If you do not pass the experience review, you may appeal for cause or you may choose to apply for CSEP
ESEP Certification Steps
There are 4 basic steps to becoming certified at this level. All must occur in this order. The application materials are reviewed by trained Certification Application Reviewers.
- Create an INCOSE Profile
- Apply in the INCOSE Portal (linked below)
- Submit Individual Application Form 41 (linked below) at portal.incose.org (This is done through your INCOSE Profile)
- Pay the application fee. Payment is valid for 12 months, and the fee is non-refundable.
- INCOSE members receive discounted fees.
- Share your Application Form 41 with your references. The references complete a Digital Reference Letter (Form 4B). Reference forms will not be accepted if submitted by the applicant.
- Pass the leadership interview
- You will be invited to respond to written questions about your technical leadership experience
- You may be invited to participate in a one-hour phone interview to discuss your technical leadership
- Your references may also be asked to participate in phone interviews
Upon Certification
Once you have completed all the required steps, the INCOSE Certification Office will send you a congratulatory email, and your e-certificate will become available in your INCOSE Portal profile.
You are expected to continue your professional development but are not required to submit documentation of it to INCOSE.
ESEP FAQs
How long does the ESEP review process take?
Our review and processing typically takes two to three months. The review starts once all of an applicant’s materials, including references are received. If the review team have questions, you may be emailed to provide clarification. In this case the review team waits until the candidate submits an update.
During busy times of year, particularly when our volunteers are unavailable due to holidays, reviews may take longer. Candidates concerned about delays in their review should check their INCOSE profile at incose.org to see if all references have been received.
Are the interview questions for ESEP similar to the exam questions for ASEP and CSEP?
No, the interview is about an individual’s technical leadership experience, not a knowledge check of the INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook.
How do I complete and submit my application form?
You must complete and submit your application directly through the INCOSE Portal by navigating to Certification > Apply for Certification, selecting your desired SEP certification level (ESEP), and clicking “Click here to begin a new submission.”
You may save your application as a draft and take as much time as needed to complete it. Once you are satisfied with the information you have provided, you can pay the application fee and submit your application through the INCOSE Portal.
How should my references submit their reference letters?
Once you have paid and submitted your application through the INCOSE Portal, you will be directed to a page where you can enter the names and email addresses of your references. After you send the requests, your references will be granted access to your application and asked to verify the information you have provided.
You will be able to track the status of each reference letter within the Portal. Once all reference letters have been completed, you must click “Save and Submit” in the Work Experience References tab to officially submit the reference package so that INCOSE can begin the review process.
I started my application before the new Portal went live. Can I continue using the previous Form 4B template or the PDF version?
Yes. If you started your application before the INCOSE Portal migration and it is still in progress, the Certification Office will continue to accept the previous Form 4B template, including the PDF version. Applicants who use the older forms for these in-progress applications will not be adversely affected.
For Applicants in the United Kingdom (UK)
If you are located in the UK, please apply directly through the UK site below. For general inquiries regarding Certification in the UK, email [email protected]