What is a CFM?
The Association of State Floodplain Managers has established a national program for professional certification of floodplain managers. The program recognizes continuing education and professional development that enhance the knowledge and performance of local, state, federal, and private-sector floodplain managers.
The role of the nation's floodplain managers is expanding due to increases in disaster losses, the emphasis being placed upon mitigation to alleviate the cycle of damage-rebuild-damage, and a recognized need for professionals to adequately address these issues. Floodplain managers come from a variety of curricula and backgrounds; there is no college-level degree program for floodplain management. This certification program will lay the foundation for ensuring that highly qualified individuals are available to meet the challenge of breaking the damage cycle and stopping its negative drain on the nation's human, financial, and natural resources.
The formation of a professional certification program is recognized as an effective means to:
- Formalize a procedure to recognize and provide an incentive for individuals to improve their knowledge of floodplain management concepts;
- Enhance individual professional development goals;
- Promote an understanding of relevant subject matter that is consistent nationwide;
- Convey new concepts and practices; and
- Build partnerships among organizations and agencies that share the goal of advancing sound floodplain management.
Goals of CFM Program
The primary goal of the ASFPM Certified Floodplain Manager Program (CFM Program) is to help reduce the nation's flood losses and protect and enhance the natural resources and functions of its floodplains by improving the knowledge and abilities of floodplain managers in the United States. This goal will be achieved over time by:
- Encouraging self-study and attendance at training courses to pass testing to obtain certification;
- Requiring continuing education as a condition for renewal;
- Encouraging ASFPM chapters, state agencies, and state or regional associations to prepare tests for floodplain managers on specific knowledge of state and regional requirements and legislation: and
- Ensuring that the CFMs have an awareness not only of the NFIP, but of comprehensive floodplain management.
A second goal of the CFM Program is to increase the prominence of floodplain management in decision-making by local officials and the public. This goal will be achieved on a larger scale and over a longer time frame by:
- Improving the recognition of floodplain management as a specific discipline;
- Increasing the status of floodplain managers as knowledgeable professionals in a complex and important field;
- Providing greater credibility and visibility for the profession; and
- Increasing the educational and training opportunities for floodplain managers through partnerships with other organizations.
- Encouraging CFMs to contribute to the profession of floodplain management for the betterment of the nation.
Take the CFM Exam
You can find the study guide here. General information on applying to take the CFM exam can be found here
Contact Us to learn more about the next opportunity to become a CFM through IFSMA.