Construction Education

Developing and maintaining a project manager certification program is an ambitious and costly undertaking for any association. APM has studied certification for several years and formed a standing committee in 1998. A survey of APM members was conducted during the summer of 1998 to determine attitudes toward PM certification; obtain opinions on the program's possible structure, cost and format; and to solicit comments on certification in general. As a result of these efforts, the APM Project Manager Certification Program was established. The standing committee will continuously monitor the program and make revisions as necessary.

The APM Project Manager Certification Program is targeted toward engineers, architects, facilities managers, owner's staff, construction managers, design/builders and all others acting as project managers in the construction industry.

BENEFITS OF CERTIFICATION

What are the benefits of certification to construction industry project managers? To their employers?

For project managers, there are many benefits to obtaining certification. It provides recognition of a higher level of achievement in PM's chosen field while recognizing their proficiency in construction industry project management. Certification enhances a project manager's opportunity for advancement within their current organization and within the construction industry. Certification becomes a benchmark by which those within an organization can measure themselves. Economic opportunities may be enhanced as a result of achieving certification.

For employers, having their project managers obtain certification can be of great importance. Certification can reassure employers of a superior level of performance on the part of current project managers or new hires. Certified project managers can assist design firms and contractors in their marketing by highlighting the higher level of achievement and performance reached by their PM's. Seeking certification encourages existing project managers to strive for this higher level of achievement and performance and encourages continuous improvement.

When you become a Certified Project Manager, you will receive a letter from APM congratulating you on your achievement; a wall certificate suitable for framing; the recognition of your peers, employer and clients; and the right to call yourself a Certified Project Manager (CPM). You will also receive information on meeting your biennial continuing education requirement to maintain your hard earned certification.

ASSOCIATION FOR PROJECT MANAGERS

No certification program can test for in-depth knowledge in all project management topics. Our goal is to insure a higher than average level of accomplishment, encourage further growth of the individual and engender a specific expertise. The APM certification program includes the following components:

1. An essay of at least 2500 words on a specific project management topic must be prepared by all applicants. If possible, this essay should cover some aspect of a project manager's primary responsibility to manage the scope, schedule and budget of a construction project. However, other topics may be acceptable. Footnotes and a bibliography are required. The purpose of the essay is to examine a project manager's ability to communicate information to others, evaluate their research ability and to foster in-depth learning on a specific topic. Exceptional essays will be reprinted in the APM quarterly journal The Project Manager thus providing additional recognition for select project managers. A committee of several highly qualified individuals will evaluate each essay.

2. A two-year continuing education requirement has been established. APM does not intend to evaluate individual courses or learning activities to determine their appropriateness for meeting this requirement. However, to ensure that the continuing education activity has value, a written report from the certified PM will be required providing information on what they learned from the activity, why they undertook the activity and other relevant material. Twenty hours of continuing education has been established as a minimum requirement during each two-year period. Activities may include in-house programs, college courses, professional seminars and workshops, video tapes, and a wide variety of other resources.

3. A detailed application is required. This application requires information on specific project management accomplishments and specific projects they have managed. An applicant will have one year from the date the application is received by APM to complete all parts of the certification process. Failure to meet this deadline will require refilling, paying all fees and beginning the process again.

4. Written references, provided confidentially, are required. These references must tee sent directly to APM and will not be accepted from the applicant. Each reference must provide information on the applicant's accomplishments and performance.

5. Minimum levels of professional and project management experience have been established. The Committee has established a 10-year construction industry and a 5-year project management experience level requirement before an applicant may seek certification. The 10-year and 5-year periods may be concurrent.

6. An initial fee of $175 has been established for those seeking certification. This non-refundable fee must be submitted at the time of application. A biennial renewal fee of $100 has been established to maintain certification. Applicants failing to obtain certification may resubmit one additional time without incurring a new application fee of $175. APM members receive a $25 discount off application fees. Non members receive a one-year APM membership upon successfully completing the certification process.

7. All decisions of the APM Certification Committee and reviewers are final.

8. All APM Project Manager Certification Program materials are available on the APM website at:

Download - the Guide to Preparation for The Project Manager Certification Program

Any questions regarding the APM Project Manager Certification Program should be directed to Howard Birnberg, Executive Director, at (773) 472-1777; fax: (773) 525-0444; email: assocpm@ix.netcom.com; or visit the APM website at www.constructioneducation.com

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