SAME is invested in providing members with the tools and resources to develop and advance their careers within the A/E/C profession.
The Credentialing Committee is a sub-group of the Young Professionals Community of Interest, and is working to help members understand the importance of credentials, what credentials apply to the A/E/C profession, and how to get and maintain them.
What are Credentials?
Licenses and accredited certifications are complementary credentials. Licenses define the individuals legally authorized permission to offer regulated services to the public whereas certifications do not. Accredited certification programs have been scrutinized by one or more of the three nationally-recognized certification accreditation bodies. Certifications enable professionals to pursue specialized skills in their field of practice and stay on the front end of technical capabilities.
Why is Credentialing Important?
Maintaining professional credentials demonstrate a level of technical competency in a specific field. For uniformed servicemembers, attaining credentials while serving in uniform improves technical skills and increases potential for promotion. After leaving the service, the same credentials can help individuals earn a position with higher initial pay.
Credentials measure an individual’s objective capabilities and technical credibility. The possession of one or more of these credentials indicates to the public that the holder’s capabilities have been vetted using regularly accepted practices.
Answering the Why: An Interview with the Young Professionals COI Credentialing Committee
Many members of SAME hold one or more professional licenses—everything from Registered Architect, Certified Professional Services Marketer, Project Management Professional, and, of course, Professional Engineer. However, sifting through the variety of credentials available can sometimes be overwhelming. While acquiring a credential can open up new and better career paths for members, locating resources about where those career paths may lead isn’t always easy.
Credentialing Assistance Program
The Young Professionals COI oversees SAME’s Credentialing Assistance Program to promote the professional development of Young Professionals and Enlisted Members in support of the Society’s Strategic Plan. The Credentialing Assistance Program provides financial support for professional development, education, licensure and certification preparation, exam testing, and mentoring initiatives to benefit members.
SAME will reimburse a portion of exam sitting or registration fees as well as reimburse for costs of testing preparation and training materials upon confirmation of passing of an exam.
Eligibility Requirements
- This program is open to all SAME members, regardless of age.
- Applicants must be a member of SAME for at least 18 months before applying.
- Applicants must have passed the respective examination and provide required documentation with the application.
What the Program Covers
- This program will provide financial assistance for exam sitting fees, registration fees, and/or study expenses (such as books or classes for the specific exam).
Program Restrictions
- No single government official or employee shall receive through this assistance program more than $200 in assistance, whether one time or multiple times.
- No single private sector individual shall receive through this program more than $500 in assistance, whether one time or multiple times.
Non-Listed Credentials
- A SAME member may request reimbursement for a credential not listed. The Credentialing Committee will evaluate the information in the application and determine whether or not to approve the request. Additional information may be requested.
Questions? Contact Jeannine Finton at jfinton@same.org.
Industry’s Top Credentials
Certified Construction Manager
Certified Energy Manager
Certified Facility Manager
Certified Professional Services Marketer
Design Build Institute of America
Facility Management Professional
Leadership In Energy and Environmental Design
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies
Professional Engineer
Project Management Professional
Registered Architect
Additional Information/Resources
The Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard offer portals, credentialing opportunity online (COOL), that highlight nationally recognized engineering and STEM-related credentials to help military engineers shape their career development while in uniform and in preparation for their transition to the private sector.
American Concrete Institute (ACI)
- Concrete Field Testing Tech
- Concrete Strength Testing Tech
- Concrete Lab Testing Tech, Levels I and II
AABC Commissioning Group (ACG)
Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE)
- Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM)
- Certified Plant Engineer (CPE)
- Certified Plant Supervisor
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI)
- Registered Communications Distribution Designer (RCDD
- Registered Telecommunications Project Manager (RTPM)
- Data Center Design Consultant (DCDC)
- Outside Plant (OSP) Designer
Cable Installers Certifications
- Non-Renewable Certificate (INST1)
- Installer 2, Copper (INSTC)
- Installer 2, Optical Fiber (INSTF)
- Technician (TECH)
Construction Management Association of America (CMAA)
Design Build Institute of America (DBIA)
Energy Management Association (EMA)
Institute of Certified Professional Managers (ICPM)
International Facility Management Association (IFMA)
- Facility Management Professional (FMP)
- Sustainability Facility Professional
- Certified Facility Manager
International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)
- ASEP, Systems Engineering Professional (entry level)
- CSEP, Systems Engineering Professional (foundation level)
- ESEP, Systems Engineering Professional (senior level)
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
- Leadership in Energy & Environment Design (LEED), Green Associations
- Leadership in Energy & Environment Design (LEED), Applied Practices (AP)
National Center for Construction and Education Research (NCCER)
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES)
National Commission for the Certification of Crane Operators (NCCCO)
National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (NICET)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX)
United Association Veterans in Piping (UA VIP)
Earning the P.E. license has benefited me in some surprising ways. I knew it was a requirement for promotion, but what I didn’t realize was how it would change my decision-making. Getting my license has made me think through every decision I make and consider whether I’m the right person for it based on my experience or credential. I find that having that license has benefited me because it’s made sure that I’m only making decisions I should be making.
Lt. Cdr. Tim Dahms, P.E., CEC, USN, Vice Chair for Credentialing, SAME Young Professionals COI