Certification Renewal Criteria

New! - Online Renewal Application Submission - Certification Renewal Application [1]

Note: The renewal requirements page has been updated as of July 2025. The requirements have stayed the same. Any future changes to the renewal requirements will be tracked with the renewal requirements version number.

Renewal Requirements version 2025.R.1

AASECT recognizes that a certified member has chosen a specialty in the field of human sexuality and is committed to and demonstrates a high level of professional education, accountability, and standards.

AASECT Certification renewal is required every three (3) years. Applicants for renewal must be members in good standing and will be current in payment of membership and other fees.

Continuing Education Requirements for Certification Renewal

The minimum requirement for certification renewal is twenty (20) AASECT Continuing Education (CE) credits. All education must be related to sexuality. CE credits used for certification renewal are subject to review and approval by the Certification Steering Committee and must align with AASECT policies, ethics, and position statements.

The twenty (20) CE credits can be obtained in their entirety from AASECT sponsored or approved CE programs or events, or certified members may choose to acquire CE credits through alternative methods.

Alternative Methods for Earning CE Credits

Five (5) AASECT sponsored or approved CE credits and fifteen (15) credits using the following methods (no more than 5 CE credits per method unless otherwise noted below).

A. Non-AASECT sponsored or approved sexuality education.

These CEs will apply at half value, with two (2) non-AASECT CE credits equalling one (1) AASECT CE credit. Up to a maximum of five (5) AASECT CE credits.

B. Supervision with an AASECT Certified Supervisor.

One (1) hour of supervision equals one (1) AASECT CE credit. Up to a maximum of five (5) AASECT CE credits.

C. For AASECT Certified Supervisors: Providing supervision for candidates in the process of becoming AASECT Certified.

AASECT Certified Supervisors may count a portion of their supervisory hours towards certification renewal. One (1) hour of supervision equals one (1) AASECT CE credit. Up to a maximum of five (5) AASECT CE credits.

D. Publication of a paper in a professional journal or a chapter in a text book.

The content must address some aspect of sexuality and the journal or book must meet AASECT criteria as determined by the Certification Steering Committee. One (1) article or chapter may be counted towards certification renewal. One (1) article or chapter equals three (3) AASECT CE credits.

E. Development of a teaching tool (e.g., video, audio, or manual resource related to sexuality).

The Certification Steering Committee will determine whether the teaching tool meets AASECT criteria. One (1) teaching tool may be counted towards certification renewal. One (1) teaching tool equals three (3) AASECT CE credits.

F. Designing or conducting a training program for an AASECT sponsored or approved setting.

Two (2) hours of presentation equals one (1) AASECT CE credit. Up to a maximum of five (5) AASECT CE credits.

G. Designing or conducting a training program for a non-AASECT sponsored or approved setting.

The Certification Steering Committee will determine whether the teaching experience meets AASECT criteria. One (1) teaching experience may be counted towards certification renewal.
For Certified Sexuality Counselors and Supervisors, and Certified Sex Therapists and Supervisors: Up to a maximum of five (5) AASECT CE credits.
For Certified Sexuality Educators and Supervisors: Up to a maximum of fifteen (15) CE credits.

H. Authoring a published book or editing of collected works, books, and journals.

The manuscript must appear as a recent publication (published within the certification period). The Certification Steering Committee will determine if the book or edited work meets AASECT Criteria. One (1) authored or edited work may be counted towards certification renewal. One (1) authored or edited work equals five (5) AASECT CE credits.

I. AASECT Volunteer Work.

The AASECT Board of Directors recognizes and rewards AASECT's countless volunteers for their work, without which AASECT could not serve its members at the current standard of quality. To these ends, AASECT Committee Chairs may award up to five (5) AASECT CE credits total every two (2) years for leadership, service, or organization support on an AASECT committee. Regardless of how many volunteer credits AASECT members may earn over their active certification period, they may only use five (5) AASECT CE credits in this method towards their certification renewal. This limit is meant to encourage a robust experience in the accumulation of hours.

Note: While a general SAR fulfills the experiential requirement for an applicant's initial certification as a sexuality educator, counselor, or therapist, AASECT also recognizes that an AASECT sponsored or approved SAR may fulfill some or all of the required Continuing Education credits required for certification renewal. Therefore, topical and advanced SARs may count towards certification at a 1:1 hourly ratio.

