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Issue link: https://engineer.epubxp.com/i/145930
■ Communication. This includes communicating effec tively,whichArmyoffcersareexpectedtodoeveryday
through verbal and written skills.
■
Technology.Thisincludesplanning,directing,andmanaging facility management business and operational
technologies. An example would be using spreadsheet
softwaretomanagebarracksspaceutilization.
IFMAmembershipisnotrequiredtotakeadvantageof
the CFM program, and membership is not automatic once
certifcationisreceived.Thecertifcationprocessisassimple as assessing personal readiness, submitting an application, and then scheduling and passing the examination.
TheCFMapplicationincludesonlinedocumentationofpast
employers and supervisors, brief descriptions of major job
activitiesandresponsibilities,andeducationandcontinuing
education accomplishments. The application also includes
alistofreferencesandashortessayonwhytheapplicant
wants to become a CFM. The examination fee is $550 for
IFMAmembersand$815fornonmembers.
Methods of preparation for the CFM examination
include self-study or participation in a formal preparation
course. Self-study should include buying and studying the
IFMA-published CFM Examination Review Course Study
Set ($199 for members and $249 for nonmembers). This
alternativeislessexpensiveandoffersmorefexibility,but
lacks information on test-taking tactics, techniques, and
proceduresandmayofferalesscomprehensiveunderstandingofthematerial.Attendanceataformal2-daypreparation course offered by IFMA or its local chapters is highly
recommended.Thecost—$495forIFMAmembersand$695
for nonmembers—includes the CFM Examination Review
Course Study Set. Locations and dates of the course are
available at the IFMA Web site.10
TheCFMexaminationtakes4hourstocompleteandconsists of 180 multiple-choice questions delivered in random
order.Thetestispassorfail,basedonthenumberofcorrect
answers.Somequestions,however,willaskfortwoorthree
correctresponsestobeselected.Thesequestionswillclearly
state "choose two" or "choose three." Each question counts
asonerightoronewrong,regardlessofhowmanyoptions
mustbeselected.Tohaveaquestionmarkedascorrect,all
ofthecorrectoptionsmustbegiven;thereisnopartialscore.
The CFM certifcation is valid for 3 years. To maintain
thecertifcation,CFMsmustearn120maintenancepoints
in a minimum of two of the following four categories:
■ Practice.
■ Continuing education.
■ Professionaldevelopment.
■ Developmentoftheprofession.
Thesemaintenancepoints,however,areeasiertoobtain
thantheymightappear.Forexample,full-time,practicing
facility managers earn 20 points per year. Any unit commander can fall into this category. Seminar attendance earns
1pointforeachhourofinstruction.Attendanceatmonthly
May–August 2013
SocietyofAmericanMilitaryEngineerluncheonscanqualify,whileregularlyreadingprofessionallyrelevantpublications earns 10 points. Membership in facility management
professionalassociationsearns5pointsperyearperassociation,andIFMAandtheSocietyofAmericanMilitaryEngineersbothqualify.Workingasapresenterataworkshopor
publishinganarticlecanearn5and15points,respectively.
(Writingthisarticleearnedtheauthor15points.)
The CFM is an attainable certifcation that engineer
offcerscanpursue,obtain,andmaintain.Thecertifcation
process can help applicants personally and professionally
by allowing them to distinguish themselves, invest in their
futureasSoldiersorcivilians,demonstratetheirleadership
andinitiative,advancetheirprofession,andenhancetheir
professional networks. The certifcation process can also
helpoffcersingarrisonandcombatpostsbyhelpingthem
gainabetterunderstandingandcomprehensionofthenine
competencyareas.
Endnotes:
BrigadierGeneralPeterA.(Duke)DeLuca,e-mailmessage,14January2013.
1
2
TermsofReference,27October2010,