The American Association of Sexuality Educators (AASHE) is not accepting applications for certification through the American Association of Sexuality and Relationships (AWR). The AWR is a professional association that accepts and reviews applications from sexual health professionals wishing to become certified. Application fees apply to the senior professional exam fee only. For the purposes of this article, we will consider those applying to the CESS or Clinical Sexual Education Admission Test.
The American Association of Sexuality Educators (AASHE) does not accept application fees for its Professional Development program, which is why they do not have a Senior Professional Exam fee. The Professional Development program is geared towards professionals already in the field who wish to enhance their knowledge and prepare themselves for career advancement within the sexual health field. Its Professional Discourses on Sexual Health and Life Education curriculum cost is $ 395. Professional Development includes two CD-ROMs; a one-term electronic course, and a six-month course for an additional fee.
In order to be eligible for Professional Development (PDSE), an applicant must demonstrate professional development skills, including at least six years of relevant experience in sexual health, counseling, and education. To apply, you must complete the Application for Professional Development (PDSE) form, which can be downloaded from AASHE’s website. Once completed, you will receive a PDSE Certification card. You must then complete at least twelve months of supervised continuing education in order to receive your certificate.
An additional requirement for Certification is completion of at least twenty hours of continuing education in any of the following areas: sexual health/relationships, human sexuality, psychology, sociology, or social work. For applicants who reside outside of the United States, the institute may choose an alternative program such as Interdisciplinary Certificate Program (ICP), which is a one or two-year certificate program, or a Master Certificate in Sexuality Education (MCS). Both programs are managed by the International Society for Sexual Medicine (ISSM). An ISSM associate may also choose to enroll in an ICP graduate diploma as well.
There are three levels of Certification available from the American Association of Sexuality Educators. The Level I certification is the lowest level and usually requires that the candidate have at least a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Candidates wishing to achieve this certification must complete a minimum of sixty credits. Candidates can improve their credentials by successfully passing the board exam fee, which is administered at the annual meeting. The American Association of Sexuality Educators also offers a Master Certificate in Sexual Education (MCS) to its candidates who have successfully earned at least sixty credits.
Candidates who successfully complete all three levels of American Association of Sexuality Educators certification, and pass the board exam fee, will be issued a Professional Recognition credential. These credentials are important for professionals working in the field, and the cost of these certifications are almost always offset by the cost of the exam fee. In addition to the American Association of Sexuality Educators certification exams, candidates may also be required to pay a retainer fee in order to apply for these certifications. The retainer fee can be paid in either a fixed sum or in monthly installments.
Other than the American Association of Sexuality Educators certification program fee, there are no other fees associated with the American Association of Sexuality Educators certification program. Candidates who choose not to pursue the certification are not required to pay the exam fee. However, the candidate is required to pay for the Professional Recognition credential, which is good for two years, or it may be renewed after that period. Renewing the Professional Recognition credential is not expensive, but the process takes longer. Applying for and obtaining a Professional Recognition credential is not limited to sexual health educators, but can also apply to project managers, consultants, and training instructors, in addition to sexual health educators.
