Software Engineering Institute Carnegie Mellon

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

Certification Exams

General Information

What SEI Certifications are available?
The SEI currently offers the SEI CERT-Certified Computer Security Incident Handler, SEI-Certified Implementing Goal-Driven Measurement Instructor, SEI-Certified PSP Developer, SEI-Certified SCAMPI High Maturity Lead Appraiser, and SEI-Certified TSP Coach certifications. Additional certifications are under development.

What is the difference between an SEI Certificate and an SEI Certification?
The SEI offers both certificate and certification programs. Certificates are awarded after you attend a prearranged series of SEI continuing education courses and serve to recognize your successful completion of an educational process. Certificate programs are a good way to build your skills and generally do not require an examination or follow-up training. The completion of a certificate program designates professionals as having acquired a specific body of knowledge within the software engineering field. To find out more about SEI Certificates, see http://www.sei.cmu.edu/credentials/programs.html.

Certification is earned after you complete the required entry criteria and your knowledge is assessed against a set of industry-relevant standards. Certifications often include ongoing requirements that must be met to keep the certification valid. SEI certifications signify that you have been certified by the SEI to have obtained a specific set of skills and knowledge in a particular area. Certification allows you to build your credentials through objective confirmation of your skills. The SEI currently offers the CERT-Certified Computer Security Incident Handler and SEI Certified PSP Developer credentials as certifications. Additional certifications are under development. To find out more about SEI Certifications, see http://www.sei.cmu.edu/certification.

What benefits do I receive upon being certified by the SEI?
Depending on the particular certification you attain, the SEI offers many tangible benefits to being certified. In addition to your framed certification diploma, you will receive

  • Industry recognition via the SEI certification Web site
  • SEI and SEI-Certified merchandise
  • access to members-only information
  • discounts on SEI conferences and courses
  • technology updates via SEI news, bulletins, and publications.

Are there fees associated with becoming certified?
Yes. The fees associated with becoming certified may vary among the different certifications that we offer. In general, we collect an application fee, exam fee, and fees associated with maintaining your certification or recertification. Please see information regarding the specific SEI Certification in which you are interested.

How do I register for a course?
You can register for courses online through SEI Education and Training. In addition, a select number of SEI courses are also available from SEI Partners. Please visit the SEI Partner Directory to find an SEI Partner near you.

Does the SEI offer training online?
The SEI does not currently offer courses online. All SEI courses are taught in a classroom setting at the SEI offices in Pittsburgh, PA; Arlington, VA; and Frankfurt, Germany or through an SEI Partner location around the globe.

How do the various SEI certifications relate to each other?
The SEI sponsors certifications in specific technology areas that offer each profession a mechanism to promote recognition and standardization throughout the practice. The developing categories of certifications depend on the number of roles supporting a specific technology. Each certification program follows a similar structure based on a common body of knowledge or skill set followed by an assessment mechanism developed and piloted by the SEI in conjunction with the professionals in that field.

How will I be notified of my SEI certification status?
Each candidate will receive scoring and/or performance review results via a letter by standard postal service delivery.

How can I inform others of my certification status?
Each certificant will be recognized via a listing of certified individuals on the SEI web site. These pages are currently under construction.

How do I get a copy of my records to determine what SEI courses I have taken?
To obtain a copy of your SEI training and/or examination records, contact customer relations via email at course-info@sei.cmu.edu, or by phone at 412-268-7622.

If my certification is revoked (terminated) for any reason, can I regain my certification status?
Each situation is unique and coordinated carefully with the individual and the SEI.

What benefits do I lose if I let my certification lapse?
All certification benefits sponsored by the SEI will be discontinued at the same time an individual’s certification lapses. If you allow your certification to lapse, you must start the certification process from the beginning.

How do I update/change my demographic information (e.g. address, phone number, etc.)?
In order to make changes to the demographic information contained by the SEI, send a detailed e-mail to psp-certified-developers@lists.sei.cmu.edu.

Certification Exams

How are exams developed?
SEI certification examination development and validation programs follow industry standard protocols to ensure validity through a blend of processes. These processes utilize subject matter experts to participate in the examination preparation process. More detailed information about an examination development process can be found on the web page associated with a specific certification.

