Certification Process
A Certification Process Carefully Refined and Simplified
Our Four-Step Certification Process
ICPM’s management certification process can be simplified into four simple steps:Â
Step 1
Eligibility and Application
Step 2
Education and Training
Step 3
Exams and Proctoring
Step 4
Recertification and
Life-Long Learning
Step 1
Eligibility and Application
Eligibility
Regardless of what certification you are interested in, the certification process at ICPM begins with determining your eligibility to pursue your desired certification.
Both the Certified Supervisor (CS) and the Certified Manager (CM) certification have eligibility requirements. Applicants should verify the eligibility requirements on the respective certification pages prior to applying (CM here, CS here).
Application
All applicants are required to complete our certification applications. The application is simple, and normally takes less than 3 minutes to complete. In order to meet eligibility requirements, applicants are asked to upload verifying documentation during or immediately following the completion of the application.
All applications are reviewed by a member of the ICPM team, and application approval or denial notifications are normally provided within 24 to 48 hours (not including weekends or holidays).
Step 2
Education and Training
Education
Applicants interested in the CS or CM certification have the option of purchasing access to ICPM’s educational materials, which have proven useful in preparing for the certification exams. ICPM’s educational materials include:
- Printed Textbooks
- Online notes
- PowerPoint presentations
- Quizzes
Note: ICPM’s educational materials are optional, and are not required in order to attempt the certification exams.
Training
ICPM has an extensive network of training partners across the globe, which offer both live-online and classroom training. Our training partners are carefully vetted to ensure they meet our standards for management certification training and exam preparation.
For applicants that prefer a structured classroom/online training to ICPM’s standard self-study option, a training partner can be an excellent resource. Take a look at ICPM’s full list of Instructional Training Partners here.
Step 3
Exams and Proctoring
Exams
Preparing for, attempting and passing your certification exams, is a key component in the certification process. All certification exams are administered entirely online, and are in multiple-choice format. Some key things to remember when preparing for your certification exams:
- Certification exams may be taken at anytime, but must be completed prior to the certification expiration date (CS = 12 months, CM = 15 months)
- Practice exams are unlimited and are an excellent way to prepare
- Notes, textbooks or outside study materials are not allowed during examination
- Applicants may retake failed exams for a $50 fee
Proctoring
All ICPM exams must be proctored. ICPM is currently partnered with an online proctoring provider that allows applicants to take their certification exams from anywhere and at anytime with a standard microphone, webcam, and an internet connection.
Applicants also have the option of choosing their own live in-person proctor. However in-person proctors are subject to ICPM’s proctoring requirements. If interested in using an in-person proctor please download and complete the proctor application form here, or contact ICPM at support@mail.ICPM.net for more information.
Step 4
Recertification and
Life-Long Learning
Recertification
Both the Certified Supervisor and the Certified Manager certification require recipients to pay a yearly recertification fee, which is crucial in ensuring you maintain your credential.
ICPM offers discounts for paying recertification fees in advance for two or three year increments. Take some time to learn more about the recertification process here.
Life-Long Learning
Recertification is also achieved through the process of life-long learning or the earning of professional development units (PDU’s) every three years. Management is a constantly evolving profession, and it is important for certified supervisors/managers to continue the learning process.
Professional development units may be earned in many different ways. ICPM encourages both CS and CM recipients to participate in a variety of different activities to earn their required PDU’s. Take some time to review the allowed professional development activities here.