Documentation and Fees:

AASECT strives to create the potential for as close to a paperless certification renewal process as possible through the following procedures:

AASECT Certified Sexuality Educators, Counselors, Sex Therapists, and Supervisors have the total responsibility for maintaining a record of their continuing education and professional activity as it relates to their certification renewal.
Documentation of continuing education, or professional activity which may be relevant to one's continuing education (see above), must be listed individually on the AASECT Certification Renewal Application [1], with the total CE credits claimed clearly noted. Candidates for certification renewal will affirm by signing the application that they have in their possession documentation that will verify the education and professional experience stated on the form.
The AASECT office will, from time to time, conduct random audits of the applications for certification renewal in order to verify the accuracy of the material reported on the AASECT Certification Renewal Application form. Should the audit of a member's records show deficiencies between the information listed on the application and the documentation provided during an audit to support claims concerning CE activity the matter will be referred to the AASECT Certification Steering Committee for review and possible action.

Applicants for reneal will pay a non-refundable processing fee:

Certified Sexuality Educators, Certified Sexuality Counselors, Certified Sex Therapists, Diplomates of Sex Therapy: $150 USD

Certified Supervisors: $50 USD

Payment and Application Submission

Certification renewal materials will be submitted to AASECT through the AASECT Certification Renewal Application [1].

Upon receipt of your application, the AASECT office will provide instructions for payment of the renewal fee.

To avoid a lapse in appearing in the "Locate a Professional" Directory, AASECT recommends submitting your certification renewal application at least 6 weeks prior to the expiration date of your current certification. Applications can be submitted started 6 months prior to the expiration date of your current certification.

Certification Renewal Policies

The twenty (20) Continuing Education (CE) credits that are required for certification renewal must be completed by the expiration date of the member's current certification. It is expected that this continuing education is related to the field of sexuality education, counseling or therapy.
Once certified, you will be required to renew your AASECT Certification every three (3) years and renew your AASECT membership yearly. All certified members will be sent a courtesy notice starting 6 months in advance of their certification expiration date and periodically thereafter, until one month after the certification expires, at which time the member will be notified that the certification has expired. AASECT membership renews each year at the end of the calendar year and is required to keep certification valid.
AASECT will perform random audits of certification renewal applications. Every 10th renewal application that is received will be flagged for audit, and the applicant will be asked to supply copies of all CE certificates that are listed in the application. The renewal application and all supporting documentation will be reviewed by the chair of the appropriate certification committee.

Lapsed Certification

Certified members who allow their certification(s) to lapse for more than three (3) months but no more than one (1) year because of non-payment of membership dues or certification renewal fees and wish to have their certification re-instated will need to submit the following:

A statement, in writing to AASECT, explaining the circumstances for the lapse in certification(s).
Documentation of completion of the required number of CE credits needed for certification renewal, acquired within one (1) year prior to certification reinstatement.
A completed certification renewal application.
Documentation of current membership in AASECT, with dues paid in full. For information on renewing your membership please click here [2].
Payment of the certification renewal application fee(s).
Payment of the reinstatement fee (equal to the amount of the certification renewal fee).

Cases of Certification lapses of more than one calendar year will be brought to the Certification Steering Committee for review and discussion. Additional hours of supervision and/or re-application may be required.

Please Note: During the lapsed period, no member may identify him/herself as an AASECT Certified Professional (AASECT Membership Agreement, 1.B [3]). The name of the lapsed member will also be removed from the Locate a Professional site. AASECT By-Laws [4], Sections H. & I [4]

Voluntary Hold

Members may sometimes find themselves in hardship situations (health issues, family issues, loss of employment, or other unforeseen life circumstances) and decide to put a ‘voluntary hold’ on their AASECT Certification(s). To initiate a ‘voluntary hold’:

In a timely manner, notify the AASECT office in writing regarding the particular circumstances that necessitate putting the AASECT Certification(s) on hold, giving the start date and the reason(s) for the ‘voluntary hold.
Give an estimate of the planned length of the ‘voluntary hold.
AASECT Staff will acknowledge/confirm the official start of the ‘voluntary hold'.

Please Note: No member may identify him/herself as an AASECT Certified Professional while the certification is on ‘voluntary hold’ (AASECT Membership Agreement, 1.B [3]). Additionally, the name of the member whose certification is on hold will be removed from the Locate a Professional site. AASECT By-Laws, Sections H [4].

To re-activate certification after being on ‘voluntary hold’:

Complete the appropriate certification renewal application(s).
Submit a copy of the acknowledgment letter of the 'voluntary hold' from AASECT.
Send a copy of the certification certificate that was valid before the start of the 'voluntary hold'.
On a case-by-case basis, some additional hours of supervision from an AASECT certified Supervisor may be required.
Complete the required number of CE Credits needed for certification renewal, acquired within one (1) year prior to certification reactivation.
Have current AASECT membership, with dues paid in full.
Pay the certification renewal application fee(s).
Pay a re-activation administrative fee.