CPCE: The Credential That Certifies You Actually Know the Business of Catering and Events

If you’ve spent years managing catering operations, planning weddings, running a venue, or leading sales for an events company — there’s one credential built specifically for you: CPCE, the Certified Professional in Catering and Events, issued by NACE (the National Association for Catering and Events).

NACE calls it “the only certification focused on the catering and events business” — and that’s the point. It’s not a general event-planning badge. It tests whether you can actually run the business side: contracts, accounting, HR, beverage programs, sales — the stuff that determines whether a catering or events company survives, not just throws a good party.

More than 330 professionals worldwide now hold it.

Who It’s For

• Catering managers and directors
• Event planners and coordinators
• Venue managers and operators
• Sales and marketing pros in the events space
• Anyone who wants formal recognition of hands-on industry expertise

The 7 Things It Actually Tests

The exam is built around seven core competencies:

1. Accounting
2. Beverage Management
3. Catering Services & Operations
4. Contracts & Risk Management
5. Event Design & Execution
6. Human Resources & Administration
7. Sales & Marketing

175 multiple-choice questions, covering all seven. You can sit it in person at a NACE Evolve or Experience conference, or schedule it online.

Do You Qualify?

• General applicants: 3 years of full-time catering/events experience within the last 4 years
• Recent grads of an accredited hospitality program: 2 years of experience
• Everyone: 30 hours of professional development completed in the last 5 years

What It Costs

Item	Cost
Application fee	$295
Exam fee	$295
Reference guide (optional, recommended)	$99 + tax/shipping
Group rate	$50 off per person for 5+ applying together

Scholarships are available through the Foundation of NACE and the Timothy S. Y. Lam Foundation (deadlines: Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15, Nov 15).

How to Actually Get It

1. Confirm you meet the experience + 30-hour requirement
2. Read the CPCE Policy Manual and gather your documentation
3. Apply online via the official CPCE application
4. Pay the $295 application fee — NACE reviews and approves
5. Pay the $295 exam fee, schedule your sitting (in person or online)
6. Take the 175-question exam
7. Pass → you’re CPCE certified. Maintain it with 30 CE hours every 5 years.

Apply now: https://form.jotform.com/nacenational/CPCE_Application

Learn more: https://www.nace.net/about-cpce

Sources

• About the CPCE — nace.net
• Apply to Become a CPCE — nace.net
• Prepare for the CPCE Exam — nace.net
• Maintaining Your CPCE Certification — nace.net
• CPCE Policy Manual (PDF, April 2024) — nace.net
• CPCE Directory — nace.net

Fees and requirements reflect NACE’s published information as of July 2026 and are subject to change — always confirm current details on nace.net before applying.