Circular Economy Alliance and the Circular Economy Research Centre have created a unique selection of certifications with one primary goal: to educate global workforces for the future. The curriculum is research-driven and incredibly diverse, developed by both organizations for maximum impact. 

Successfully transitioning towards a Circular Economy requires knowledge, awareness, and skills that many of today’s workforces have not yet had the opportunity to develop. Our diverse curriculum and extensive body of expertise close that gap with targeted, short, and flexible training opportunities. You can expand your understanding, broaden your skillset and gain valuable certifications for the future from the comfort of your own home and on your schedule.

Our certifications are designed to strengthen professional competencies, support employability, and provide practical Circular Economy knowledge for a more sustainable and resilient workforce.

Getting certified helps you strengthen your knowledge, skills, and understanding of Circular Economy principles and practices. Depending on the certification level selected, learners can develop foundational, advanced, or specialist-level expertise while gaining practical insights that can be applied across organizations, industries, and projects.

The knowledge gained through the certification can help you better understand how Circular Economy principles are applied in practice, identify opportunities for innovation and resource efficiency, and contribute to sustainability initiatives within your organization or field of work.

In addition to expanding your knowledge and skills, certification holders become part of a growing international community of professionals committed to advancing the transition towards a more circular and regenerative economy.

Each certification is made up of different elements of the curriculum, expertly chosen to match varying demands and degrees of knowledge.

There are four learning and certification pathways on offer for you to choose from.

Certificate of Completion (CoC)

Our Certificate of Completion (CoC) is ideal for individuals interested in exploring a specific area of Circular Economy or developing knowledge in a targeted domain without enrolling in a full certification pathway.

You’ll have the opportunity to strengthen your understanding of a particular Circular Economy topic while gaining practical insight into how individual domains connect to broader circular and sustainability frameworks.

The Certificate of Completion is ideal for learners looking to upskill, reskill, specialize in a specific topic, or expand their understanding of Circular Economy principles in a flexible and accessible way.

Circular Economy Specialist (Level I) – Foundational

Our Circular Economy Specialist (Level I) – Foundational certification is designed for students, graduates, early-career professionals, and anyone seeking to build a strong foundational understanding of Circular Economy principles and practices.

As part of this certification, learners gain access to the four foundational courses of our Circular Economy Body of Knowledge. The program introduces the key principles, frameworks, business models, tools, and strategies shaping the transition toward a more circular and sustainable economy.

This certification provides a practical and accessible starting point for individuals interested in lifelong learning, sustainability, and future-oriented business transformation. Learners will develop the foundational knowledge required to understand how Circular Economy principles can support resource efficiency, waste reduction, regenerative systems, and long-term resilience.

If you are looking to develop a solid understanding of Circular Economy concepts and their practical relevance across industries and society, this certification is the ideal starting point.

Circular Economy Specialist (Level II) – Advanced

Our Circular Economy Specialist (Level II) – Advanced certification is designed for learners seeking to move beyond foundational knowledge and develop applied and implementation-oriented expertise in Circular Economy principles and practices.

As part of this certification, learners gain access to ten carefully curated courses, combining the four foundational modules with six additional advanced courses covering areas such as circular business models, digital transformation, Industry 4.0, circular supply chains, ecosystems, circular energy systems, and circular water management.

This certification is ideal for professionals who wish to strengthen their ability to support and implement Circular Economy initiatives across projects, organizations, and broader systems contexts. Learners will develop practical understanding, strategic insight, and applied knowledge required to contribute to circular transition efforts and sustainability-focused innovation.

If you are looking to strengthen your practical Circular Economy capabilities and broaden your understanding of advanced circular systems and implementation strategies, this certification is ideal for you.

Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery

Our Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery certification is our most advanced and comprehensive certification pathway, designed for learners seeking specialist-level understanding and multidisciplinary expertise across the Circular Economy domain.

As part of this certification, learners gain access to sixteen (16) examinable courses and one (1) supplementary non-examinable learning module, covering advanced Circular Economy principles, systems, technologies, policies, and implementation practices.

