How to Apply: CETL Certification Exam

As exam administrations are identified, the online application will be made available. Please watch your emails and this site for updates.

Our next exam administrations are scheduled for June 20, 2012 in Austin, TX and June 24, 2012 in San Diego, CA. Please click here to apply.

There are two parts to the CETL exam:

Part I is a multiple-choice exam administered through Internet-Based Testing (IBT).
Part II is an essay-based exam in which applicants must explain how they have used the Framework in their day-to-day job.

Only those who pass Part I are eligible to take Part II. Those who pass both parts of the exam earn the CETL designation.

To sit for the CETL exam, you must meet the eligibility requirements.

To submit an application, please follow these instructions:

Create Account—All CETL exam applicants must be logged into the CoSN site in order to access the CETL exam registration page. If you know the username and password associated with your name, select Login above to sign into your account. If you are not already registered with CoSN, you must create a user profile. To create your profile, go to our activation page and enter your email address into the form field on the right side of the page. Follow subsequent instructions to create your new individual account.

Cost—Payment for the exam is required before you sit for the exam.

CoSN Member:
$400 ($150 nonrefundable)

Retake fee: $200 per exam part, per retake

Non-CoSN Member:

$700 ($260 nonrefundable)
Retake fee: $200 per exam part, per retake

Refund Policy

If you notify CoSN at least 24 hours before the exam is administered to cancel your exam, all but the nonrefundable fee will be returned.

If you do not appear at the testing site on the day the test is scheduled to be administered and you have not notified CoSN at least 24 hours before the start of the exam, all fees will be forfeited.

Complete the exam application—Once logged in, you may begin filling out the online CETL exam application. You will be prompted to enter personal and professional data and agree to the Code of Conduct and Terms of Confidentiality Agreement.

Exam application reviewed and notification sent—Once your application and payment information has been submitted, the application will be reviewed and you will be then be notified. Those approved to sit for the CETL exam will be sent an Authorization to Test letter, which will include details about appearing for your exam.

Prepare for the exam—Although there is no one way to prepare for the CETL exam, we have developed an Exam Preparation Materials page that describes various tools that will get you started on your studying regimen.

On exam day—Make sure you bring your Authorization to Test letter, which includes the eligibility number you'll need to log in to the test. We have also created test taking tips for you.

After the exam—Those who pass both Part I and Part II of the certification exam may use their designation as long as their certification remains current. To remain current, those who have become certified must:

Recertify every 3 years by submitting evidence that you are remaining current in the CTO field by completing 60 hours of continuing education activities. All of your recertification activities must be tied to one or more of the ten skill areas identified in the Framework. See the Certification Handbook for samples of activities that are eligible for recertification credit.

Abide by the CoSN CETL Code of Conduct and Terms of Confidentiality.