How To Become A
CERA/CERV Graduate

Step 1:
Submit an Application for Admission and include $50 application fee

Step 2:
Review the Certification Requirements for Graduation

• View the Core Graduation Courses (I - XII) listing.
• View the Calendar of scheduled courses, dates and locations.
• Course Requirements:
  Complete a total of 12 core graduation courses. Each course is 1½ days. Program must be completed within 12 years.
• Experience Requirements:
  (1) Serve as a full time election/voter registration official OR have a full time job where election/voter registration is a portion of your job duties; AND
  (2) Administer one jurisdiction-wide election; AND
  (3) Have 2 years of election or voter registration experience by graduation date.
• Conference/Workshop Requirements (2 events):
  (1) Attend 2 Election Center conferences or workshops; OR
  (2) Attend 1 Election Center event PLUS attend 1 event from another association (minimum of 5 hours of election or voter registration subject matter).
  Note: This must occur between the admission date and graduation date.
• Save all course/conference/workshop documentation including receipts, when attending events from organizations other than The Election Center. Documentation is required when applying for graduation. Documentation of attendance to Election Center conference/workshops is NOT required when applying for graduation.

Step 3:
Submit an Application for Graduation

• Deadline for submitting an Application for Graduation is annually on June 1.
• Include $175 application fee with application, OR include $275 if not attending conference and graduation ceremony or if attending graduation ceremony only.
• Mail your completed graduation forms and fees by June 1 to:
       Connie Schmidt
       P.O. Box 478, Spring Hill, KS 66083
       (913) 206-7395
       E-mail: scjschmidt@aol.com
  • Call Houston office for overnight delivery address.
• If you have questions, please contact Connie Schmidt at (913) 206-7395 or e-mail: scjschmidt@aol.com.
• If further information is needed, you will be contacted for clarification or to submit additional information. You will be notified by Election Center regarding approval or denial of your application.
• Attend graduation ceremony at national conference and receive official pin, plaque and recognition.
• Reminder: Graduates who attend the graduation ceremony only and not the conference will be assessed an additional $100 to cover pro rata share of the ceremony. Graduates who do not attend the conference or the ceremony will be assessed a shipping handling fee of $100 to cover shipping costs and pro rata share of the ceremony.
• Have questions? Go to FAQ - CERA/CERV Graduation.

Step 4:
Submit an application to Renew Your CERA/CERV Status

• Renewal status is required every three years.
• Deadline for renewal is annually on December 31. Example: If your graduation/renewal date is 8/10/03, you should renew your status by submitting an Application for Renewal by 12/31/06.
• Include $100 renewal fee with application.

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