If eligible to sit for the CCM exam, there is a $200 exam fee. This exam fee is the same for both proctored exams taking throughout the year and sitting for the exam following the Joe Perdue Certification Review Course. Candidates needing to retake the exam will be charged $150 for each retest.
Certified Club Manager (CCM)
CMAA offers the Certified Club Manager (CCM), a professional certification recognizing the unique skills and special knowledge required of today’s club manager. Since the program’s launch in 1965, it has opened countless doors of opportunity for managers as it communicates their knowledge and ability to serve as a key player in a club’s success. Candidates who have earned the designation have completed a program enriched with education experience, applicable knowledge, and business tools that can deliver a positive impact.
Whether you are seeking a promotion, exploring a position outside of your current club, or simply pursuing professional development opportunities to help you tackle increasingly complex responsibilities while preparing for future challenges, the CCM designation can.
- Help you gain credibility and respect in the field.
- Enhance your skills and knowledge.
- Demonstrate your commitment to the profession.
Eligibility Requirements
The following are requirements for eligibility to take the CCM exam:
- 300 Credits (see below for breakdown and notes)
- Professional membership status in CMAA for a minimum of six years
- Attendance at one CMAA World Conference (with attendance at a minimum of four education sessions – see Note 1)
- Successful completion of two CMAA/CMI pre-approved workshops
- Successful completion of BMI Club Management, BMI Leadership Principles, BMI General Manager/Chief Operating Officer and BMI Golf Management, BMI Food & Beverage Management, or BMI Sports & Recreation Management. The BMI Courses do not need to be taken in any particular order.
Earn credits as follows:
| Education Credits | 200 credits (a minimum of 100 must be from CMAA [CMI or chapter] education, at least 25 of which must be earned at the chapter level) (see Note 2) |
| Association Activity Credits |
50 credits (see Note 3) |
| Additional Credits | 50 credits (Education, Associate Activity or Experience) (see Note 4) |
| Total Credits | 300 credits |
NOTE 1: Managers can attend BMI Golf Management, BMI Sports and Recreation Management or BMI Food and Beverage Management to meet the elective requirement in order to sit for the CCM Exam.
NOTE 2: The 25 chapter Education Credit requirement is waived for CMAA international members (those not residing within an established chapter area). Only CMI Education credits may be substituted.
NOTE 3: Chapter Education Credits in excess of the 25 required may be used to satisfy the Association Activity requirement provided they are not needed to satisfy the 200 Education credit requirement.
NOTE 4: The accrual of credits for club management experience ended as of March 31, 1991. Experience Credits earned prior to that date and submitted before December 31, 1991, count toward the 300 total credit requirement for certification as well as the requirements for Honor Society and the MCM designation. They do not count toward the Education or Association Activity Credit requirements for certification
The CCM Exam
Once you have completed the eligibility requirements, you are ready to prepare and sit for the CCM exam.
To become a CCM you must pass the exam. To pass the exam, candidates must have an overall score of 70% or higher and a score of 50% or higher for each of the ten parts of the exam. The National Office will contact you with the results of your exam.
The CCM exam is offered on specific dates through the use of a proctor at a college/university testing center or following the Joe Perdue Certification Review Course.
CCM candidates who wish to take the CCM exam at a local college or university should make the initial arrangements for a proctor at any college or university convenient to their home or club. Most schools have a testing center or an office of continuing education at which the exam can be administered. Visit the National College Testing Association website to locate a testing center near you.
There are two basic methods for preparing for the CCM exam; self-study or attending the Joe Perdue Certification Review Course.
In preparing for the exam using the self-study method, you should use the 3rd Edition of Contemporary Club Management. The text is available online on CMAA Connect (login required.) You should also study from your notes taken during the BMIs. Be sure to concentrate on the areas that are personally your weakest.
The Joe Perdue Certification Review Course is offered bi-annually every April and November. This course is held at Georgia State University in Atlanta.
The exam is computer-based exam. It consists of 400 multi-choice questions covering each competency area.
Apply for the CCM Designation
There are three steps to the application process:
- Complete and submit the Certification Petition. An invoice for the non-refundable petition fee of $100 should be posted in your My CMAA account for payment.
- Once received by the CMAA National Office staff, the Certification Petition will be reviewed to ensure the form has been completed. The applicant’s credit history will be reviewed to show evidence that the eligibility requirements have been met.
- The applicant will be notified via email if he/she has met the eligibility requirements to sit for the CCM exam. If approved, the applicant will be notified via email with information on how to proceed with purchasing and scheduling the exam. If the applicant is not approved to sit for the exam, he/she will be notified via email with information on which requirements have not been met at this time.
Maintaining the CCM Designation
A Certification Maintenance Requirement (CMR) ensures that managers continue to enhance their professional development. The Certification Maintenance Requirement (CMR) requires all Certified Club Managers (except those in Retired member status) to obtain 120 education credits within the five-year certification period. A minimum of 60 of the education credits must be from CMAA education (CMI and/or chapter education credits). CCMs meeting the CMR will maintain the designation for another five-year period. Should a CCM fail to meet the CMR, he/she will be in jeopardy of losing the CCM designation.
Any CCM that loses the CCM designation will need to sit for the CCM exam to earn the designation.