Certified Floodplain Manager Certification - Arkansas Floodplain Management Association, Inc.

Thank you for your interest in becoming a

Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM)!

BACKGROUND:

The Arkansas Floodplain Management Association, Inc. (AFMA) has been recognized as an Accredited Chapter through the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM), which is recognized as the authority on floodplain management throughout the Nation. Through this recognition, AFMA, along with ASFPM and other Accredited Chapters, established the Certified Floodplain Manager® program. This program recognizes continuing education and professional development to enhance the knowledge and performance of local, state, federal, and private-sector floodplain managers.

Due to increases in disasters and flood losses, the role of the floodplain manager is expanding and drawing more attention. As most floodplain managers come from a wide range of careers and backgrounds, there is no college-level degree program for floodplain management. This certification program lays the foundation for ensuring highly qualified individuals are available to meet the challenge of breaking the current cycle of flood losses; thus stopping its negative drain on the nation’s human, financial, and natural resources.

The formation of the 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.

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants desiring to obtain designation as a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM^®) must perform the following steps.

You must become a member before you submit an application to take the CFM® exam. There are many benefits:

Extensive industry training and educational opportunities
Fall Conference
Spring Workshop
National Certified Floodplain Manager program
Website: reference information about AFMA, online registration for conferences, payment of annual dues
Interaction opportunities with fellow professionals in your field, sharing experiences, providing support and promoting goodwill through flood mitigation activities across the state.

Join AFMA

The CFM® application and fee must be returned to the Professional Development & Certification Chair for review and approval before proceeding with the CFM® process.

Click here to explore your options on taking the exam.

Please note the CFM® exam will no longer be administered on paper!! All CFM® Exams, starting on January 1, 2023, have been moved to a digital format.

The following steps must be completed FIRST before you will be authorized to take the digital CFM® exam:

1) Join AFMA and pay the member dues.

2) Complete the CFM application (below).

3) Submit the $35 exam fee to AFMA.

Upon completion of the three steps above, we will email you the ASFPM one-page Digital application. You will be required to fill it out and include payment information for the ASFPM imposed $85 digital exam fee. All candidates residing in Arkansas must complete the three steps with AFMA first, before the final step with ASFPM is authorized.

NOTE: CFM application and exam fee is valid for 1-year ONLY. Candidate has 1 year to take the exam. The exam fee is non-refundable and cannot be transferred. If you have any questions, contact the AFMA office.

Complete the online application

This is a list of materials / links which may be helpful in studying for the CFM exam. This list is not intended to be all inclusive, or to "teach to the exam", but contains useful information when preparing for the CFM exam.

Upon taking the CFM® exam digitally through ASFPM, you will immediately be notified of your score, and AFMA will also be notified.

NOTE: IF YOU ARE NOT PRE-APPROVED, YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO SIT FOR THE EXAM.

Questions and comments can be directed to:

Shawn Jackson, GISP, CFM, PDCC Chair
Lee Beshoner, PE, CFM, PDCC Vice Chair

CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE:

Once an individual obtains certification, the following activities are required for biennial renewal of certification:

Continuous membership in AFMA;
Documented evidence of 16 hours worth of continuing education credits (CECs) in a two-year period (online);
Completion of Biennial Renewal Application (online); and
Payment of CFM renewal fee.

Questions about the CFM Program?
Ms. Shawn Jackson, GISP, CFM
CFM Program Coordinator
pdcc@arkansasfloods.org
Contact Us

Upcoming Exams

Date & Time	Location	Format	Registration Deadline	Proctor (email)
October 8, 2023 1:00 pm	Oaklawn Casino & Resort Conference Center	In Person	September 15, 2023	Shawn Jackson

CFM^® is a registered trademark of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM).

Arkansas Accredited Chapter CFM Program – Schedule of Fees

Listing of Arkansas CFMs