How to become a graduate

Follow these steps and suggested guidelines for certification and graduation requirements for any of the following:

• Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA)

Step 1:

Review the Certification Requirements for Graduation

• View the Core Graduation Courses (1-12) listing.
• View the Calendar of scheduled courses, dates and locations.
• Course Requirements:
  • Complete a total of 12 core graduation courses. Each course is 10.5 hours of instruction. Program must be completed within 12 years.

Note: Courses do not have to be taken in sequence. To expedite CERA certification, we encourage enrolling in the courses whenever they are offered.

• Experience Requirements:
  • Serve as a full time election/voter registration official OR have a full time job where election/voter registration is a portion of your job duties; AND
  • Administer one jurisdiction-wide election
• Conference/Workshop Requirements (2 events):
  • Attend 2 Election Center conferences or workshops; OR
  • Attend 1 Election Center event PLUS attend 1 event from another association (minimum of 5 hours of election or voter registration subject matter).
  • Save all course/conference/workshop documentation including receipts, when attending events from organizations other than the Election Center. Documentation is required when applying for graduation. Documentation of attendance to Election Center conference/workshops is NOT required when applying for graduation.
  • These must occur between the admission date and graduation date.

Step 2:

Submit an Application for Graduation

• To apply, please log in to your member portal, click the “Certification” icon on your dashboard, then click on “Application” on the next page. When you are eligible for graduation and have met all requirements, a teal-blue application box will appear.
• Deadline for submitting an Application for Graduation is annually on June 1.
• Include $175 application fee
• Submit your application for graduation from your profile.
• If further information is needed, you will be contacted for clarification or to submit additional information. Election Center will notify you regarding approval or denial of your application.
• Graduation will be held at the national conference. Commencement will offer graduates a time to celebrate their accomplishments with their peers, receive their graduation certificate, and hear from speakers from the year’s cohort. Graduation awards will be sent to graduates following the conference.
• Have questions? Go to FAQ – CERA Graduation.

Step 3:

Submit an application to Renew Your CERA Status

• To apply for renewal, the application can be found in your member portal. Once you log in, click on the “Certification” icon on your dashboard, then click on “Application” on the next page. When you are eligible for renewal and have met all requirements, a teal-blue application box will appear.
• Submit application for renewal when requirements are met
• Renewal status is required every three years.
  Example: If your graduation/renewal date is 8/10/19, you should renew your status by submitting an Application for Renewal by 12/31/22.
• Course Requirements:
  Complete one CERA renewal course during your three-year renewal period
• Conference/Workshop Requirements (2 events):
  • Attend 2 Election Center conferences or workshops; OR
  • Attend 1 Election Center event PLUS attend 1 event from another association (minimum of 5 hours of election or voter registration subject matter).
  • Save all course/conference/workshop documentation including receipts, when attending events from organizations other than the Election Center. Documentation is required when applying for graduation. Documentation of attendance to Election Center conference/workshops is NOT required when applying for graduation.