What is a beta exam?
A beta exam is a prototype of an operational exam. These exams provide the SEI with the opportunity to gather data about the difficulty level of the exam questions before they are used operationally. Beta exams provide interested individuals the opportunity to take the certification exam at a discounted fee, and provide the SEI with valuable exam data.

For example, the SEI-Certified PSP Developer beta exam consisted of 80 multiple-choice questions. These questions examine a candidate’s mastery of the concepts and skills that comprise the seven competency areas identified in the Personal Software Process (PSP) Body of Knowledge, Version 1.0. All of the questions on the exam are drawn from a bank of questions developed by the SEI with the assistance of a diverse group of PSP subject matter experts. As part of the validation process, the question bank must then undergo a structured analysis before its public release. The public release process contains many steps, one of which is the beta examination.

The beta exam provides the SEI with an opportunity to collect data regarding the difficulty of these questions. The post-exam analysis of resulting examination data is completed approximately eight weeks after the exam administration. Once the exams have been analyzed, certification candidates are notified by mail as to whether or not they have passed the exam.

How can I find out about upcoming certification exams?
For information about the SEI Certification Program and updates, watch the Certification home page for news and announcements for upcoming certification-related events.

Are there any restrictions on who can take SEI exams?
There may be restrictions regarding required prerequisites for specific certification exams. These are listed with the relevant certification programs.

Can I get college credit for passing an SEI Certification exam?
No, Continuing Education Units (CEU), or any other types of formal educational credit, are not issued for passing an SEI Certification exam.

How often are exams updated?
Examinations are updated based on several factors:

  • feedback from examinees on content and material covered
  • revisions to the standard Body of Knowledge (BOK) or performance skill set
  • release of new research and/or training material that would substantially cause change for a given examination
  • question analysis data and performance sampling.

Look for information regarding exam updates on the SEI Certification web site.

Are there sample questions available to help me prepare for the exam?
Not every program will have study questions available for review. Please see information regarding the specific SEI Certification in which you are interested for more information.

How do I register for an exam?
Each specific certification will have specific information posted on its web page detailing how an individual is to complete the application process.

Where can I take an SEI Certification exam?
The CERT Computer Security Incident Handler Exam can only be taken at SEI office locations. PSP Developer certification exams are available at examination centers located throughout the world.

How do I find a PSP Developer examination location near me?
View the PSP Developer Exam Location Listings .

How many chances do I have to take the exam?
Each certification has tailored entry and maintenance criteria specific to that profession. Review the specific certification web pages for more information.

Are there discounts on exams?
Programs will list associated discounts when available. Check the specific associated certification web page for more information.

If I have a disability, can accommodations be made for me so I can take my exam?
Please contact the SEI Certification Program office at psp-certified-developers@lists.sei.cmu.edu to coordinate any special accommodations that may need to be arranged for you to sit for a certification exam.

What languages are the exams available in?
At the present time, examinations are offered in the English language.

Can I review my exam answers?
The SEI provides pass/fail information to candidates. Examination information is confidential and not available for review. Where can I find additional information about the areas in which I need to develop my skills?

Please see information regarding the specific SEI Certification in which you are interested for more information regarding study guidance.

What happens if I fail the exam?
A candidate has the opportunity to re-take the examination within a period of time after the first attempt. However, check the associated certification web pages for more detailed information.

If I fail my exam, do I have to pay to retake it?
Check the associated certification web pages for more detailed information.

What are the consequences to violating examination center rules?
Any candidates who are found to have violated examination center rules at the time of the exam will stop their exam immediately and be escorted from the facility. All information from the event will be sent to the SEI Certification Program office for processing. Penalties will be assessed after a thorough investigation is conducted.

How quickly can I expect to receive my certification diploma?
Congratulations packets are mailed out within 3-4 weeks of the date of the certification exam. However, each certification assessment grading program is different and time for evaluation varies as well.

How secure is my personal information and exam results?
All information gathered on an individual is stored in accordance with the privacy policies of the Software Engineering Institute and Carnegie Mellon University.

Can I anonymously report a breach in exam security?
All reports of this nature can be made to the SEI Certification Program Office, 4500 5th Avenue, Suite 2320B, Pittsburgh, PA, 15213.