Prepare for CFM exam through the GI Bill
Gain the confidence and resources you need to earn a prestigious facility management (FM) certification and validate your FM skills to the Army and the world.
Are you eligible to take the CFM exam?
There's no training required to take the Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®) exam. Your exam eligibility is determined through your number of years working in FM.
Needed: Bachelors or Masters in FM
You're eligible to apply! Start your application at IFMA.org. Email credentials@ifma.org with application questions.
Not eligible yet? No worries. Find your ideal FM training with our 2-minute quiz.
All about the CFM
Demonstrate your ability to lead in FM
The Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®) certification demonstrates your mastery of the FM body of knowledge.
Earning the designation marks a well-rounded, experienced FM qualified to operate and maintain facilities in any industry, anywhere.
The CFM is a globally recognized pinnacle FM achievement that showcases your mastery to both the Army and the private sector.
- No training or coursework required
- Proctored exam
- 180 questions
- 4 hours
Once you earn your CFM, you'll renew every 3 years using approved maintenance activities that directly contribute to your professional development.
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Are you ready to apply?
Some exam applicants have enough experience and knowledge to test immediately, while others need a review of some or all of the 11 core competencies.
STEP 1: Assess your CFM exam readiness with these resources:
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STEP 2: Apply for the exam or plan to prep so you can confidently test later.
After your CFM exam application is approved, you will have a 90-day window to schedule and complete the exam. However, if you fail to take the test within this timeframe, you will need to request an extension through IFMA. Therefore, it is crucial to have confidence in your readiness to test before submitting your application.
I am ready to apply for the CFM exam
I need more time before applying
STEP 3: If you're not ready to apply, choose courses for study.
4 foundational core competencies of FM
These four topics form the foundation of FM knowledge and are deemed most critical to FM success, according to our international research.
These courses include:
- eLearning
- Comprehension checks
- Chapter quizzes
- Case Studies
- Flashcards
- Final assessment
Those who hold IFMA's Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential have a strong understanding of these core competencies.
IFMA's Finance & Business Course
After you complete this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the foundational principles of managing finance and business in the facility organization.
- Manage facility organization's daily finances by understanding key budgeting elements.
- Identify cost concepts, containment opportunities, and chargebacks in facility management.
- Develop business cases that are supported by relevant documentation and financial data.
- Execute procurement and chargeback procedures for the facility organization.
- Manage and oversee contracts within the FM organization.
IFMA's Operations & Maintenance Course
After you complete this course, you will be able to:
- Identify the role of operations and maintenance in FM.
- Identify deficiencies in building structures, exteriors, systems, interiors, grounds, and associated health, safety, security, and environmental considerations.
- Outline asset acquisition, installation, maintenance, operation, and replacement in FM.
- Outline the process for determining and monitoring occupant service performance expectations.
- Outline the processes for developing occupant service specifications, selecting service providers, negotiating service level agreements, and resolving contract disputes.
IFMA's Project Management Course
After you complete this course, you will be able to:
- Describe the common projects in FM, the role of the facility manager and project manager in projects and the different project management processes and models.
- Explain the inputs, processes and outputs related to:
- The Initiate phase of a project.
- The Plan phase of a project.
- Acquiring a team and resources and executing and controlling a project.
- Accepting deliverables, closing contracts and the project and evaluating outcomes.
IFMA's Leadership & Strategy Course
After you complete this course, you will be able to:
- Apply the appropriate tools and requirements to complete the inputs, processes and outputs in creating a strategic plan.
- Apply leadership theories, change management and communication planning to the FM role.
- Apply leadership best practices when managing people within the FM organization.
- Manage compliance with organizational policies and procedures through facility management leadership.
7 core competency courses
If you already have a strong foundation in the 4 core competencies mentioned above, these 7 remaining areas are where you'll need to focus before the exam.
These courses include:
- eLearning
- Comprehension checks
- Chapter quizzes
- Case Studies
- Flashcards
- Final assessment
IFMA's Real Estate Course
Gain a comprehensive understanding of real estate principles and practices and their pivotal role in achieving your core business strategy. This program empowers participants to:
- Develop and execute a robust real estate strategy that aligns seamlessly with your core business objectives, encompassing crucial aspects such as property assessment, acquisition, disposal, and efficient space management.
- Master project management principles essential for overseeing new construction ventures and other significant projects with utmost efficiency and success.
IFMA's Sustainability Course
After completing this course, participants will be able to discuss the following concepts as they relate to sustainability and FM:
- Energy management
- Water management
- Materials and consumable management
- Waste management
- Workplace and site management
IFMA's Facility Information Management & Technology Management Course
- Learn how to effectively utilize modern tools and techniques to benefit both workplaces and their occupants.
- Gain the knowledge to securely and efficiently collect data, enabling informed decision-making that aligns with core business objectives.
- Conduct thorough assessments of technology needs and stay ahead by anticipating the impact of emerging technologies.
- Understand the thought process behind determining whether to retain, update, enhance, or replace technology.
IFMA's Communications Course
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Develop the skills to be an effective liaison between external and internal stakeholders.
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Learn how to:
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Leverage modern tools and techniques for today’s workplaces and occupants.
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Create and deliver the right message for the intended result.
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Develop an FM communication plan.
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Identify and share relevant information to the appropriate audience.
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IFMA's Risk Management Course
- Prepare to support your organization’s risk management strategies for building a resilience and avoiding business interruptions.
- Understand the vulnerabilities of an organization’s structures and infrastructure and balance the critical nature of the demand organization’s mission and functions against the possible occurrence and impact of a risk event.
- Create and deliver the right message for the intended result.
- Develop an FM communication plan.
- Identify and share relevant information to the appropriate audience.
IFMA's Occupancy & Human Factors Course
Enhance your capacity to enhance organizational and individual occupant performance, while guiding the FM team in establishing and executing the essential practices for achieving success.
Participants will gain the ability to:
- Foster an atmosphere where motivation, productivity, and retention thrive.
- Harmonize safety and security with innovation.
- Master the art of negotiating service level agreements.
IFMA's Performance & Quality Course
Discover and apply the essence of capturing fitness for its intended purpose, embracing a mindset of continuous improvement, and satisfying the needs of stakeholders.
Participants will gain the ability to:
- Identify and meet the requirements and expectations of stakeholders for the facility and its related services.
- Comprehend and articulate the components of a comprehensive quality management system for FM.
- Evaluate the performance of the FM organization to drive ongoing enhancements.
Get a quote for the IFMA courses you need
Frequently asked questions
Am I required to sign up for all 7 of the core competency courses?
While we recommend going through all 7 core competency courses for thorough CFM exam prep, you can choose only the ones that you need to fill knowledge gaps.
How do I know I'm ready to take the CFM exam?
First, check your eligibility. All CFM exam applicants must meet eligibility requirements to take the CFM exam:
- 3 or more years of FM experience with a bachelors or masters degree in FM
- 5 or more years with any education
If you're eligible to apply and take the test, do a self-review of your FM knowledge. (Resources listed above in Step 2.)
Don't forget: Once you are approved to take the CFM exam, you have 90 days to test. If you surpass the 90 days with no exam attempt, you must extend your application with IFMA's Credentials team.
Learn more about the exam at ifma.org.
Questions about your eligibility? Email our Credentials team at credentials@ifma.org.
How do I get started?
Fill out the form above and our Training Support Team will create an invoice that you can share with your Army credentialing resources manager.