Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

You may apply for the CE designation if you meet each of the three eligibility requirements. We have created this Applicant Guide (with a Self-Assessment Checklist) to help you.

- Education: You must hold a graduate level degree (Master’s or PhD):

• granted from an accredited Canadian institution, according to https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/designated-schools.html  or the Social Sciences and Humanities Research of Canada; or
• granted from a recognized non-Canadian university on the list of the top 500 recognized world universities/institutes as found at https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/2023/world-ranking, or; https://cwur.org/2021-22.php; or
• deemed equivalent to Canadian education standards by a Canadian University (demonstrated through official record); or
• deemed equivalent by a Canadian academic credential assessment service.
  
  OR
• An undergraduate degree along with a Graduate Certificate/Diploma from a recognized university. This graduate certificate must be in Program Evaluation.

If the conditions above cannot be met, the applicant may be eligible to establish his or her educational equivalence through the Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) pathway. 

- Work experience: 

• Before September 1, 2024: You must have at least two years (full-time equivalent) of evaluation-related work experience within the last 10 years. Statements of work experience are to be supplemented with letter(s) of reference using the reference/sponsor form. 
• On or after September 1, 2024: You must have at least three years (full-time equivalent) of evaluation-related work experience within the last 10 years. The updated reference/sponsor form will be available in summer 2024.
  
  Note that in general, practicum or internship experience acquired during an educational program is NOT considered eligible work experience, as it is a designated component of the educational requirement.

- Competency: 

• Before September 1, 2024: You must have education and/or experience related to 70% of the competencies in EACH of the five domains of Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice. 
• On or after September 1, 2024: You must have education and/or experience related to 70% of the competencies in EACH of the five domains of Competencies for Canadian Evaluation Practice AND this must include Competency 1.1 and Competency 1.3.
  
  Draw selectively from your education and/or experience and align this to the competencies in each of five competency domains. You align experience and education to competencies in the five domains through a brief narrative in the application form, with a maximum of 150 words permitted for each competency. 
  
  You do not have to have both education and experience related to each competency. Rather, you should provide evidence that, collectively and in combination, you have the required competency. Note that education can include both formal education and professional development activities.
  
  In addition, your work must meet the Program Evaluation Standards. Developed by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation, these 30 standards constitute one of the core elements of what defines a competent evaluator. 
  
  Finally, you must follow the CES Guidance for Ethical Evaluation Practice. This Guidance is founded on core professional values that underpin the Competencies and Standards. 

Step 2: Submit your application. 

You must pay the CE application fee of $485. If you wish to withdraw your application prior to the CES Credentialing Board review, you will receive a refund minus a $50 administration fee. If the application is under review by the CB, there is no refund.

For those applicants providing additional evidence of qualifications under PLAR, an additional fee will be charged. 

Once your application fee has been processed, the CE Application Administrator will send you a login ID and temporary password for the CE application site. 

You may take up to 36 months to complete your application. However, you are encouraged to complete and submit your application in a shorter timeframe so that, if needed, you have time to revise your application and re-submit it without having to pay an additional fee. If you require longer than 36 months to finalize your application, you will have to pay the application fee again.

Once your application is complete, your file is forwarded to the CES Credentialing Board for review and decision. 

Step 3: Receive your assessment. 

The CES Credentialing Board reviews your applications based on the qualifications above. Each application is reviewed by two members. If the decision of the two members is not the same, a third member will review it.

You will be notified if the application is incomplete or if the Credentialing Board requires additional education or experience. The Board will provide you with guidance if your application that do not meet the qualifications.

Step 4: Get recognized. 

Once you earn the CE designation, display it prominently — growing the value of the CE requires visibility! Add the CE brandmark to your social media, email and web profiles. It demonstrates your commitment to your career and the profession. Through a rigorous process, you have been recognized by evaluation experts as having the education and experience required to be a competent evaluator.

Step 5: Keep your CE designation current.  

You are required to maintain your competencies. You must accumulate and report at least 40 hours of professional learning every three years. This learning should be in areas related to the Competencies for Canadian Evaluators. Several categories of activities are recognized and you are encouraged to partake in a variety.

There is also an annual renewal fee of $50, which is required in addition to your CES membership fee, to maintain your designation.

Please refer to the FAQ section for more information.

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