Requirements for maintaining certification:

  • Maintain your credential by paying the certification fee due every two years.
  • Submit the number of CE hours required for your certification that have been obtained within the last 2 years.
  • Abide by the IBCCES Standards and Code of Ethics.

Renewal Steps:

  1. Click Renew Now.
  2. Type in your information as it is listed on your official credential card. The date issued should be written as YYYY-MM-DD.
  3. Process renewal fee
  4. Update your application. Check for any missing information or changes.
    *Note: Due to increased identity verification procedures you must upload a picture and include your birthdate before saving under the identification heading.
  5. Review the standards for your certification as these are occasionally updated.
  6. Upload your CE certificates from the past 2 years.

Certification Renewal Policies

Certified Autism Specialists and Autism Certificants are expected to remain current in the field of autism and abide by the IBCCES standards and code of ethics.  All credential holders must obtain an additional 14 CE hours in the program competencies every two years. For example, for the CAS and AC, the CE hours must fall within one or more of the areas of autism competency defined by IBCCES. Other certificants must follow the same standards and earn CE hours that fall within the areas of competency defined for their certification.

Renewals are valid from the date of expiration plus two years, not the date of renewal. Therefore, applicants are advised to renew early and avoid late fees.

It is the responsibility of every certificant to maintain his or her credential and comply with all requirements, regardless of whether he or she receives direct reminders to do so. IBCCES does make a reasonable effort to contact certificants prior to their renewal date. However, no deadlines or fees will be waived based upon a failure to receive reminders or a failure on the certificant’s part to keep track of the credential expiration date.

You are advised to keep IBCCES informed of any changes in your contact information including email address. Applicants with an expired credential are not permitted to use the CAS or AC designation or logo in any manner in which to identify themselves per the IBCCES standards.

Credentials are valid for two years. Applicants are expected to renew prior to the expiration date of their credential.  Failure to renew by the expiration date will result in loss of the credential, full price for recertification, and retaking the Autism Competency exam.

* Note:  Dates and time are based on the Eastern Standard Time Zone in the United States. Late applications and fees are based on the EST zone, regardless of your location.  It is highly recommended that you begin the renewal process a month prior to expiration of your credential.

Renewal Fees

CredentialRenewal FeeFull Price for Late Renewal
CAS – Certified Autism Specialist$199$495
ACAS – Advanced Certified Autism Specialist$299$669
AC – Autism Certificate$149$295
AAC – Advanced Autism Certificate$249$469

Ready to Get Started?

Make sure to renew before your credential expires to save on certification fees. Click below to apply for renewal.

Renew Now

CE Hours – Acceptable Continuing Education

All CE hours must fall within the CE guidelines established by IBCCES. 14 CE hours must be obtained every two years. One CE hour is defined as one clock hour (60 minutes) as a direct learner. CE hours must be within the last two years (24 month period).

CE TypeDocumentation
College or University courseworkOfficial transcript with course name and syllabus showing content within the areas of autism competency
CE hours issued by an approved continuing education providerCertificate or official letter from provider. Must state your name, title, date, presenter, and hours earned.
Presenter or Instruction of college or university course or an Approved conferenceLetter from the department chair or conference provider. Documentation should include your name, title, date, and summary of content.
District or center provided trainingCertificate with name, title, date, presenter, and number of hours obtained. Content must fall within the areas of autism competency and be approved by IBCCES.

If you have questions regarding your renewal or approved CE hours, please contact IBCCES at 877-717-6543 or info@ibcces.org.

Activities not accepted for CE hours: Attending meetings; Serving on a committee or board; Volunteer activities; Routine work experience when it is a part of your job responsibility; Work experience; Unsupervised or self-study; Publications or authoring a scholarly piece; Supervision activities; Research activities; Curriculum development