Frequently Asked Questions: Accredited Airport Executive Program

NOTE: This FAQ answers questions directly related to the Accredited Airport Executive program. Other, related, FAQ lists include the Written Exam FAQ, the Management Paper FAQ, and the Final Interview FAQ.

Who qualifies for the Accredited Airport Executive Program?

How much does the program cost?

When will I be notified about the results of my application?

I am already a Certified Member (C.M.) Do I need to take another exam?

Are there any time limits after I register for the program?

Does AAAE offer any seminars or workshops that will help me complete the requirement to write a management research paper?

Does AAAE offer any other services that will help me complete the accreditation process?

Will I receive a C.M. certificate after I pass the written exam?

Is the A.A.E. designation permanent?

What is the background of AAAE's Accreditation program manager, who reviews the management research paper?

I have a question that's not answered here.

Q: Who qualifies for the Accredited Airport Executive Program?

A: A prospective Executive Candidate must

be at least 21 years old;
be an affiliate member of AAAE;
have at least one full year of full-time civil airport management experience when applying;
have either a four-year college degree or eight years of civil airport management* experience. Executive candidates may substitute civil airport management experience on a two-years-for-one basis, i.e., with a total of eight years of experience substituting for a four-year college degree.

*AAAE's definition for airport management is broad and inclusive. Anyone who has active responsibility for the management or administration of a public airport is eligible to apply for an Affiliate membership in AAAE. Aside from airport managers and directors of operations, an assistant to an airport manager is also eligible; so is anyone who works in another capacity but whose responsibilities are related to the day-to-day operations of an airport (excluding employees of concessions, vendors, consulting firms, and construction companies--those who are not on the payroll of a public airport).

Q: How much does the program cost?

A: Anyone wishing to join the accreditation program must be an active member and pay a one-time fee of $250.00. Please note that this is a registration fee for enrolling in the accreditation program, not to be confused with the AAAE membership dues. This fee includes registration, all study materials, and the examination fee (candidates who need to retake the exam will be assessed an additional $75.00 for each attempt). Applicants who are already Certified Members or who are candidates in the certification program pay an upgrade fee of $50 to enroll in the accreditation program, provided that they meet the eligibility requirements.

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Q: When will I be notified about the results of my application?

A: If your application is approved, you will receive a letter and study materials in three to five weeks. If for some reason your application cannot be accepted, we will notify you of the reasons either by phone or by mail.

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Q: I am already a Certified Member (C.M.) Do I need to take another exam?

A: No. Provided that you meet all criteria for joining the accreditation program, you may transfer successful completion of your AAAE written examination. The written examinations are identical in both programs.

Once the enrollment fee is paid, you need to complete only your management research paper and your board interview to receive your A.A.E. designation.

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Q: Are there any time limits after I register for the program?

A: No, there are no time limits, although there is an administrative fee of $100 if after five years you remain inactive in the program. The $100 fee will be applied for every year thereafter until you complete the accreditation process.

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Q: Does AAAE offer any seminars or workshops that will help me complete the requirement to write a management research paper?

A: AAAE offers two management research paper workshops a year: one in April and one in September. These five-day workshops are held at the AAAE headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The cost for attending the workshop is $500 plus expenses for travel, lodging, food, and incidentals. The Sheraton Suites is right across the street from the AAAE headquarters, and there is a Holiday Inn and Suties just a block away. To attend this workshop, interested AAAE members must meet these prerequisites: (1) be candidates enrolled in AAAE's accreditation program (2) have had the topics and outlines of their papers approved by the accreditation department, (3) have done or located all necessary research for their topics, (4) have registered and paid the tuition for the workshop, and (5) have acquired a laptop computer to bring to the workshop. In addition, one of the sessions at the National Airport Conference (in September)offers a short but comprehensive review of the basics in management research paper writing. For further details, please contact the accreditation department at </>accreditation@airportnet.org

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Q: Does AAAE offer any other services that will help me complete the accreditation process?

A: Besides the accreditation paper workshop and accreditation seminars, the SCC-AAAE Accreditation Academy offers a week-long review to prepare candidates for the written exam. This review course is offered twice a year (in March and November) in Irving, TX. For details about this review course, please contact the accreditation department at </>accreditation@airportnet.org

Q: Will I receive a C.M. certificate after I passed the written exam?

A: No, as an executive candidate, you will not receive a C.M. certificate after you pass the written exam, because passing the written exam is completing only one phase of the accreditation process. And, when you successfully complete the process, you will receive an elegant custom-made plaque in addition to other accolades. If you prefer to use the C.M. designation before completing the accreditation process, however, you may do so by making a special request to the accreditation department. Upon your payment of $35, the department will send you a C.M. certificate and a lapel pin, officially recognizing you as a C.M.