ICMA's Voluntary Credentialing Program

The ICMA Voluntary Credentialing Program is a means of defining and recognizing an individual ICMA member who is a professional local government manager qualified by a combination of education and experience, adherence to high standards of integrity, and an assessed commitment to lifelong learning and professional development. Managers are recognized by ICMA through a peer review credentialing process, and this self-directed program offers an opportunity for interested ICMA members to quantify the unique expertise they bring to their communities. The program also assists ICMA members in focusing and reflecting upon their lifelong professional development experience. Members who participate in the program may earn the designation of ICMA Credentialed Manager granted by the ICMA Executive Board. ICMA Credentialed Managers are viewed with growing distinction by local governing bodies and progressive, civically engaged communities. There are currently 1,130 ICMA Credentialed Managers and 30 ICMA Credentialed Manager Candidates.

 

What Are the Benefits?

 

  • Recognition as a professional local government manager
  • Quantification of the unique expertise you offer
  • Demonstration of adherence to high standards of integrity
  • Demonstration of commitment to lifelong learning
  • Structured and focused professional development plan
  • Peer review of professional development activities and learning
  • Eligibility for Legacy Leaders Program
  • Access to special workshops and other training for ICMA Credentialed Managers and Candidates, such as the ICMA Gettysburg and ICMA SEI Leadership Institutes

All of us know the importance of continuous learning.  ICMA's Credentialing Program gives us an easy way to focus and structure that learning, as well as become involved in coaching younger managers.  As members of ICMA, we are already required by Tenet 8 of the Code of Ethics to commit to at least 40 hours of professional development every year.  This program encourages you to reflect on your learning, and receive feedback and recognition.  Please consider beginning the process today and join your colleagues who are already credentialed.

What Are the Steps Involved in the Credentialing Process?

 

Managers often ask whether they can make the time to become credentialed.  The application process does not take a lot of time.  Applying is quite easy, yet the benefits of the program itself are immeasurable.  There are three simple steps:

 

What Are the Application Deadlines and Fees?

 

  • January 1
  • April 1
  • July 1
  • October 1

In addition to the $75 cost of the Applied Knowledge Assessment, the online application fee is $50. The fee for filing a paper application is $100.

What Happens After I Apply?

 

  • For applications that are made by October 1, the Credentialing Advisory Board will review no later than November 15, 2009
  • Recommended names will be printed in the newsletter for member review no later than November 30, 2009
  • Approval will be granted by the ICMA executive board in late December or early January
  • Notification will be sent via email no later than January 15, 2010
  • Online annual update will be due every year after the credential is received--be prepared to report on what you learned and what difference it made
  • Within 5 years of being credentialed, complete the ICMA Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) or an alternative multi-rater assessment.  This assessment must be completed at least once during each five-year period; if you cannot complete a multi-rater assessment due to a political situation, please email credentialing@icma.org so the Credentialing Advisory Board can help you devise another method of external feedback
  • Click here for a full page of credentialing resources, including frequently asked questions about the multi-rater assessment requirement, a PBA PowerPoint, and a PBA preview

Title: What Is the Credential Called?

ICMA-CM or ICMA Credentialed Manager. Initials or title can be used after the name on letterhead, business cards, or other professional documents.

How Are ICMA Credentialed Managers Recognized?

Members receive certificates by mail upon request.  If you are interested, please email credentialing@icma.org).  Credentialed Managers also receive lapel pins at state meetings or the ICMA Annual Conference. ICMA-CMs who are unable to attend their state meeting or the annual conference can request that a lapel pin be mailed by emailing credentialing@icma.org. ICMA-CMs and Candidates are also invited to a special reception at the annual conference, and are invited to attend special sessions and seminars during the conference and throughout the year.  The online Who's Who record also indicates whether a member is an ICMA Credentialed Manager and the full list of Credentialed Managers and Candidates by state can be found at http://icma.org/credentialed.

What Happens After I Retire?

Retired members who no longer wish to submit annual updates in order to remain actively credentialed may be eligible for the Retired Credentialed Manager designation.  Retired Credentialed Managers must be currently credentialed, have been ICMA Corporate Members (or eligible to be Corporate) for at least 10 years, and have submitted at least one annual update in the past.  Please email credentialing@icma.org to find out whether you are eligible.

Questions?

Please contact Amanda Relyea at credentialing@icma.org.


Downloads
  Eligibility (Microsoft Word Document, 35 KB)