Certified Facility Manager (CFM)

Course details

The most respected global credential in facility management

The Certified Facility Manager® (CFM) credential sets the industry standard for ensuring the knowledge and abilities of practicing facility managers.

Now more than ever, recognizing competency, establishing benchmarks and setting performance standards are vital to the global economy. Never before have public and private sector employers relied as much on certification organizations as they do today.

Professional associations are now taking a lead role in the development of credentialing programs, and IFMA's CFM program was the first, and is still the only globally recognized, certification in facility management.

IFMA's certification process is designed to assess competency in the field through work experience, education and the ability to pass a comprehensive exam. Since the program began in 1992, more than 3,100 facility managers from 32 countries have achieved this prestigious recognition.

Competency-based

The CFM Exam is competency-based, testing what a person can do compared to standards that define the practice of facility management. One cannot take a course or a simple knowledge-based exam to earn the credential. IFMA's competency-based program is at a higher level than a knowledge-based program, reflecting the growing importance of facility management in the international business world.

Recognized globally

In addition, the CFM is the only global facility management certification available. Goals of IFMA's certification program:

• Assure professional excellence 
  
• Establish standards for global professional practice 
  
• Promote the added value of the profession 
  
• Influence the future direction of the profession
  

WHO SHOULD ENROL FOR THE PROGRAMME

You do not have to be a member of IFMA to take advantage of the program, nor do you automatically become an IFMA member upon receiving your designation.

All facility management practitioners who meet the requirements are encouraged to apply. Individuals who work in related fields (architecture, interior design, etc.) and meet the requirements also may qualify to take the exam.

SYLLABUS

Operations and Maintenance

• Competency 1: Oversee acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance and disposition of building systems. 
  
• Competency 2: Manage the maintenance of building structures and permanent interiors 
  
• Competency 3: Oversee acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance and disposal of furniture and equipment.  
  
• Competency 4: Oversee acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance and disposition of grounds and exterior elements. 

Real Estate

• Competency 1 Manage and implement the real estate master planning process. 
  
• Competency 2 Manage real estate assets 

Human and Environmental Factors

• Competency 1 Develop and implement practices that promote and protect health, safety, security, the quality of work life, the environment and organizational effectiveness. 
  
• Competency 2 Develop and manage emergency preparedness procedures. 
  

Planning and Project Management

• Competency 1 Develop facility plans 
  
• Competency 2 Plan and manage all phases of projects  
  
• Competency 3 Manage programming and design 
  
• Competency 4 Manage construction and relocations 
  

Leadership and Management

• Competency 1 Plan and organize the facility function 
  
• Competency 2 Manage personnel assigned to the facility function 
  
• Competency 3 Administer the facility function 
  
• Competency 4 Manage the delivery of facility services 
  

Finance

• Competency 1 Manage the finances of the facility function. 
  

Quality Assessment and Innovation

• Competency 1 Manage the process of assessing the quality of services and the facility's effectiveness 
  
• Competency 2 Manage the benchmarking process 
  
• Competency 3 Manage audit activities 
  
• Competency 4 Manage developmental efforts of facility services to make innovative improvements in facilities and facility services 
  

Communication

• Competency 1 Communicate effectively. 
  

Technology

• Competency 1 Plan, direct and manage facility management business and operational technologies. 
  
• Competencies 2 Plan, direct manage and/or support the organization's technological infrastructure. 
  

ASSESSMENT/CERTIFICATION/AWARDING BODY

All subjects are examined by Computer Based Assessment (CBA). The Certification body for the Certificate in Certified Facility Manager is the IFMA USA.

EXAMINATION 

The exam, which takes 4 hours to complete, consists of 180 multiple-choice questions delivered in random order. The test is strictly pass/fail based on the total number of correct answers. At the present time, the computerized exam is available in English only.

Approved candidates will be sent information about scheduling the exam at one of Prometric's testing centers in South Africa. Testing must occur within 90 days of candidate acceptance.