What is the CFM Certification Program?

Program Overview

The ASFPM national certified floodplain manager program was established in 1998 to create a baseline testing of professional competence in floodplain management. The program requires passing an exam and then continuing education credits annually to maintain certification. Recognizing training/continuing education/professional development is a keystone of the program, as the floodplain management program is continually evolving and the knowledge and performance of local, state, federal and private-sector floodplain management professionals is ever changing.

The role of the nation’s floodplain managers is expanding due to increases in disaster losses, the emphasis on mitigation to alleviate the cycle of damage-rebuild-damage, and a recognized need for professionals to adequately address these issues. This certification program lays the foundation for ensuring that highly qualified individuals are available to meet the challenge of breaking the damage/rebuild cycle on the nation’s human, financial and natural resources.

Six states who were instrumental in the development and promotion of the CFM program in the 1990’s, are in a long-standing partnership with ASFPM to administer the CFM program and maintenance in their states for those with residence in their states. These states are Arkansas, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas. They follow national guidelines and auditing standards, use the national CFM exam, and so a CFM from these accredited chapters are considered equal to a national certification in every way.


History of the Program 

In 1992, the chair of ASFPM’s Professional Development Committee, Jim Owen, conducted a survey of the Association of State Floodplain Managers membership to explore the interest and feasibility of a national floodplain manager certification program. Based on the favorable response to the survey, Owen submitted Jan. 13, 1993 a proposal to the ASFPM Board of Directors to initiate a certification program. A subcommittee was formed Oct. 31, 1993 to research existing floodplain management certification programs and certification programs of parallel organizations and disciplines. In July 1995, Owen, representing the California Floodplain Management Association, presented a proposal to the ASFPM board to join an inter-organizational board effort to establish a certification program. Although the board did not accept his proposal, the background information presented in Owen’s proposal was very informative. A formal ASFPM Certification Task Force was formed in 1995 to continue with certification program efforts. Initial discussions of the ASFPM board and task force identified the following topics for further clarification and description:

  • Goals
  • Levels and types of certification
  • Certification/recertification procedures
  • Continued education requirements
  • Testing
  • Training courses
  • Program expected expenses and income

The original intent of the Certified Floodplain Manager program was to provide a way to recognize the professionalism of floodplain management activities, and provide a process that those professionals were required to obtain through continuing education credits to keep abreast of changes in federal and state regulations, legislative requirements and have an awareness not only of the National Flood Insurance Program, but of comprehensive floodplain management.

Click here to learn more about the history of the program.


Accredited Chapter CFM Programs

By agreement with ASFPM, the following six states have a chapter accredited to administer and manage the national exam and program directly. Generally the national certification will be administered by ASFPM, based on your permanent home address, unless you reside in one of the six accredited chapter states, at which point you must go through the chapter program. Chapters that are accredited by ASFPM are entitled to use “ASFPM accredited” on any program documents including certificates. States with an ASFPM accredited CFM® Program may impose conditions for certification above and beyond those set by ASFPM. A reciprocity policy has been established for CFMs moving their permanent home address to another state.

ASFPM accredited chapter certification programs:


Certification Mark

CFM® is a certification mark and may only be used by individuals certified and in good standing under the ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager program. 

CFM® is a registered trademark of the ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager program and may only be used by Nationally Accredited Certified Floodplain Managers.

Use of CFM Logo & Acronym: 

Unauthorized and unlicensed use of the CFM logo and acronym is strictly prohibited.

ACCEPTABLE USE:

  • CFMs in good standing who pass the CFM Exam and maintain their certification are provided a limited license to use the letters designating “CFM” after their name, but use of the CFM logo is not permitted. When including the “CFM”acronym after your name as a Certified Floodplain Manager, do not include the “®” symbol.
  • The “®” symbol should only be used when referring to the CFM Certification Program/Exam/Logo. It should not be used when referring to individual(s) who are Certified Floodplain Manager(s). For documents where the “®” symbol would appear repeatedly, use the “®” symbol in the first initial reference; the remaining instances should be without the symbol.
  • ASFPM Accredited Chapter CFM Certification Programs in good standing may use the CFM Certification logo and acronym to describe and promote their accredited chapter certification programs.

UNACCEPTABLE USE:

  • The ASFPM acronym or logo may not be used on certificates of attendance, emails, web postings, social media, course materials, advertisements or any materials other than for training offered and hosted by ASFPM.
  • Training providers may not advertise or promote their training as approved/endorsed by ASFPM unless the training is offered and hosted by ASFPM.
  • CFM acronym or logo may not be used on certificates of attendance, emails, web postings, social media, course materials, advertisements or any materials other than for training offered and hosted by ASFPM, or by one of ASFPM’s licensed Accredited Chapter CFM Certification Programs in accordance with their license.
  • Training providers may not advertise or promote their training as being preparation for the CFM Exam.
  • No corporation, agency, organization or other entity may use “CFM” or CFM logo to describe their program or organization. The “CFM” designation is limited to use by individual CFMs in good standing.

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