The Certified Floodplain Manager Program (CFM® Program) has two fundamental goals:
- 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, and
- increase the prominence of floodplain management in decision-making by local officials and the public.
The list of upcoming exams can be viewed here (updated periodically): https://www.floods.org/certification-program-cfm/getting-certified/exams/
However, the CFM is digital so it can be taken in one of the many testing centers in the front range so you can select a time and location that works best for you (https://www.scantron.com/test-site-cities/).
Sometimes CASFM will proctor the ASFPM CFM® exam for our members, usually at our Annual conference in the fall. If this is possible, the link to register for this proctored exam will show in the registration for the conference or will be sent out to our members if there is a special date.
The CFM® program was developed and is administered by the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). A complete discussion of the CFM program can be read by clicking here. CASFM first proctored the CFM exam at the 2002 Annual Conference in Steamboat Springs. At that time, Colorado had only five CFMs in the state. As of 2022, the Colorado contingent has grown to over 500. Click here for the current list of CFMs that can be sorted by state.
Important Things to Know
- The CFM®program is administered by ASFPM. You will need to apply for the exam and pay ASFPM directly. Click here to find the ASFPM CFM® Exam Application.
- CFM®s need to acquire 16 Continuing Education Credits over a two year period to maintain their certification. It is normally possible to obtain these credits by maintaining your membership in ASFPM and CASFM and attending the CASFM annual conference each year. CECs are certified and maintained by ASFPM. CASFM conferences are usually approved by ASFPM for 12 CECs. Below are the latest links for fees from ASFPM.
Possible Resources for Studying
- Good starting point as this shows the different areas covered in the FEMA 480 document https://floodsciencecenter.org/products/certified-floodplain-manager-resources/
- The FEMA 480 can be found at this link
- CASFM Floodplain 101 Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLgHF5OSbQFROyrphMAfVfDZ-cdfKtWWbi. We are missing the third unit but these can be a great help for reviewing the material previously learned in FEMA 480.
- FEMA has a free Floodplain 101 Course that is housed on the ASFPM website . The course is intended to help anyone understand the basics of the NFIP. It can be taken from start to finish or it allows the user to jump around to specific sections for refresher. The course takes 14-18 hours and rewards 12 CEC for CFMs upon the first time completing the course. Here is the direct link to the course: https://www.floods.org/training-education/online-training/asfpm-on-demand-learning/nfip101/