Submitted by John McKeon
The Certified Construction Manager (CCM) program administered by the Construction Manager Certification Institute (CMCI) has become the first professional credential program in the construction industry to be accredited by the American National Standards Institute under the ANSI/ISO/IEC 17024 Personnel Certification Accreditation Program.
CMCI is a wholly owned subsidiary of the 3,500-member Construction Management Association of America. CMAA’s executive director, Bruce D’Agostino, says the ANSI action “not only verifies that the CCM program is managed soundly and conducted according to ANSI’s standards of openness, fairness, and comprehensiveness, but it also reinforces the need for a professional credential in construction management. It says to the entire industry, in effect: ‘We need a way of identifying the best practitioners, and CCM is it.’”
D’Agostino also reports that some 700 individuals currently hold the CCM credential, and another 350 are in the process of pursuing it. As recently as 2001, the total number of CCMs was only 155.
One reason for the dramatic growth of interest in the CCM is the widespread recognition the certification is receiving from major construction owners. Such agencies as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Baltimore District), the General Services Administration, New York City Transit, and numerous large private sector builders and developers are actively encouraging the involvement of CCMs in their projects.
For example, participation by CCMs is often identified in RFPs as a desirable bid element.
CCM is a difficult credential to earn, notes D’Agostino. A summary of requirements and procedures is available at www.cmcertification.org. Basic requirements for the CCM include a combination of relevant education and hands-on construction management experience, including 48 months of “responsible in-charge” management of projects in the field.
In addition, candidates must pass an examination.
ANSI is a private, nonprofit organization which, under the international Personnel Certification Accreditation Program standard, accredits organizations that serve as third-party product, system, and personnel certifiers. ANSI’s accreditation is both an international and U.S. accreditation: it is based on an international standard, but implemented by ANSI to be recognized in the U.S. and by other countries that enter into an arrangement with ANSI.
The ANSI recognition will:
Construction Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers