Frequently Asked Questions about the CMP Program
CMP FAQs
Q. What is the CMP program and why should I obtain the CMP designation?
Q. What do I need to do to become a CMP? What is the process?
Q. How do I prepare for the CMP exam?
Q. I see that you don't have my city listed as a site, is there any way I can get a city added?
Q. I have a new address, how should I inform CIC?
Application Questions
Q. What is the status of my application?
Q. What happens if I send in my application with $225 and my application is denied?
Q. I have been out of school for years. How can I prove my education?
Q. I am unsure if the classes I have taken count toward continuing education. Can you please help?
Q. I attended XZY conference. How can I prove I attended?
Q. Do I have to submit my resume with my application?
Q. What if my work experience for specific positions does not equal whole years?
Q. Does participating in a webinar count for counting education?
Study Groups
Q. I am looking for a study group. Can you help me find the one closest to me?
Q. Do I pay for Study Groups? If yes, how much?
Q. How long will the Study Groups last? How long per session and how many sessions?
Q. What happens if I can't make all the meetings for the Study Group process?
Exam Questions
Q. I am preparing for the exam. Which books do I need?
Q. I failed the last exam. How can I register for the next exam?
Q. If I failed do I have to pay the $450 fee again? If so, why?
Q. I have to cancel the exam. Will I receive a refund?
Q. When will I receive my results? How will I be notified?
Q. I did not receive my test results?
Q. My colleagues have received their results, how come I haven't received mine?
CMP Exam Payment Plan Frequently asked questions:
Q. Will this payment program be offered for future exams?
Q. Can I take advantage of the payment plan and pay by check?
Q. When will my credit card be charged?
Q. When does my first credit card payment need to be sent to CIC?
Q. What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
Q. I’m already registered for the 3rd Quarter Exam. Can I participate and make payments?
CMP FAQs
Q. What is the CMP program and why should I obtain the CMP designation?
A. For more than twenty years, Convention Industry Council (CIC) has defined new levels of professionalism through its Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) program. CIC certifies individuals through an internationally recognized certification program that evaluates the competency of meeting professionals. The CMP designation represents the standard of excellence in today's meetings, conventions and exhibitions industry.
Q. What do I need to do to become a CMP? What is the process?
A. Attaining your CMP is a 2-step Process:
Step 1: Application
-
Visit the CIC’s website www.conventionindustry.org to download the application, as well as the CMP Candidate Handbook with the application policies and procedures.
- Three years of work experience in the industry
or
- Applicants with a degree in meeting, event, exhibition, or hospitality/tourism management may apply after two years of work experience
or
- Full-time instructors who have taught for three years in a meeting/hospitality university program
AND
- Completion of twenty-five hours of continuing education
or
- Completion of approved internship/apprenticeship in the industry
- If an applicant needs additional clarification to complete the application, please feel free to contact CIC Headquarters at 571.527.3116, or at cichq@conventionindustry.org
-
Applications are reviewed twice a year. All upcoming application deadlines and exam dates are listed http://www.conventionindustry.org/cmp/tips.htm
- Following each application deadline, completed applications are submitted to the Convention Industry Council for review and verification of points indicated.
-
You will receive an e-mail within 4 to 6 weeks after the application submission deadline to inform you of application review results.
-
If the application is approved the Applicant, now deemed a CMP Candidate will receive information about how to register for the exam. Candidates will have up to 2 years to sit for the CMP examination.
-
If the application is not approved, the Applicant is entitled to a detailed report (included with the denial letter) and is able to submit a single written appeal via email, mail or fax, within 14 calendar days of the denial notification. All appeals must be received by the CIC offices on the 14th day, not postmarked by the 14th day. If the initial decision is upheld after the appeal, or the applicant chooses not to appeal, the applicant must re-apply. Those who choose to reapply must submit a new application submission and with the current fee in order to be considered to sit for the CMP examination.
-
Step 2: Examination
-
The CMP examination is held twice annually, once in the winter and once in the summer. The exam will not be held at any other time of year. The exception to this rule is potential International (Non-US/Canada) test administrations.
-
Registration information will be included in the candidate’s approval notification. Candidates must register and pay the Exam registration fee by the deadline indicated in the candidate notification. No exceptions to the deadlines will be made. All mailed registrations must be received by the deadline, not post-marked by the deadline.
-
Candidates have two years upon approval of their application in which to take and pass the exam.
-
Approximately three weeks before the examination date, candidates who registered will be sent written confirmation of the final examination arrangements, including site, room location and time of exam.
-
After taking the exam, it will take approximately 6 - 8 weeks to receive your results by mail from the testing agency. The exams are graded base on scaled scores, and the test results are given as a Pass/Fail notification.
-
If the Candidate passed, they will receive a notification letter letting them know they passed.
-
If the Candidate did not pass, the notice will include a test report indicating areas of strength and weakness. Candidates are welcome to re-take the examination, however the testing fee is not waived, the candidate must pay the full examination fee to sit for the exam again.
