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NCE FAQs
What is NAMA?
What is the NCE program?
Why NCE? What are the benefits?
Who can apply to become a NCE?
How do I qualify as an applicant?
How do I accumulate points?
How do I apply?
What happens if I send in my application with $500 and my application is denied?
How do I prepare for the exam?
I sent in my application to be reviewed. Can you tell me over the phone if I have been approved?
Once I'm approved, how long is my application good for and is there a deadline on when to complete the exam?
What are the competencies of the exam?
How is the exam administered?
What happens if I take the NCE exam and fail?
Now that I am a NCE, what is involved in recertification.
I have a new address, how should I inform NAMA?
What is NAMA?
NAMA is the national trade association of the food and refreshment vending, coffee service and foodservice management industries including on-site, commissary, catering and mobile. Its membership is comprised of service companies, equipment manufacturers and suppliers of products and services to operating service companies. The basic mission of the association, to collectively advance and promote the automatic merchandising and coffee service industries, still guides NAMA today as it did in 1936, the year of the organization’s founding.
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What is the NCE program?
NAMA Certified Executive, or NCE, is the certification awarded by the National Automatic Merchandising Association (NAMA) to members who have satisfied the experience, leadership and educational requirements and conform to the ethical standards of NAMA.
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Why NCE? What are the benefits?
Achieving the NCE gives designees the competitive professional edge in the marketplace.The NCE designation signifies accomplishment, initiative and professionalism and represents experience, drive and commitment to the industry and to their own professional growth. Having the letters NCE after their name tells others that designees have made a strong commitment to the vending, coffee service and foodservice management industry.
Three benefits of obtaining the NCE Designation:
- Professional Development: Increased knowledge of all aspects of the industry is gained during preparation of the NCE examination.
- Networking Opportunity: You will become part of an elite group that shares the designation.
- Competitive Advantage:When soliciting business as either a supplier oroperator, you have proof of your professional market knowledge.
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Who can apply to become a NCE?
The certification program is designed for professionals with a minimum of 8 years experience in the vending/coffee service/foodservice industry or in a related field: Operations Management, General Management and Owner/President. This includes vending/coffee service/foodservice management professionals, industry suppliers, consultants, manufacturers and service providers.
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How do I qualify as an applicant?
Candidates for the NCE complete a two-step process, which includes an application and multiple choice examination. The application form allows candidates to document and earn credit in three sections: Experience, Education and Leadership. Once the minimum number of points is earned in each of the three sections, the candidate is eligible to submit the application to NAMA for review.
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How do I accumulate points?
 600 points is required for an approved application. Points are earned based on experience in the industry or a related field, education including seminars, workshops, certifications, etc and leadership such as board/committee involvement, attending meetings/expos, and community outreach. Points are easy to track, just look for this symbol for approved events and add to your application for credit.
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How do I apply?
Professionals interested in earning the designation must initiate the process by applying online at www.namance.org
Prospective NCE candidates must pay a non-refundable $500 application fee due at the time their application is submitted to the NAMA Education Department. If applicants do not take the exam within one year following their ADF submission, they must submit a $250 update fee to take the exam.
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What happens if I send in my application with $500 and my application is denied?
The $500 fee is valid for one year following the application submission, a non-refundable fee to cover the cost of processing your application. If you are denied you will be informed of exactly which sections need more points. We highly encourage you to apply for the next exam series.
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How do I prepare for the exam?
A study guide, reference tools and a wide range of training and development opportunities are available to help candidates prepare for the NCE exam. Click here to order.
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I sent in my application to be reviewed. Can you tell me over the phone if I have been approved?
This information is confidential and it is against policy to give the results out over the phone. Applications are sent to the NCE Board Members for review. The NAMA office will send results in writing, approximately two weeks following the application submission.
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Once I'm approved, how long is my application good for and is there a deadline on when to complete the exam?
Once you’ve accrued enough credits on your application, you have 12 months to prepare for and take the NCE exam. The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions drawn exclusively from the NCE Study Guide.
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What are the competencies of the exam?
The exam is based on the NCE Competencies and Body of Knowledge, which is an evolving document reviewed on an ongoing basis. These outline the areas of study you’ll need to become proficient. Its purpose is to identify those areas of information, knowledge and expertise with which the NAMA certified executives should be familiar. By meeting the standards of innovative service and professional management envisioned by this document, NCE's will be leaders in moving the organization successfully into the future.
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How is the exam administered?
The exam can be taken online, and at the NAMA OneShow or affiliated state council meeting by request.
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What happens if I take the NCE exam and fail?
Your application is good for 12 months. You may register for subsequent exams during those 12 months; it is in the candidate’s best interest to test as soon as possible to avoid having to re-apply in the event that the candidate’s eligibility expires. Canidates must pay an additional retake fee.
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Now that I am a NCE, what is involved in recertification?
Every five years NCEs are required to recertify to maintain the NCE designation by documenting ongoing involvement in the industry, continued employment and education. All designated NCEs must maintain their certification status. This recertification must be completed by December 31st of the fifth year after the date of certification and every five years thereafter. Recertification requires 600 points on the recertification application. A $250 recertification fee will apply. Typically, recertification notifications will be emailed to NCEs during the first quarter of the expiring year.
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I have a new address, how should I inform NAMA?
You may submit your new address via email at education@vending.org. It is very important to notify NAMA of any updates including company, position and/or address changes since we will be in contact with you for the remainder of your certification.
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