Each industry has credentials that professionals can earn for recognition of their expertise within the field. For event professionals, the globally recognized certification is known as, “CMP.” The acronym stands for Certified Meeting Professional and is administered by the Events Industry Council (EIC).
In order to obtain and maintain the CMP designation, event professionals must apply to sit for the exam and pass the exam. The requirements for each stage are outlined below.
The information provided was obtained from the Events Industry Council website and at the time of this posting. For specific details about each requirement, please visit the EIC website.
Application process
The first step includes an online application. Approval is based on satisfying the professional experience and continuing education requirements:
Professional Experience (1 of 3 options must be met)
Option 1: 36 months of experience
Option 2: 24 months of experience and an industry degree
Option 3: 36 months as a full-time educational instructor
Continuing Education (1 of 2 options must be met)
Option 1: 25 clock hours of educational activities
Option 2: Industry internship
Exam
Upon approval of application, the candidate is granted one year of eligibility to pass the exam. The exam includes 165 multiple-choice questions, taken at an approved testing center. At the conclusion of the exam, the candidate will receive a pass or fail result based on the total number of correctly answered questions, using a scaled scoring system.
Once the exam is successfully passed, the candidate may use the “CMP” credentials after their name for the next 5 years.
Recertification
Upon being awarded the CMP designation, each event planner must stay up-to-date on industry standards. Every 5 years, CMPs apply for recertification in order to continue to hold the designation. Recertification approval is based on satisfying the professional experience and continuing education requirements:
Professional Experience (1 of 2 options must be met)
Option 1: 36 months of experience
Option 2: 36 months as a full-time educational instructor
Continuing Education (1 of 3 options must be met)
Option 1: 25 clock hours of educational activities
Option 2: 15 clock hours of education activities and 3 industry support activities
Option 3: Earned an associate’s degree or higher in an industry-related field within last 5 years
In addition to the experience and education requirements, each CMP professional pledges to uphold the CMP Code of Ethics.
The CMP accreditation held by an event professional, is a quick way to easily recognize the experience, dedication, and knowledge acquired by the individual.
…until we meet again.