Comparison of CFM to FMP
Certified Facility Manager • No required coursework. • Designed to recognize experienced professionals for proficiency in all areas of FM.
• Competency-based: Assesses expertise in the field
through work experience, education and ability to comprehensive exam.
• CFM Exam Format: Computerized exam consists of 4
modules, each 90 minutes long, containing Multiplechoice questions on the 9 FM competencies. Candidates must entire exam in one sitting. Accepted candidates may schedule the exam at one of Prometric’s 300 testing centers in the U.S. and Canada within 90 days of acceptance.
• Maintenance: You must recertify every 3 years. A total
of 120 CFM maintenance points must be earned within the 3-year period. A description of qualifying maintenance points can be found on the IFMA Web site at www.ifma.org under the CFM Certification link.
• Maintenance fee: $200 for IFMA every 3 years.
• Important Facts: o Established in 1993 o Located in more than 20 countries o Held by more than 3,200 professionals o CFMs earn approximately 13% more than nonCFM counterparts.
• Who should apply: o Ideal candidates must meet certain education and experience requirements before sitting for the exam. To view requirements, visit the IFMA Web site at www.ifma.org. o Mid- to senior-level FM professionals meeting education and experience requirements.
Facility Management Professional • Required coursework.
• There is no exam. • Designed to broaden a beginner’s knowledge and accelerate transition into the profession.
• Knowledge-based: Requires candidates to earn 6 credits through the completion of approved courses. Training is available through a variety of learning formats. The FM Business Workshop is the only course required to be taken through IFMA headquarters. Refer to FMP online brochure at www.ifma.org for more information. • 1 credit equals 15 hours of instructor time. This is equal to a two-day IFMA course or two halfday courses at 7.5 hours each. • FMP is an ideal springboard for obtaining the CFM.
• Maintenance: You must recertify every 2 years. A
total of 60 points must be earned from the following: FM networking; business and workplace leadership; participation in IFMA chapters, councils or research; continuing education; career growth; involvement in committees in the workplace; etc.
• Maintenance fee: $100 every 2 years. • Who should apply: o FM practitioners with less than 5 years of experience. o Transitioning professionals with significant experience in former related careers. o Partner practitioners such as architects, designers and safety engineers. o Corporate providers of FM products and services. o Students entering the profession from colleges, universities, certificate or technical programs
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