Eligibility Requirements

Step 1: Review candidate eligibility requirements and fees.

The CFM is a competency-based certification. Candidates must first meet the education and experience requirements outlined in the box below. Once the application is accepted, the candidate must pass an exam.

Candidates must fall into one of the following education or work experience categories:

Education	Number/years of FM experience WITH the FMP	Number/years of FM experience WITHOUT the FMP
Facility Management Master’s Degree or Bachelor’s Degree from an IFMA Recognized Degree Program	3 years	3 years
Related Bachelor’s Degree*	3 years	4 years
Non-related Bachelor’s Degree or Associate Degree	4 years	5 years
Some Post-secondary Education	5 years	8 years

* Related degrees include, but are not limited to: facility management, business, architecture, interior design, building construction, construction management, engineering and property management.

Successful candidates will also have experience in the following competency areas. These nine areas have been identified as the core areas of skills and knowledge necessary for a successful facility manager.

Planning and Project Management
Operations and Maintenance
Real Estate
Quality Assessment and Innovation
Leadership and Management
Human and Environmental Factors
Finance
Communication
Technology

Ideally, candidates should have experience in all nine areas; however, it is possible for a candidate to have experience in most competency areas, minimal exposure to others and still pass the exam.

Application Fees: US $550 Member / US $815 Nonmember
Application fees are not refundable unless the application is denied.

Step 2: Submit application.

Step 3: Schedule and pass exam.

Within several days of submission, candidates are e-mailed information on how to contact Prometric, the IFMA testing provider, to register for their exam. Candidates must take the exam within three months of acceptance.

Step 4: You’re a CFM!

Once you receive your official notification you may begin using the CFM after your name. You will also receive a certificate, lapel pin and press release in your welcome packet.