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ONLINE CFM EXAM & REMOTE TESTING LOCATIONS
Recently, ASFPM announced their transition to a digital CFM® exam where exam candidates can begin scheduling online exams on September 1. Moving to an online format provides greater convenience and flexibility to floodplain management professionals who take the CFM exam each year. Exam takers will not have to wait for an exam date to be scheduled locally or travel to take an exam in a neighboring state. Exam takers will receive test results immediately upon completion of the exam, rather than the typical two-three week turn-around time of the paper exams.
ASFPM has contracted with Scantron, a testing services company, to make the CFM exam available at its test center locations in the United States and Canada. Of the top 100 U.S. cities by population, 98% of candidates are within 15 miles of a Scantron testing center. For even greater convenience, there’s also the option of taking the exam from home or the office with Scantron’s remote proctor service.
Timeline for the digital exam transition: To accommodate exam takers during the transition to a digital exam, the Certification Board of Regents (CBOR) has established a phased rollout for the program.
• Digital exams can be scheduled starting Sept. 1, 2021
• Existing paper exams that are already scheduled will go on as scheduled
• ASFPM will begin pilot testing digital exam offerings at chapter events later this year
• Paper exams are targeted to be phased out in 2022
Getting started with the digital CFM exam: Register HERE for the online CFM exam. You will receive a Notice to Schedule email from Scantron that includes a username/password and instructions to register at a testing center that meets your preferred location and timeframe. You can adjust your location/timeframe search as needed to get more options. A list of testing locations can be found here.
To help you navigate the changes, ASFPM has developed a resource of frequently asked questions. To get started, visit the Getting Certified page to learn more and register for the exam.
The BENEFITS of having Certified Floodplain Managers (CFM®) in your community include:
Professionals that:
• understand the rules and regulations of floodplain management;
• understand natural and beneficial functions of the floodplain;
• understand risk analysis and map interpretation;
• understand the impacts of building in the floodplain;
• stay current with floodplain management trends and activities by taking continuing education classes;
• provide guidance on local conditions and development;
• provide guidance to officials and citizens on floodplain management and describe the risks involved in building in the floodplain as well as the beneficial uses of the floodplain; and
• have attained a level of knowledge of floodplain management that allows them to perform a variety of flood preventive activities in the community.
Additional reasons to have CFMs in your community:
The CFMs will:
• be aware of applicable federal, state, and local laws pertaining to development in the floodplain;
• demonstrate an ability to read and interpret maps - a significantly important step in assessing the level of risk in a community or within a development;
• provide options for those choosing to develop or planning development in the floodplain, ranging from set-backs to elevation requirements, and from floodproofing to simply not building in a particular area; and.
• coordinate with the engineering and planning departments of a community - an integral part of the community development team that can make recommendations for development that best assess the needs and conditions of your community. With this type of team approach, the CFMs can help guide responsible land use decisions and protect the citizens and property in a community.
The National Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM®) Program was established by the Association of State Floodplain Managers, Inc. (ASFPM) as a formalized means to:
• recognize the need for continuing education and professional development needs of local, state, federal, and private-sector floodplain managers; and
• ensure that highly qualified individuals will help the community meet the challenges of breaking the damage cycle and stopping the negative drain on the nation’s human, financial, and natural resources.
What type of person becomes a CFM?
The ASFPM CFM® Program is directed toward individuals from widely varying occupations, interests, and educational backgrounds who have routine floodplain management duties. This includes representatives from local communities, state and federal officials, the private sector, academia, special interest groups, and private citizens.
What are the CFM® Program goals and how do they help YOUR community?
The CFM® Program helps improve the knowledge and abilities of floodplain managers to better serve the community by:
• enhancing credibility and visibility of the floodplain management profession in the community;
• requiring continuing education to keep up to date on regulatory and grant programs;
• testing 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.
CFM Exam Opportunities
To register for the CFM Exam, please contact the Association of State Floodplain Managers at: 608-828-3000 or cfm@floods.org . Exam information and study guide may be referenced at: www.floods.org .
NOTICE: CFM Refresher Course No Longer Available
The ASFPM CFM Exam Preparation Guide is the only endorsed exam preparation for the CFM® Exam. ASFPM has discontinued the use of the ASFPM CFM® Refresher Course and is asking trainers to discontinue both its use and title. Courses bearing this title or indicating that it is designed to prepare attendees for the CFM® Exam will no longer receive CEC credit.
For more information about this course, contact Alicia Silverio at alicia.silverio@dnr.ohio.gov or 614-265-1006.
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