Our Three Application Streams for Qualified Candidates:
The Steps
How Long Does It Take?
The process can take as little as three months, depending on how quickly your references are submitted and they complete a client evaluation, when you pass the online examinations, and when you schedule your panel interview. See FAQs on the Application Process.
Getting Started Identify five or six references, most of them should be officers or executives of client organizations served. They will be invited to complete an online client evaluation. Five satisfactory evaluations must be received before continuing with the certification process. See important FAQs on Client Evaluations. Identify at least three client assignments to use to prepare concise written summaries, disguised to protect client identity. Ensure you will not violate your non-disclosure agreement with your clients. See FAQs on Engagement Summaries.
When submitting your application, you pledge in writing to abide by the Institute's Code of Ethics.
What does It cost? All CMCs pay an CMC® Annual Charge in December to maintain their certification for the next calendar year. Every third year each CMC® re-certifies in June (see CMC® Renewal below). The costs vary for IMC USA members and non-members.
Submit the application and supporting documents as PDFs. See FAQs on the Application. What Do I Study for the Written Examination?
Three core documents are supplied to the candidate for use as an open book reference during the on-line exams. These are: The IMC USA Code of Ethics, the IMC USA Body of Knowledge, and IMC USA’s Competency Framework and Certification Scheme for Certified Management Consultants™ (CMC®).The examination has two sections: ethics and core competencies. See FAQs on the On-Line Examination.
How Do I Prepare for the Oral Examination?
The Oral Examination is conducted face to face with 3 experienced CMCs normally in your local Chapter region. (Rarely, the panel is conducted on a conference call.) There are four parts: presenting one of your engagements, answering questions on engagement management, answering questions on ethics and answering questions on consulting core competencies. You should conduct yourself during the examination like you would for a client meeting, study materials found at the bottom of this page, review your application and FAQs on the Oral Examination.
Surprisingly, many consultants years past their degree programs take the Oral Exam too casually and do not pass. Short, concise answers about engagement management, ethical traps and working/communicating with senior managers through the life of a major project that demonstrate a breath of knowledge are expected. See FAQs on the Oral Examination.
Award of CMC® Certificate
After completing the Oral Examination, the candidate's file is reviewed by the IMC USA CMC Certification Committee. This review is conducted to ensure that all of the documents submitted are complete and validated and that all examinations have been completed with a passing grade. The Certification Committee meets once each month to approve certifications and notifies the candidate if the CMC® is awarded. All CMCs follow the Guidelines for use of the CMC certificate mark.
Failure of Examinations
Candidates who fail any portion of an examination are invited to retake that portion after agreeing for a reasonable amount of time to either re-study the materials or take remedial action enabling them to pass. If a candidate is dissatisfied with the outcome of the examinations, there is an appeal process to the IMC USA Board of Directors. See FAQs on the Appeal Process.
CMC® Renewal
CMC® certification renewal is due June 30th of the every third year from your original certification date. See CMC Renewal page. A CMC® must affirm at each renewal that they will continue to comply with the Institute's Code of Ethics.
Reciprocity or Transferring my CMC®
If you belong to another Institute that awards the CMC® and will move to the United States, you may transfer your CMC®. If you will work in the United States temporarily, you should request reciprocity for your CMC®. See FAQs
The Chair of the CMC® Certification Committee is Carl Potter CMC®. This committee at the national level administers the certification process.
More Questions?
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