Prerequisite for application:

• Minimum of five (5) years of experience at the top two levels of management at a public assembly facility or an industry-related supplier of a product or service.
• Minimum of 270 points representing education, industry experience, continuing education, teaching/program leadership, publications or written works and professional/community activities.
• A letter of confirmation from the candidate’s executive to who they report confirming the applicant’s position in the top two levels of the organizations structure as:
  • Principal executive responsible for the day-to-day operation of venue(s)
  • Second-level management executive who directly reports to the principal executive responsible for the day-to-day operation of venue who themselves are responsible for day-to-day operations
  • The letter should detail the writer’s role and position relative to that of applicant.
• Letter of exception: IAVM Headquarters will consider granting an exception to the top two levels of management based on the responsibilities of each level.  Candidates’ should request their principle office submit a letter explaining the organizations management structure and include the organizational chart to IAVM Headquarters for review to certification@iavm.org.
• Membership in International Association of Venue Managers (IAVM) is not required to apply for Certified Venue Executive (CVE) certification.

Application Fee:

• $200 (US Currency) for IAVM members.
• $275 for non-member of IAVM.
• Payment via credit card or check.

Applications Must Include:

• Complete the online application form to include education, experience, program participation, publications, and professional, and community activities. Point values are assigned to each area, which can be accumulated over any span of time, are awarded for each of these activities.
• Applicants are required to provide letter of confirmation confirming they have 5 years experience at the top two levels of management at a public assembly facility or an industry-related supplier of a product or service or have received an exception.
• The have the minimum amount of points required for an application of 275.
• The CVE Application form can be found here.

Application Administration:

• Applications are submitted to and verified by IAVM Headquarters. When verified, candidates move to Step Two of the testing process.  Candidates will be notified by IAVM staff of the status of their application and then invited to move to Step Two.
• There is no deadline for the submission of applications.

What the Written Exam- Multiple Choice questions will cover:

• A 250 question exam will encompass the full range of skills, knowledge and attributes as found in the core competencies and management concepts of public assembly venues, which will include arenas, amphitheaters/fairs, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts venues as examples.
• A list of suggested study materials for the CVE Written Exam – Multiple Choice question will be provided to applicants who complete Step One.
• Candidates working and/or living in the U.S. will receive exams with questions relating to U.S. law.
• Candidates from outside the U.S. will not be expected to know U.S. laws, but may be tested on knowledge of comparable regulations from their regulatory authorities.

Exam Fee:

• $450 (US Currency) for IAVM members.
• $600 for non-member of IAVM.
• Exam fee is due once the exam date is confirmed and must be paid no less than fourteen (14) days in advance of the scheduled exam date.
• Payment via credit card or check.

Exam Administration:

• Exams are administered/proctored during IAVM conferences/meetings (i.e., Academy of Venue Safety and Security, Guest X, Venue Connect, Region Meetings, Senior Executive Symposium, Graduate Institute, Venue Management School).
• Exams may be proctored by another CVE, or an Human Resources professional from your organization.
• Candidates will be informed of their exam results within two (2) weeks of their examination date.
• A list of suggested study materials for the CVE Written Exam – Multiple Choice question will be provided to applicants who complete Step One.

Candidates who fail the Written Exam – Multiple Choice

• Candidates who fail the Written Exam -Multiple Choice may retake the exam during the next calendar year by submitting a written request to IAVM Headquarters. Candidates who fail the Written Exam – Multiple Choice step three (3) times will be required to submit a new application form, fees, and meet all eligibility requirements in effect at the time of the application.
• Any retake of the exam must be completed within three (3) years of the original exam date.

Candidates who pass the Written Exam – Multiple Choice Questions will be invited to move to Step Three: Written Exam – Essay Questions.

What the Written Exam – Essay Questions will cover:

The Written Exam – Essay questions will allow the candidate to share an element of each core competencies and will require written answers using proper grammar and sentence structure.

Exam Administration:

• Detailed instructions concerning the essay structure and content will be provided after passing Step Two -Written Exam.
• Written essays must be submitted by March 1^st, in order for the candidate to sit for the Oral Exam at VenueConnect in the same calendar year (if they pass the Written Essay).
• Written Exam Essays Questions exams will be rated on a pass or fail basis.
• Candidates will be required to declare that they are the author of their written essay and it is their original thinking and work.
• Candidates who are successful in the Written Exam – Essay questions will be informed of their status within four (4) weeks of submission of the essay.

Candidates who fail the Written Exam – Essay Questions

• A candidate whose Written Exam – Essay Questions fail to pass will receive suggestion to improve answers and be allowed to rewrite and resubmitted exam.
• Re-submitted essays will be reviewed by the Certification Board and rated on a pass or fail basis.

Candidates who are successful in the first three steps will be invited to sit for the Oral Examination.

What the Oral Examination will cover:

The Oral Exam Panel will evaluate the candidate’s knowledge of a series of the core industry topics that probe the following topics:

• Professional experience.
• Professional contributions.
• Core competencies of venue management.
• Management concepts of public assembly venues which includes arenas, amphitheaters/fairs, stadiums, convention centers, and performing arts venues as examples.
• The candidate’s ability to communicate their knowledge.

Exam Administration:

• Oral Exams are conducted at:
  • VenueConnect, IAVM’s Annual Conference & Trade Show;
  • In Dallas, subject to Certification Board availability during October Board meeting;
  • Senior Executive Symposium, subject to Certification Board availability;
  • VMA annual conference in May, subject to Certification Board availability;
  • Via video conferencing if candidate is unable to attend any of the above options.
• Questions will be provided to candidates during the Oral Exam.
• Oral Exams are typically conducted by a panel of three (3) past or present Certification Board members.

Candidates who fail the Written Exam – Oral Questions

• Candidates who fail the Oral Exam will be allowed to reattempt this step the next time Oral Exams are conducted.
• Candidates who fail the Oral Exam two (2) times will not be permitted to reattempt any sooner than 12 months from the date of the second failed attempt.
• Candidates who fail the Oral Exam three (3) times will be required to resubmit a new application, fees, and meet all of the eligibility requirements in effect at the time of the application.
• Oral exams must be completed within five (5) years from the beginning of the certification process.