With the implementation of the revised Employment Agency Regulatory Framework, key appointment holders and staff of employment agencies are required to attend and pass the Certificate of Employment Intermediaries (CEI) test.

This requirement seeks to raise industry standards of employment agencies in Singapore by encouraging understanding and compliance of various legislations, licensing conditions and good practices through CEI.

Existing key appointment holders have to obtain CEI (KAH) within one year while other staff members have to obtain CEI (Basic) within the next three years.

As for new key appointment holders and EA staff, they have to obtain CEI (KAH) and CEI (EA Personnel) respectively before they can register with Ministry of Manpower.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to complete the relevant training courses before attempting any of the CEI exams however, they can choose to take ANY of the CEI exams (only ONCE) without attending the course. Should they fail the exam, they are REQUIRED to complete the relevant course before taking the re-test. Candidates MUST produce their course certificate of completion during registration for the re-test.

On the other hand, If candidates have already attended the relevant CEI course but failed the exam, they may take the re-test without having to re-attend the CEI course. There is no limit to the number of re-test attempts.