly. This team implements policy and, as the front-line of the Program, identifies situations that need further guidance.
Certification Operations Manager
Chapter & Certification Coordinator
This group of ESEP or senior CSEP volunteers serve three-year, renewable terms to provide strategic direction and advice to the Certification PM and the INCOSE Board of Directors.
Over fifty volunteers, who are all either CSEPs or ESEPs, are trained and commit to a two-year, renewable term to review CSEP and ESEP application packages.
The exam writers, reviewers, and editors are volunteers who develop the questions for the INCOSE knowledge exam. This is a rotating group of volunteers who may participate with as little as a five-hour commitment. Learn more about these roles and volunteer to participate in them on the INCOSE Volunteer Opportunity Board:
Trying to submit an application, schedule an exam or renewal but not sure what the process is? Check out our new help guide section for the INCOSE SEP Program! If you don't see what you are looking for, please notify certification@incose.net.
No additional application materials are allowed to be submitted for the appeal.
You may get advice and an explanation of your application denial from the Certification Program Manager. If you are denied and wish to appeal, use the Appeal form and contact the Program Manager at certification@incose.net.