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FAQ

General

CM Certification

     

    General

    Construction Management is a professional service that applies effective management techniques to the planning, design, and construction of a project from inception to completion for the purpose of controlling time, cost and quality.

    Construction Management is a discipline and management system specifically created to promote the successful execution of capital projects for owners. These projects can be highly complex. Few owners maintain the staff resources necessary to pay close, continuing attention to every detail--yet these details can "make or break" a project.

     
     
    "Agency" CM is a fee-based service in which the construction manager is responsible exclusively to the owner and acts in the owner's interests at every stage of the project. The construction manager offers advice, uncolored by any conflicting interest, on such crucial matters as:

    - Optimum use of available funds

    - Control of the scope of the work

    - Project scheduling

    - Optimum use of design and construction firms' skills and talents

    - Avoidance of delays, changes and disputes

    - Enhancing project design and construction quality

    - Optimum flexibility in contracting and procurement

    Comprehensive management of every stage of the project, beginning with the original concept and project definition, yields the greatest possible benefit to owners from Construction Management.
     

     
    "At-risk" CM is a delivery method which entails a commitment by the construction manager to deliver the project within a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP). The construction manager acts as consultant to the owner in the development and design phases, but as the equivalent of a general contractor during the construction phase. When a construction manager is bound to a GMP, the most fundamental character of the relationship is changed. In addition to acting in the owner's interest, the construction manager also protects him/herself.
     
     
    Program Managemetn is the practice of professional construction management applied to a capital improvement program of one or more projects from inception to completion. Comprehensive construction management services are used to integrate the different facets of the construction process - planning, design, procurement, construction and activation - for the purpose of providing standardized technical and management expertise on each project.
     
     
    How do I select a CM?
    CMAA recommends a systematic approach to selecting a construction manager, based on an objective evaluation of the qualifications of competing firms, coupled with a clear expression of the owner's expectations and desires. An effective selection process should include the following steps.
    1. Create a clear statement of the project, including size, purposes, goals, and other parameters.
    2. State your expectations regarding schedule and budget.
    3. Define your own internal procedures.
    4. Form a selection committee.
    5. Statement of Qualifications. Publish a Request for a Statement of Qualifications (RFQ).
    6. Compile a "short list."
    7. Proposals.
    8. Evaluate bidders.
    9. Finalize scope of services and cost.

    See Find a CM/PM section of this website for more elaboration on these guidelines.

     
     
    The Mission of CMAA is "to promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process."

    The Vision of CMAA is "to be the Authority in the Management of the Construction Process."

     
     
    CM Certification
      
    Certification is a voluntary designation given to someone who has met the prescribed criteria of a program. Licensing is mandatory and required by law.
     
     
    The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) is someone who has voluntarily met the prescribed criteria of the CCM program with regard to formal education, field experience and demonstrated capability and understanding of the CM body of knowledge.
     
     
    There are 3 reasons:

    1. CM certification tells owners, employers and peers that you are a professional.
    2. Certification indicates that as a CM practitioner, you have demonstrated the knowledge, experience and judgement necessary for sound, professional construction management.
    3. Certification helps owners and construction consumers in selecting CMs for their programs and projects.

     
     
    CMCI is the Construction Manager Certification Institute. It is sponsored by CMAA and is the organization which oversees the certification program. It has several goals:
     
    It is the independent governing body of the Construction Manager Certification Institute (CMCI). CMCI is sponsored by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA). It is comprised of 12 members: CCMs and executive-level CMs. They are charged with overseeing the certification program; they also review candidate applications and decide whether or not to advance to candidacy.
     
     
    Most applicants are certified within 4-7 months of submitting their applications. The length of time it takes to become certified depends upon how quickly you can submit a complete application including project documentation; how quicky the references respond; and how quickly you can take and pass the CCM exam.
     
     
    Once we receive your application, it undergoes an administrative review to make sure that we have all the required parts of the application: Qualifications Matrix, application, payment, 48 months of project documentation, resume, etc. The Institute also contacts the references. After the reference letters have been received and the application is complete, your application will then be sent to the CMCI Board of Governors for review and evaluation. They make the determination to advance you to candidacy or not.
     
     
    Two reference letters are required; they can be from any two projects that you are documenting as part of your 48 month requirement. Even if one project covers the 48 months, you will still need 2 reference letters. Acceptable references required MUST come from a CLIENT or OWNER (the person you were accountable to on the project). If, for some reason, you are unable to acquire an Owner reference, an explanation is required. In these approved cases (not common), the letter of reference may come from:

    1. Company Executive (the person you were accountable to on the project).

    2. Other person at top level of the project that can verify your experience.

    The purpose of the reference letter is to verify your experience on the project. Make sure that your references submit enough information for the Board to be able to make this determination.

     
     
    There is a required form for the reference letter. Upon receiving an application, all references will be contacted by CMCI and given a form to complete. Reference letters must be returned to CMCI in signed and sealed envelopes and must come directly from the reference.
     
     
    You need to document 48 months of responsible-in-charge experience as a CM. Only 48 months is required—more is not necessarily better. We understand that because project duration may vary, cumulatively your projects may go beyond the requirement. That’s ok; but please do not deliberately send in separate projects beyond 48 months--it only slows the process down. Send in your most recent and exemplary projects and those for which it is easiest to find your references. If your projects overlap, send in a letter explaining the overlap and do not double count the months. The project documentation is the most critical part of the application, so be sure to follow the directions very carefully. There is a required format for the project documentation.
     
