Big Improvements in Certification for

1

• Big Improvements in Certification for
• PY2002-2003!!!!!
• Chris Stiller
• NCMA Certifications Chair,
• Suncoast Chapter

2
Why are we changing our certification programs?

• NCMAs Board of Directors approved a by-laws
  change creating an administratively independent
  Contract Management Certification and
  Accreditation Board (CMCAB)

3
What is the CMCABs Charter?

• The CMCAB is charged with developing
  competency-based, psychometrically sound, legally
  defensible exams that are available on line and
  on demand which lead to nationally accredited
  certifications

4
Whats NEW?

• Certified Federal Contracts Manager - CFCM
• Certified Commercial Contracts Manager - CCCM
• Certified Professional Contracts Manager - CPCM

5
CFCM

• Replaces the CACM
• Objective-type exam
• Based on Body of Knowledge, not FAR
• Two modules, Federal and General Knowledge
• Available on-demand beginning Nov 02 (Projected)

6
Prerequisites

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
  college or university and the equivalent of 24
  semester hours of business-related courses
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in contract
  management or a related field
• A minimum of 120 classroom hours of specialized
  training in contract management or related
  subjects, 40 of which are specific to federal
  contracting

7
Waivers

• Applicants with 10 or more years of experience
  and management endorsement of their candidacy may
  request a waiver of the degree requirement. The
  National Functional Director for the CFCM exam
  will review requests for waivers on a
  case-by-case basis and has the final decision
  authority.

8
What about current CACMs?

• All CACMs officially become CFCMs beginning in
  September 2002 UNLESS THEY NOTIFY THE
  CERTIFICATION DEPARTMENT, IN WRITING, THAT THEY
  WANT TO REMAIN CACMS

9
Do I get a new certificate indicating I am a a
CFCM?

• If you want a new certificate (and its a
  beaut!!!) right away, there will be a small
  charge (29.50, plus 4.50 SH)
• If you want to wait until you recertify, you will
  receive the new CFCM certificate at no additional
  charge

10
Certified Commercial Contracts ManagerCCCM

• All new objective-type exam
• Two modules, Commercial and General Knowledge
• General Knowledge module available in Nov 02
• Commercial module scheduled for Mar 03

11
Prerequisites

• Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited
  college or university and the equivalent of 24
  semester hours of business-related courses
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in contract
  management or a related field
• A minimum of 120 classroom hours of specialized
  training in contract management or related
  subjects, 40 of which are specific to commercial
  contracting

12
Waivers

• Applicants with 10 or more years of experience
  and management endorsement of their candidacy may
  request a waiver of the degree requirement. The
  National Functional Director for the CCCM exam
  will review requests for waivers on a
  case-by-case basis and has the final decision
  authority.

13
Can I be grandfathered as a CCCM?

• No. Since NCMA has never offered a pure
  commercial certification, you will have to meet
  the prerequisites and take the exam to earn a CCCM

14
Certified Professional Contracts ManagerCPCM

• Exam is now objective-type
• Three modules Federal, General Knowledge,
  Commercial
• Federal, General Knowledge modules scheduled for
  availability beginning Nov 02
• Commercial module scheduled for availability
  beginning Mar 03

15
What about prerequisites?

• Certification as a CFCM and a CCCM
• Minimum of 5 years experience in contract
  management or related field
• 1-3 page self-authored Statement of
  Professional Qualifications
• Advanced degree in business, management, or a
  related field from a regionally-accredited
  college or university

16
Are there waiver provisions?YES!!

• Applicants who have a baccalaureate degree and a
  minimum of 10 years of experience may request a
  waiver of the advanced degree requirement. They
  must also submit a letter of endorsement from an
  appropriate level of management in their
  agency/company supporting their candidacy for the
  CPCM

17
What if Im already a CPCM ?

• CONGRATULATIONS!
• YOURE STILL A
• CPCM!!!!!!!!!!!!

18
What will these new certifications cost?

• The NCMA is working this issue. But,
• total cost, including NCMA fees, are likely to be
  higher than for current programs.

19
Initial Test Offerings will be part of the Beta
Test procedure

• Candidates for CFCM, CCCM, and CPCM will receive
  incentives (reduced fees) to participate
• Candidates may begin with modules released in
  Nov 02
• Results will be analyzed by our team of
  psychometricians from the University of Maryland
  (Please note that this means exam results will
  not be immediately available for this beta test)
• Process validates questions and establishes a
  cut score (passing grade)
• All successful candidates will be awarded the
  appropriate certification

20
Im interested, but why should I take the Beta
test no one has taken before?

• Be the first on your block to have the all-new
  certification!
• We will make it worth your while. NCMA will
  subsidize the cost of your certification in
  exchange for your preparation
• Your association needs you! The beta testing is
  an important step on our road to national
  accreditation

21
I have more questions. To whom do I address
them?

• Dr. Louise Wehrle, Director of Certification,
  1-800-344-8096, X 437
• Chuck Woodside, Chairman, CMCAB, 1-210-652-5636