The program explores a broad spectrum of topics including circular business models, circular design, procurement and supply chains, industrial symbiosis, ecosystems, circular energy systems, circular water management, digital transformation, Industry 4.0 technologies, performance economy, policy frameworks, and regenerative business strategies.

This certification is ideal for professionals, consultants, managers, and sustainability leaders seeking to strengthen their ability to influence, support, and drive systemic circular transition initiatives across organizational, industrial, and societal levels.

If you are looking to develop specialist-level expertise and gain a comprehensive understanding of advanced Circular Economy practices and applications, this certification is designed for you.

The Circular Economy Specialist (Level I) – Foundational certification is best suited for students, graduates, early-career professionals, career changers, and individuals seeking to develop a foundational understanding of Circular Economy principles and sustainable business practices.

The Circular Economy Specialist (Level II) – Advanced certification is best suited for professionals, managers, consultants, sustainability practitioners, and individuals seeking to develop more advanced and applied Circular Economy knowledge across business, operations, systems, and implementation practices.

The Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery certification is best suited for professionals, consultants, executives, sustainability leaders, researchers, and practitioners seeking specialist-level expertise and a comprehensive multidisciplinary understanding of Circular Economy systems, strategies, and implementation practices.

Our Circular Economy certifications are designed to help you develop the knowledge and skills needed to support your professional growth while contributing to positive change within organizations and society.

You will gain practical insights into Circular Economy principles and approaches, helping you identify opportunities for innovation, resource efficiency, and sustainable business practices. In addition, you will join a community of like-minded professionals committed to advancing the transition towards a more circular and regenerative economy.

The knowledge gained through the certification can help you contribute more effectively to projects, organizations, and initiatives focused on sustainability and circularity.

No, you may only be enrolled in one certification pathway at a time.

Yes, you can register for one or more courses simultaneously.

We do not offer a free trial for our certification programs and courses.

You can learn more about the certifications learning journey in this  video.

Yes, we offer consultation calls. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected]

We don’t offer one-on-one sessions at this time.

There are no eligibility criteria requirements.

There are no prerequisites required for our courses or certifications.

Each certification program is evaluated through the successful completion of a respective examination following each examinable module. Each examination consists of ten (10) randomized multiple-choice questions and is timed, based exclusively on the content of the respective module.
A minimum passing score of 70% is required for each examinable module, and learners are provided with three (3) examination attempts per module.
The Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery certification additionally includes one supplementary non-examinable learning module provided for additional educational value.
There is no examination requirement when purchasing individual courses in order to obtain a Certificate of Completion (CoC).
Results are displayed immediately upon completion of each examination.

Our certifications have been designed for anyone and everyone to complete at their own pace. We understand that you will not always know how your schedule might look ahead of time or how much time you will be able to dedicate to your certification. That is why our certification schedules are incredibly flexible, allowing you to decide how much time you need to complete. We suggest you take the exam immediately after completing the content of each module.

However, all certification programs must be validated within the respective time frame of the initial registration based on each certification program and individual course:

• Circular Economy Specialist (Level I) – Foundational – two (2) months
• Circular Economy Specialist (Level II) – Advanced – four (4) months
• Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery – six (6) months
• Individual course – two (2) weeks

The initial certification period is valid for one calendar year following the successful completion of your Circular Economy Specialist (Level I) – Foundational, Circular Economy Specialist (Level II) – Advanced, or Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery certification program. After this initial period, you will need to maintain your certificate with a 50€ annual renewal fee to ensure your certification remains valid and that you retain your active status as part of the Circular Economy Alliance certified members directory. If for whatever reason, you decide not to renew your certification, your certification will expire and your membership in Circular Economy Alliance certified members directory will be revoked. You will be required to redo the certificate in the future if you wish to reinstate it. There is no requirement to revalidate any certification unless your certification and membership have expired for more than one calendar year. As we drive the transition to a Circular Economy forward, our global directory of Certified Professionals must keep their knowledge as fresh as possible. By renewing your membership each year, you will maintain access to exclusive benefits and opportunities to further your skillset for the future.

It will strengthen your knowledge of Circular Economy business models and best practices, while developing the skills needed to understand, support, lead, and implement circular solutions.