     
    With precision and detail. The Board needs to see enough description to properly evaluate your knowledge and experience on the project. Expect to write 2-4 pages per project. This is the most frequent reason why applicants are not approved—the Board could not make a determination based on the information submitted.

    The format in the application is required.

     
     
    Yes, but you cannot double count the months.
     
     
    It represents the minimum qualifying experience to submit an application to become certified. CMAA has defined 6 functions/roles of a CM during 5 project phases (reference Standard CM Services and Practice). Of the 30 possible experience areas, 15 are required as shown by the boxes. These 15 required areas are spread throughout the matrix and represent the minimum qualifying experience for the 48-month CM experience. In order to enroll in the program, the applicant must have experience in these 15 areas.
     
     
    No. The 48 months experience is cumulative for all areas. In other words, during the 48 month’s worth of projects that you are submitting, you must have had experience in the minimum qualifying areas.
     
     
    This is the minimum acceptable time as a practicing CM to be eligible for the program. It must be in the various phases of the project and entail the functions/roles of the CM. All applicants must have this experience as a responsible-in-charge CM.
     
     
    Do not submit an application.  Wait until you have gained the experience.
     
     
    Make sure that you have understood the requirements of that experience.  Look over the section in your application materials that discusses the Standard CM Services and Practice.  Also understand that the 48 months experience is cumulative for all areas; it is not required for each area.
     
     
    Primarily, responsible-in-charge as a CM acting in the interests of the owner.  The Board of Governors further defines it as follows: The candidate must be both knowledgeable and experienced in these CM functional areas: project management, cost management, time management, quality management, project/contract management and project safety programs.  The candidate's experience must include all phases of a project or building program, specifically pre-design, design, procurement, construction and post-construction.
     
     
    The Board of Governors has defined responsible-in-charge as follows:  The candidate's experience must be realized during project execution as part of a project delivery team.  The candidate must have had sufficient accountability to assure direct responsibility for the supervision of the construction management staff, for project decision making, the delivery of construction management services and communication with and coordination of the other project participants, specifically owners, design professionals, consultants, suppliers, vendors and contractors.
     
     
    Degrees in Construction Management, Construction Science, Architecture or Engineering.  4-year (BA/BS) or graduate degrees (MA/MS) subsititute for the 8 years general construction/design experience.  Undergrad 2-year degrees (AA) substitute for 4 year general construction/design experience. 
     
    The educational degrees must be accredited through either ACCE (American Council for Construction Education), ABET (Accredidation Board for Engineering and Technology) or NAAB (National Architecture Accrediting Board).
     
     
    Since the degree is a substitute for the 8 years of general construction/design experience, it must be in construction management, construction science, architecture or engineering.  If you don't have one of these degrees, you will need to have the 8 years general construction/design experience.  This requirement is in addition to the 48-month responsible in charge CM experience.
     
     
    Yes.  There is a $75 annual maintenance fee and there are renewal requirements.  Certification is an on-going commitment that actually begins with becoming certified.  After re-certifying at the initial 5-year period, CCM's are required to renew their certification every 3 years.  You may wish to refer to the renewal section on the website.
     
     
    The fees are as follows:  Application is $275, the Exam is $275, Exam re-takes are $100, and there is a $75 annual maintenance fee once you become a CCM.  All fees are non-refundable.
     
     
    The Capstone is designed to add essential elements to the CM Body of Knowledge that may not have been obtained from formal training or required experience.
     
     
    The exam is offered monthly at various locations.
     
     
    The best way to prepare for the exam is to purchase the Standards of Practice Study Kit.  CMCI recommends CMAA publications in addition to those listed in the CM Core Competencies.  The core competencies list resouces that are available to assist you in your studies.  Another great resource is the Study Guide.  It has everything you need to know about the exam itself.  Covered areas include: exam length and number of questions, strategies for preparing for the exam, exam content outlines, sample questions and resources. 
     
     
    The exam has 200 multiple choice questions.  It is 6 hours long and is given in a 3-hour morning session and a 3-hour afternoon session. 
     
     
    No, but the study guide does contain sample questions.
     
     
    You may take the exam up to three times.  The exam is based on an overall passing score.  If you do not pass the exam, you must retake the entire CCM exam again.
     
     
    The exam tests general knowledge of construction management.  Material is based on the Construction Manager Body of Knowledge and is taken from the following sources: Project experience, Standard CM Services and Practice, and the Capstone.
     
     
    Certification is an on-going, lifelong commitment that actually begins with becoming certified.  CCMs must obtain re-certification points to maintain the CCM designation.  After an initial five-year period, CCMs are required to re-certify every three years by submitting points in three key areas: involvement/commitment to the profession, contribution to the profession, and professional development.
     
     
     
    CMAA Foundation
     
    Scholarships may be awarded by the CMAA Foundation to full-time college and university students enrolled in four-year degree programs in construction management or related disciplines.  Candidates must have completed a minimum of one full academic year, and have a minimum of one full year remaining in their course of study.  Scholarships awarded are for the duration of one year.