International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA)
Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA)
Credential: Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA)
Credentialing Agency: International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA), Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA) credential is an apprentice-level certification for those who are new to cost-related professions. Cost estimating requires a solid foundation of cost knowledge woven together with a variety of cost experiences. The intent of this designation is to offer junior cost estimators a chance to validate their knowledge and show progression towards a CCEA. Candidates must meet a combination of education and experience requirements. Candidates must pass Part I of the certification exam.
More information can be found on the certifying agency's website.
Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA)
Attainability: 
Eligibility Requirements (View Details)
- Credential Prerequisite
- Experience: 2 years
- Education
- Training
- Membership
- Other
- Fee
Note: This credential may have multiple options for a Service member to meet eligibility requirements. Requirements listed here are based on the minimum degree required.
To view other options, see the Eligibility tab.
Exam Requirements (View Details)
- Exam
- Written Exam
- Oral Exam
- Practical Exam
- Performance Assessment
Exam Administration (View Details)
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Renewal Period: 3 years
- Continuing Education
- Exam
- Continuing Education OR Exam
- Fee
- Other
International Cost Estimating and Analysis Association (ICEAA)
4115 Annandale Road
Suite 306
Annandale, VA 22003
Phone: 703-642-3090
Fax: 703-642-0467
Email: iceaa@iceaaonline.org
Option 1:
Candidate must have a Bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited college and two years of cost experience.
Option 2:
Candidate without a Bachelor's degree must demonstrate five years of cost experience.
Acceptable related experience in cost estimating and analysis includes accounting, finance, mathematics, statistics, engineering, economics, accounting, or related sciences.
Part I tests Foundation Knowledge and Practical Application. Part I consists of 60 multiple choice questions worth 1 point each. The applicant must pass Part I of the examination with an overallscore of 70% or greater to receive credit for the examination.
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Cost Estimating Basics
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Costing Techniques
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Parametric Estimating
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Data Collection and Normalization
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Index/Inflation
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Basic Data Analysis Principles
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Learning Curve
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Regression Analysis
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Cost Risk Analysis
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Probability and Statistics
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Manufacturing Cost Estimating
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Software Cost Estimating
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Economic Analysis
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Contract Pricing
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Earned Value Management
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Cost Management
There are a number of resources available to help you prepare for the Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA) examination:
An additional resource is O'Reilly Learning Safari Books Online, a searchable digital library that provides online access to thousands of books, training videos and conference sessions. See the Educational Resources section on the
Related Sites page here on COOL to learn how to get free access.
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Exam Administration
Credential exams may be administered in-person at a testing site, proctored on-line remotely, or have options for both. If an exam is administered through a test vendor, the third-party test vendor box will be checked. The following test administration options apply to the Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA) credential where checked:
- In-person exam
- Remote proctored on-line exam
- Third-party test vendor
Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA)
Renewal Period: 3 years
The Professional Cost Estimator/Analyst (PCEA) credential has the following recertification information:
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The PCEA is valid for three years. Certification holders may renew only by re-taking the exam.
- Candidate applying for the PCEA because of not meeting CCEA eligibility requirements has the opportunity to take the entire CCEA examination (Part I and Part II). If he/she successfully passes both parts, he/she will be awarded the PCEA immediately, and, upon reaching five years of cost experience, will automatically receive CCEA.
MOS is Military Occupational Specialty
ASI is Additional Skill Identifier
WOMOS is Warrant Officer Military Occupational Specialty
AOC is Area Of Concentration Officer
Functional Area
Branch
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
This is an official U.S. Army website
Updated: February 26, 2021
Army Table Legend
Related As
The military occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of four ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the military occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the military occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience.
CA Eligible
This column indicates that the credential is eligible for CA.
Promotion Points
This credential has been approved for promotion points for this MOS towards promotion to Sergeant and Staff Sergeant. Clicking the Promotion Points icon will open a link to the promotion points fact sheet.
Skill Level Designation
Skill Level I
This skill level consists of all Soldiers in the ranks of Private (pay grade E-1) up to Specialist (pay grade E-4). Time in Service (TIS) is generally between initial entry and four Years of Service (YOS). This skill level is Entry-level positions requiring performance of tasks under direct supervision.
Institutional training:
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level I
- Basic Leader Course (BLC)
Skill Level II
This skill level is obtained when promoted to Sergeant (paygrade E-5). TIS is generally between 4-8 YOS. Positions requiring performance of more difficult tasks under general supervision; and in some instances, involving supervision of Soldiers in SL1.
Institutional training:
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level II
- Advance Leader Course (ALC)
Skill Level III
This skill level is obtained when promoted to Staff Sergeant (paygrade E-6). TIS is generally between 8-12 YOS. Positions requiring performance of still more difficult tasks and involving first line supervision of Soldiers in SL1 & SL2.
Institutional training:
- Senior Leader Course (SLC)
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level III
Skill Level IV
This skill level is obtained when promoted to the rank of Sergeant First Class (paygrade E-7). TIS is generally between 12-18 YOS. Positions requiring relatively detailed knowledge of all tasks specified for a given MOS, normally involving first-line supervision of Soldiers in SLs 1, 2, and 3, and involving managerial duties.
Institutional training:
- Master Leader Course (MLC)
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level IV
- Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education (SEJPME) I Course
Skill Level V
This skill level is obtained when promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant (paygrade E-8). TIS is generally between 18-22 YOS. Positions requiring direct and indirect leadership roles with expertise in company and battalion-level operations and competency across a given CMF, serving as members of a staff at every level in the Army, with a full understanding of the allocation of resources and their utilization in order to accomplish Army functions and missions.
Institutional training:
- United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA)
- Structured Self-Development (SSD) level V
Skill Level VI
This skill level is obtained when promoted to the rank of Sergeants Major (paygrade E-9). TIS is generally between 22-30 YOS. Positions requiring organizational leadership roles with multi-dimensional expertise in units and teams on division, corps, and Army staffs, integrated with Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental, and Multinational (JIIM) partners with a full understanding of the Force Generation process, operations at all echelons, and how the Army runs.
Star Credential
Star credentials are MOS enhancing, as designated by the Proponent. MOS enhancing credentials are directly related to an MOS or ASI, are taught either partially or completely as part of a Program of Instruction (POI), and improve the MOS technical proficiency.
Gap Analysis
A detailed analysis comparing the credential requirements to the military occupation has been completed. Click on the gap analysis icon to view the analysis page.
Federal Occupations Table Legend
Related As
The federal occupations shown in this table are related to this credential in one of three ways: Most, Some, or Other.
MOST
This credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the federal occupation (at least 80%). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
SOME
This credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the federal occupation (related 80% to at least one or more critical tasks but less than 80% of all of the entire military occupation). Note that the credential may require additional education, training or experience before you are eligible for it.
OTHER
This credential is related to this federal occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will most likely require additional education, training, or experience.
Civilian Occupations Table Legend
Bright Outlook
The Bright Outlook icon indicates that new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job. Click the links in this column to go to the external link My Next Move For Veterans State Map.
Registered Apprenticeship
The Registered Apprenticeship icon indicates that this job has an apprenticeship program registered with the U.S. Department of Labor. Click the links in this column to go to the Apprenticeship Finder and enter career path or location to find apprenticeship opportunities
Local Salary Information
Click the links in this column to go to the external link My Next Move for Veterans web site to view salary and employment information for the job.
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