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CEAR Process - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Regarding the Continuing EA Recertification Process, many CEA Fellows have submitted excellent questions about the new policies. These will be amended as questions are received so please let us know what isn't clear about CEAR. The questions are grouped into a set of FAQs, as follows:

1. What is the “invitation code”?
Answer: CEAR

2. What are the approved EA events, activities, projects, classes, training or conferences that can be used towards (qualify as applicable to meeting) the yearly requirement, to achieve and report, 20 EADUs?
Answer: Almost any EA related activities, events, training, courses, conferences, lectures, webinars, seminars or symposiums qualify for EADUs, with the ratio being 1 hour attended for 1 EADU. If you are not sure, please e-mail us and confirm the event prior to attending or reporting. (Scroll down to get more detail).

3. I was certified in ______ (year 2001 - 2007, 2008…). how do the recertification requirements affect my (insert year) Certification?
Answer: Anyone graduating from 2001 througn 2008, all FEAC CEAs not yet recertified, have a grace period until January 31, 2011 to recertify without any deliquency or further requirements. Only 20 EADUs for three years, pror to now, need be reported, however, they cannot have been earned before January 1, 2007. Three Examples: I graduated in January 2006 and have never renewed, what do I need to do? January 2007 + three full years = January 2010, however you are in the grece pareiod so you must pay and report EADUs by January 31, 2011. After that your credentials are lapsed. B. I garduated in June 2009, when do I have to recertify? June 2009 + three full years= June 2011, go to next January 2012. You must recertify before January 2012. C. I didn't graduate with my class, FEAF Spring 2008, but did so six months later in December 2008. Whan am I due to recertify? December 2008 + three full years = December 2011, so the next January 1, 2012 your dues and 60 EADUs are due. After January 31, 2012 your credetial is lapsed if not paid and reported. Hopefully this explains the timing of when refreshments are due.

4. How many EADUs are enough?
Answer: Only enter 20 EADUs per year, covering any three year recertification period, unless you want to carry over ten from the last year in any period. For initial recertification, see No. 3 above and the CEAR Program Policy. Up to 10 EADUs can carryover to count for the following refreshment period. Example: I am due to recertify as of January 1, 2011, what EADUs are required? 20 EADUs for each of the previous three years, 2008-9,2009-10, and 2010-11 or a total of 60. If you are recertifying initially under the current grace period any EADUs from January 1,2007 to present are applicable and reportable. Do they have to be exactly 20 per year? In the grace period, no, afterwards, next refreshment period, yes, 20 EADUs each year. Report them as earned and plan them ahead of time so you aren't caught without the required amout at refreshment time.

5. If I have never recertified are my credentials lapsed or dormant?
Answer: All previously FEAC Certified Enterprise Architects have a grace period until January 31, 2011 to recertify the first time without additional requirements for lapsed of dormant credentials. It is very important to recertify before the end of the grace period, because after that credentials may be deemed lapsed or dormant according to the CEAR Process rules. Recertify NOW before additional requirements apply.

6. Why do we have to pay $99.00 every three years to renew the CEA Fellows Membership and recertify?
Answer: Many professional organizations which certify or accredit professionals charge a fee. We have surveyed these and find that our fee of $99.00 (for 3 years) is very reasonably in the lower end of all such memberships and fees. Administration of the program costs money, as do related events and activities sponsored for CEA Fellows, like the annual FEAC CEA Symposium. CEA Fellows all receive a discount on the cost of attending the symposium and other events. Additionally future short course and classes and webinars will be planned to help with the earning of EADUs. Also, FEAC is funding a not-for-profit organization that will promote the discipline of EA which will, in part, be supplemented from these fees and CEAs Fellows are automatic members of this organization.

7. If I do not recertify (file EADUs) every year what happens to my credentials?
Answer: After one refreshment period (three years), your CEA Fellow Membership and CEA credentials are lapsed. You must follow the lapsed credentials policy to recertify. After two refreshment periods (six years) your status is dormant and in order to recertify you must attend a Special Recertification/Update Class to renew your credentials and CEA Fellows Membership. During this period any queries to FEAC regarding the status of your certification will be reported as either CEA Credentials lapsed or dormant, as applicable.

8. What is the CEA Fellows Honor System?
Answer: All CEA Fellows are ethically bound to an honor system in reporting activities, events and training qualifying for achievement of the 20 EADUs per year (60 in a refreshment period). This means that not only are these reported events or activities applicable but that only those credited hours which were attended or participated in are counted and reported. While FEAC is very flexible on qualifying activities, EADUs will be randomly audited and CEAs may be asked for proof of registration or attendance, as reported, so please keep records of such in a file.

9. If I already recertified (filed EADUs and paid) between January 2009 and now, do I have to recertify this January, again?
Answer: No. All recertifications done before January 1, 2011, according to the previous policy, are good for three years (up to January 2012 or 2013) after which, they will be subject to refreshment, three years after initial refreshment and every three years thereafter.

10. How do I get help if I want to recertify but haven't got the initial 60 EADUs?
Answer: Send an email to cearecert@feacinstitute.org with an explanation and you will receive advice on how to proceed.