BCPE LAUNCHES NEW CEA CERTIFICATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 1998

Contact: Dieter Jahns, CPE
BCPE Executive Director
360/671-7601

Bellingham, WA. After two years of development, spearheaded by BCPE past-president Jerry R. Duncan, PhD, CPE and continuously moved forward by the BCPE directors under the management of current BCPE President Valerie J. Rice, PhD, CPE, the BCPE (Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics) is launching an important new technician level of certification. The need for this certification level has been identified from market surveys of employers, and from ergonomics practitioner job and task analyses. This level of certification provides an assessment process enabling individuals to demonstrate entry-level practitioner knowledge, experience, and skills. The Certified Ergonomics Associate (CEA), the BCPE designation for this level of ergonomics practice, uses commonly accepted tools and methods (those extensively used, widely reported in the literature, or having established protocols) to analyze and support human performance requirements in operational systems. The CEA credential recognizes a person for achieving the following levels of knowledge, skills, and experience in ergonomics practice: (1) a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, (2) at least 200 hours of ergonomics training, (3) at least two full years practicing ergonomics, and (4) obtaining a satisfactory score on the BCPE four-hour, two-part, multiple-choice examination on ergonomics foundations and ergonomics practice methods. The CEA certification will serve, among others, people with a Bachelor’s degree in disciplines such as engineering, health care/rehabilitation, industrial hygiene, and psychology.

In addition to the CEA, the BCPE awards the following certifications:

The CPE (Certified Professional Ergonomist) or CHFP (Certified Human Factors Professional) is awarded to an individual who has a Master’s degree in ergonomics or a related discipline, at least 4 years full time experience in the practice of ergonomics, and a passing score on the BCPE CPE/CHFP 7-hour examination. A CPE/CHFP is involved in the full spectrum of ergonomics analysis, design, test and evaluation activities.

The AEP (Associate Ergonomics Professional) or AHFP (Associate Human Factors Professional) is awarded to an individual who has recently graduated from a Master’s Degree program accredited by an International Ergonomics Association federated society, or, if graduated from a non-accredited program, after receiving a passing score on the BCPE AEP written 2-hour examination. An AEP or AHFP is considered an "ergonomist-in-training" expected to apply for the designation of CPE/CHFP after achieving four years of ergonomics experience.

For more information on professional certification processes and designators offered by the BCPE, please contact the staff by phone: 360-671-7601, FAX: 360-671-7681, email: bcpehq@aol.com, web site: http://www.bcpe.org, or mail: P. O. Box 2811 Bellingham WA 98227.

The Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics is an independent, nonprofit organization formed in 1990. The BCPE is a corporate member of NOCA (National Organization for Competency Assurance) and adheres to its competency assessment criteria and policies.