Earn Your Certified Emcee Professional™ (CEP™) Designation
A great emcee does more than introduce speakers and keep an event on schedule.
Professional emcees shape the audience experience, manage energy in the room, navigate the unexpected, connect every part of the program, and help create an event that feels intentional from beginning to end.
The Certified Emcee Professional™ (CEP™) designation from the National Speakers Association recognizes professional excellence in event hosting, facilitation, and audience engagement.
2027 CEP applications open November 1, 2026.
What Is the Certified Emcee Professional Designation?
A professional emcee plays a critical role in the success of an event.
Beyond introducing speakers and managing the schedule, an experienced emcee helps create audience connection, sustain energy, navigate challenges in real time, maintain program continuity, and shape the culture of the event.
The Certified Emcee Professional designation recognizes professionals who demonstrate excellence in these areas while helping establish emceeing as a distinct professional discipline within the meetings and events industry.
The CEP is designed to:
- Recognize professional excellence in event leadership, audience engagement, and facilitation
- Establish standards that support continued professional development
- Increase the credibility and visibility of professional emcees within the meetings and events industry
- Promote ethical standards, professionalism, and accountability
- Strengthen a professional community committed to advancing the emceeing profession
Who Should Apply?
The Certified Emcee Professional (CEP) designation is designed for experienced professionals whose work demonstrates sustained, skilled leadership of event flow, audience engagement, and program continuity.
Qualifying professional roles may include:
Emcee • Host • Facilitator • Moderator • Entertainer as Emcee
Two Pathways to Earn Your CEP
There are two ways to qualify for the Certified Emcee Professional designation. Both pathways lead to the same CEP designation, require the same application materials, and are evaluated using the same Five E’s framework. There is no hierarchy between them.
Pathway 1: Volume & Consistency
Designed for professionals with a sustained history of emcee engagements.
- 50+ qualifying professional engagements within the past five years
- $50,000+ in annual emceeing/hosting income in at least three of the past five years
Pathway 2: Market Excellence
Designed for professionals with a strong record in the premium emcee market.
- 30+ qualifying professional engagements within the past five years
- $80,000+ in annual emceeing/hosting income in at least three of the past five years
Requirements for All Applicants
Regardless of pathway, applicants must also have:
- At least five years of professional experience in event hosting, facilitation, or program leadership
- Qualifying engagements with audiences of 50 or more attendees
- Participation in NSA programming or equivalent professional development
- Attendance at at least one NSA or Global Speakers Federation-equivalent event within the past 10 years
- No ethics violations within the past 10 years and maintenance of professional standing
Applicants should review the 2027 Applicant Handbook for complete requirements before preparing an application.
The Five E's of a CEP
CEP applicants are evaluated according to five core areas of professional excellence.
Eloquence
Communication mastery, clarity of message, and stage presence.
Enterprise
Business acumen, professional sustainability, and client relationship management.
Ethics
Integrity, inclusion, professionalism, and accountability.
Expertise
Event management, preparation, collaboration with event stakeholders, and adaptability.
Engagement
Audience activation, energy stewardship, and facilitation of meaningful experiences.
Together, the Five E’s reflect the range of skills required to lead dynamic, engaging, and successful event experiences.
The Three Phases of CEP Application
From submission to certification decision, every application moves through three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Submit Your Application
Begin by paying your application fee. Once your fee is received, NSA Staff will send you a welcome email with next steps and your SurveyMonkey evaluator link.
Complete and submit all required application materials before the deadline, including:
- Completed CEP Application Form
- Professional Experience Spreadsheet
- Video portfolio
- Professional event documentation
- Client evaluations
Applicant-driven: Complete and submit your required materials before the application deadline.
Phase 2: Video Clip Review
Your video portfolio is reviewed by the CEP Review Panel using the Five E’s rubric: Eloquence, Enterprise, Ethics, Expertise, and Engagement.
Your submitted clips should collectively demonstrate your range across all five competency areas.
Panel-driven: The CEP Review Panel evaluates your submitted video portfolio.
Phase 3: Board Review & Vote
Your complete application goes before the NSA Board of Directors for final review and vote.
Certification decisions are typically issued in March.
Board-driven: Final certification decisions are made following NSA Board review and vote.
2027 CEP Resource Center
2027 CEP applications open November 1, 2026.
Preparing to apply? Use these resources to understand the requirements, determine your eligibility pathway, and prepare your application materials.
CEP Pathways
Explore the available pathways for earning the Certified Emcee Professional designation and determine which route applies to you.
CEP FAQ
Find answers to common questions about eligibility, application requirements, the review process, and the CEP designation.
CEP Application Phases Explained
See how the CEP application moves through three stages, from submission and video review through final board review and certification decisions.
2027 Applicant Checklist
Review the materials and documentation you'll need to prepare for your application.
CEP 2027 Oath
Review the professional commitments required of CEP applicants.
Applicant Engagement Spreadsheet 2027
Use this spreadsheet to document your qualifying professional event engagements for your application.
Applicant Handbook 2027
Review the complete CEP eligibility standards, competency framework, application materials, evaluation process, and certification requirements.
Questions?
Contact CEPAdmin@nsaspeaker.org.