Certification Program
In many professions, a successful career is marked by an appropriate degree of professional development, verified by a credible certification program and recognized by both the public and one's peers. The Certified Club Manager (CCM) designation has been the hallmark of professionalism in club management since 1965 and is the cornerstone of CMAA's member recognition program. It is a valuable and widely respected mark of a manager's commitment to professional development and the club industry.
As with its education programs, CMAA's recognition program is a dynamic, continuing process. It currently includes two levels of recertification: CMAA's prestigious Honor Society and the MCM (Master Club Manager) designation. Effective with the World Conference on Club Management in 2000, the voluntary recertification program was replaced by a Certification Maintenance Requirement (CMR). Under the revised program, CCMs have five years in which to attain specified certification credits for recertification. The entire program is under the jurisdiction of the CMAA Certification Committee with oversight provided by the Association's Board of Directors. It is the Committee's responsibility to consider suggestions from the members and to ensure that the certification program remains current in adapting to the ever-changing club management environment.
Your first step toward certification: Achieving Active Membership Status
- Conversion from Provisional to Active membership status requires CMAA Provisional membership for at least one year and attainment of 15 or more CMAA Education credits. These credits may be earned through attendance at chapter and World Conference educational programs, CMAA workshops and BMI courses.
- When both requirements have been met, a Provisional member will be automatically transferred to Active status, notified of the change and sent an updated membership card.
- While National Headquarters staff will make every effort to maintain an accurate record of each member's certification credits, it is the responsibility of the individual members to keep track of credits they have earned. Members should check with the Chapter Secretary and/or the National Headquarters to ensure that all credits earned are recorded. CMAA members who are ClubNet subscribers can review their credit histories online.
- In addition to being a prerequisite for certification, Active membership status also determines a member's eligibility to vote in CMAA elections at both the chapter and national levels and to hold elective office.
Requirements for Eligibility to Take the CCM Exam:
Education Credits
200 credits (a minimum of 100 must be from CMAA (CMI or chapter) education, at least 25 of which must be earned at the chapter or regional level) (see Note 1 below)
Association Activity Credits
50 credits (see Note 2)
Additional Credits
50 credits (education, activity or experience) (see Note 3)
Total Credits
300 credits
Eligibility requirements include completion of one of the following certification tracks:
Attainment of a four-year hospitality degree from a college/university (150 education credits)
* Attendance at one CMAA World Conference (with attendance at a minimum of four education sessions ¬ see Note 4)
* Active membership status in CMAA for a minimum of three years
* Successful completion of a minimum of two CMAA/CMI pre-approved workshops
* Successful completion of BMI III
OR
Attainment of a four-year non-hospitality degree from a college/university (90 education credits)
* Attendance at one CMAA World Conference (with attendance at a minimum of four education sessions ¬ see Note 4)
* Active membership status in CMAA for a minimum of four years
* Successful completion of a minimum of four CMAA/CMI pre-approved workshops
* Successful completion of BMI II and BMI III
OR
Less than a four-year degree or no degree attained
* Attendance at one CMAA World Conference (with attendance at a minimum of four education sessions ¬ see Note 4)
* Active membership status in CMAA for a minimum of five years
* Successful completion of a minimum of six CMAA/CMI pre-approved workshops
* Successful completion of BMI I, BMI II and BMI III (see Note 5)
NOTE 1: The 25 chapter/regional education credit requirement is waived for CMAA international members (those not residing within an established chapter area). Only CMI Education credits can be substituted.
NOTE 2: Chapter Education credits in excess of the 25 required can be used to satisfy the Association Activity requirement provided they are not needed to satisfy the 200 Education credit requirement.
NOTE 3: The accrual of credits for club management experience ended as of March 31, 1991. Experience credits earned prior to that date and submitted before December 31, 1991, count toward the 300 total credit requirement for certification as well as the requirements for recertification, Honor Society and the MCM designation. They do not count toward the Education or Association Activity credit requirements for certification.
NOTE 4: Assistant managers who have completed all other CCM eligibility requirements and have been unable to attend one CMAA World Conference will be permitted to substitute 50 or more additional CMAA education credits (CMI and/or Chapter) for attendance at a World Conference. Attendance at Assistant Club Manager Conferences or attendance at a World Conference as a student member does not satisfy the CMAA World Conference requirement.
NOTE 5: The BMI I requirement is waived for managers who have: earned an Associate degree in a hospitality course of study from an accredited college or university, successfully completed the Air Force Basic Club Managers Course or have completed the ClubCorp Star University program.