Frequently Asked Questions

EP’s Professional Energy Manager® (PEM) certification is recognized worldwide and is designed to equip you with practical tools to help you and your employer achieve your energy and sustainability goals. The PEM can be obtained in a variety of ways that fit your needs, learning style, and budget. It can also be coupled with an Energy Management Diploma from North Carolina State University – a top-25 graduate engineering program in the United States.

First, you will need to complete classes through one of IEP’s offerings. After that, you will be eligible for PEM examination. Upon passing your PEM examination, you will have obtained your PEM certification!

You’ve got a couple options regarding how to get your PEM certification:

The most comprehensive route is through our partnership with NC State University. At the conclusion of the three-week Energy Management Diploma (EMD) program, you’ll be eligible to sit for your PEM certification exam. The EMD program is available both live, in-person and also live, online (no on-demand or recorded version). You can read more about the program at go.ncsu.edu/emdp, as well as sign up for an information session.

The second option is through our partnership with Schneider Electric and their online university. This program is completely on-demand, so you can go through at your own pace. After completing the required modules, you’ll be eligible to sit for your PEM certification exam. You can read more about the program at https://university.se.com/. Note that to see anything you’ll have to create a login, but they are very good about not spamming you (unless you leave the checkbox clicked).

The question, then, is what is the best for you? Cost is a factor – the SE route is significantly cheaper as it’s subsidized by SE and is all recorded verses live instructor. Learning style is also important, depending on which way you learn best (in-person vs online/live vs recorded). Level of information or depth is also a factor. The NCSU course has substantially more content for how to create a successful energy management program that is sustainable and impactful. There is also a deeper dive into the various technologies compared to SE (ex: SE might have four, 30-minute modules on chilled water. NCSU has 8+ hours). We also have tours of various facilities on campus as part of the NCSU program.

Going through the NCSU course will get you the opportunity to obtain both the PEM and Diploma with one test. Our partnership with SE also provides the opportunity to get the PEM (but not the Diploma). The PEM is the certification which has the usual continuing education requirements, renewal, etc. The Diploma is exactly that: like what you got from high school or college. Its not a “Bachelor of Science” or a 4-year degree diploma, but it is a step up from NCSU’s certificate programs.

Upon completion of the three-week program, you will qualify to take a comprehensive course examination developed by the Institute of Energy Professionals. By successfully completing the exam, you will earn the Professional Energy Manager (PEM) certification, in addition to receiving your program diploma from the university.

Three times a year. Spring, Summer and Fall. There are other options to obtain the PEM designation outside of the In-Person classes offered by NC State.

Courses range in length from half-day to five days depending on the program. EM1, EM2, and EM3 are week long classes offered each Spring, Summer and Fall. Each class is 32 instructional hours.

No.

Information about how to renew your certification can be found here

50 points over the past 3 years are required to renew; 30 of which can be obtained through active work experience in the energy field.

The other 20 can be obtained a variety of ways. Please visit the renewal form to see examples. Click here.

The cost to renew is $150. However, if you are past due and beyond the grace period, the late fee and renewal fee total cost is $250. Please let us know if you intend to renew, but will not meet the renewal deadline. 

• Papers, articles, and/or books published. Ten (10) points per item, first time only.
• Papers, workshops, and/or seminars presented. Three (3) points per hour of presentation length for first time presenting, and one (1) point per hour for subsequent presentations, up to a maximum of six (6) points per hour.
• College/university courses completed. Forty-five (45) points per credit hour for semester schedule, thirty (30) points per credit hour for quarter schedule.
• Workshops, seminars, and/or other related training programs attended. Ten (10) points per continuing education unit (CEU) or equivalent. One (1) point per contact hour or professional development hour (PDH).
• Active participant in a professional society/organization. Two (2) points per professional society/organization. Maximum four (4) points total.
• Other energy-related activities. See instructions and/or contact IEP for specific point allocations.

Fill out the renewal form, found here, and send to renewal@theiep.org. Please let us know if you intend to renew but will not meet the renewal deadline.

No. The continuing education must be within the past 3 years since your last renewal period. 

Please reach out to us at renewal@theiep.org to discuss your circumstances.

Please contact us at renewal@theiep.org to discuss your circumstances.

Yes, we have a PEM Emeritus designation. Every 3 years, your fee will be $25 to keep the PEM Emeritus designation. Reach out to us to obtain your PEM Emeritus designation.