As organizations increasingly adapt to sustainability and green transition requirements, Circular Economy knowledge is becoming a valuable professional asset that can support long-term career growth and development.

You can find all the resources needed in the knowledge center.

To ensure the reliability and credibility of our credentials, CEA has partnered with Accredible to issue our credentials in the most secure and verifiable manner. All our credentials are digital and verifiable through blockchain technology. You will be awarded a digital Certificate upon successfully completing any Certification program. You will receive a dedicated email with your unique link to access your certificate, share it on any social media pages, download it and/or print it for your records. Within your certification page, you will be able to see the course information and the verification button, which will confirm the validity of your certificate.

We do not offer hard copies of certificates. All the certificates are digital with the option to be printed. 

At CEA, we encourage you to avoid printing documents as it is resource-intensive.

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An annual membership for the CEA costs a yearly fee of 50€. Membership costs help to ensure the validity of your certifications and secure your place in Circular Economy Alliance certified members directory. 

Only those with a valid and active certification can be members of the registered Circular Economy Alliance certified members directory. Annual membership is included with the initial certification fee for one year and the annual renewal fee of 50€, required to maintain certification and active member status after that. 

Unfortunately, despite many requests, we do not intend to accept external, that is, non-certified professionals, as part of the Circular Economy Alliance certified members directory.

Maintenance of certification only applies to the Circular Economy Specialist (Level I) – Foundational, Circular Economy Specialist (Level II) – Advanced, and Circular Economy Specialist (Level III) – High Mastery certifications and does not apply to Certificates of Completion (CoC) issued for individual courses. Members should also note that there is no requirement to retake any assessment or exam, except if you allow your membership and certification to expire for more than one calendar year without renewal.

As a member of the CEA certified members directory, you will remain connected to the latest developments, research, opportunities, and discussions shaping the Circular Economy transition. You will receive regular updates, continuous access to new research-based knowledge on the Circular Economy, and invitations to events, conferences, presentations, workshops, and networking opportunities. As the field of Circular Economy evolves, so will the best practices, strategies, and skills necessary for adopting it successfully. CEA is committed to regularly updating the Circular Economy certificate curriculum and Body of Knowledge to include the latest developments. Certified members will be notified of changes to maintain the relevance of their Circular Economy expertise. In addition, you will receive ‘early bird’ and ‘loyalty’ discounts on all future educational and training products developed by CEA.

To join the Circular Economy Alliance Network as an organization, please visit our Join the Circular Economy Network  page and complete the relevant application form. For additional information, please contact us directly.

Please feel free to check out the knowledge center to access our abundant resources on the Circular Economy.

You can unsubscribe from the newsletters from the option ‘unsubscribe’ at the end of a newsletter email you have received.

You can find a list of all certified individuals on this page:  https://circulareconomyalliance.com/certified-members-directory/

If you have applied for one of CEA’s vacancies, please contact our Human Resources Department at [email protected].

Suppose your application is for another organization’s vacancy from our job board. In that case, you will have to contact that specific organization’s HR Department or any other responsible person stated on their job posting.

Yes, we do offer internship opportunities in the education field.  

Some of our internships may be unpaid and are designed primarily as learning and professional development opportunities, providing valuable practical experience and exposure to the Circular Economy field.

Please note that CEA is under no obligation to provide interns with a position as an employee or on any other basis.

Yes, we do offer traineeship opportunities. CEA considers applications from EU Nationals and non-EU Nationals. Our traineeship contracts start as a 6-month contract, and can be extended for another 6.

• Full-time trainees train an average of 38 hours per week and have ongoing employment.
• Part-time trainees train regularly; the training should be no less than 15 hours per week.

The main difference between internships and traineeships is that most of the time, an internship is unpaid. 

A traineeship is always a paid and usually full-time position.

Yes. Internship opportunities are available to students over the age of 18. 

If you are a student and wish to strengthen your resume and gain new skills and experience, we encourage you to apply!

We do not offer scholarships at this time. 

In case of an unsuccessful charge to a credit card, try to use another one. In the event of a technical or system issue, please contact CEA Support at [email protected] 
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