-
Certificates will be mailed to passing candidates 4 to 6 weeks after they receive their notification letters.
-
Q. How do I prepare for the CMP exam?
A. Many organizations sponsor study groups, however they are all independent of CIC. In the Policies and Procedures found on our website, information is provided to help you prepare for the exam. We have a list of recommended publications, an outline explaining the topics tested on the examination, and a few sample exam questions. Candidates may choose to join a study group or study independently to prepare for the examination. Participation in a formal study group is not required. Candidates are encouraged take the official CMP on-line practice examination, available on the CIC website.
Q. I see that you don't have my city listed as a site, is there any way I can get a city added?
A. If there are at least 20 candidates requesting that a certain city be added as an exam location, we may establish it as an additional site. We do ask that if your city is added, you be able to assist us with lining up an exam site. It is imperative that candidates notify CIC before registration opens that interest exists in their area. To request that a city be considered as an additional examination location:
-
A representative from the group of applicants (or study group leader) must submit to CIC a written request that lists each candidate from the group that is interested in the site.
-
The request must be submitted to CIC no later than fourteen (14) calendar days following the application submission deadline.
* Requesting an additional examination site outside of North America requires additional notice. Please contact CIC Headquarters for further instructions.
Q. I have a new address, how should I inform CIC?
A. You may update your own address in the CIC Directory. Please visit http://interactive.conventionindustry.org/eweb/DynamicPage.aspx?webcode=IndDirectory
Application Questions
Q. I realize the deadline to have my application in for the CMP exam has passed, but I have been so busy I just haven’t had time to complete it, can I still send it in?
A. No. Late applications will not be accepted.
Q. What is the status of my application?
A. It is against policy to discuss the status applications over the phone or email. All applicants will be notified of their application results at the same time once all applications have been reviewed. Results will be emailed to the applicants 4-6 weeks after the application deadline.
Q. What happens if I send in my application with $225 and my application is denied?
A. The $225 fee is a non-refundable fee to cover the cost of processing your application.
Q. I have been out of school for years. How can I prove my education?
A. Please attach a photocopy of your diploma or official transcript.
Q. I am unsure if the classes I have taken count toward continuing education. Can you please help?
A. As there are thousands of continuing education courses offered annually, we are not able to address specific subjects in this FAQ. Continuing education courses will count on the application as long as the subject matter of the course relates back to the CMP Blueprint.CIC requires applicants to include documentation of attendance/completion for all continuing education listed on the application.
Q. I attended XZY conference. How can I prove I attended?
A. Many organizations provide credit forms, or offer to track the courses you attended electronically. Simply complete the form and/or print out the electronic tracking form and submit it with your application. If neither one of those is available, and copy of your registration, along with a conference agenda or schedule at a glance can be accepted, as well.
Q. Do I have to submit my resume with my application?
A. Submitting your resume with detailed job descriptions is currently a required.
Q. What if my work experience for specific positions does not equal whole years?
A. Candidates must use the exact time in each position (mm/yyyy to mm/yyyy). Here are some tips to calculating time in each position:
-
When counting months, please note that reviewers count months from the 1st of the month to the 1st of the next month.
- Example: 09/2008 to 10/2008, would be counted as Sept 1, 2008 to Oct 1, 2008, which equals 1 month.
-
When counting multiple years in a position, as with months, you must count the 1st to 1st.
- Example: 06/2005 to 01/2008, would be:
- June 1, 2005 to June 1, 2006 = 12 months
- June 1, 2006 to June 1, 2007 = 12 month
- June 1, 2006 to Jan 1, 2008 = 19 months
- Total = 43 months
- Example: 06/2005 to 01/2008, would be:
Q. Does participating in a webinar count for counting education?
Yes. As long as the subject of the webinar is one of the topics in the CMP Blueprint it can count on the application.
Q. My membership organization holds a monthly breakfast/luncheon with a speaker; does this qualify for continuing education?
A. Yes. However, you may only claim 1 hour for each monthly chapter meeting as long as their is an education component to the meeting. In addition, holiday parties and networking events do not qualify as continuing education.
Q. I completed an event management certificate program. Do those courses count towards continuing education?
A. Yes. However you will need to submit transcripts, or a detailed syllabus from the program to substantiate these points. In addition, CIC has found that there are projects/practicum, that are part of their certificate programs. These are not currently eligible for points.
Study Groups
Q. I am looking for a study group. Can you help me find the one closest to me?
A. Please look on our website under study groups and find the one nearest you. This list can be found at http://www.conventionindustry.org/cmp/studygroups.htm.
Q. Do I pay for Study Groups? If yes, how much?
A. Usually yes, however the prices will vary, and are determined by the individuals or organizations.
Q. How long will the Study Groups last? How long per session and how many sessions?
A. Again, this varies with each Study Group. Our suggestion is that a Candidate poll the Study Group options to determine what will fit their needs. Most Study Groups meet on a weekly basis (same time, same night each week) for an average of 2-3 hours ranging from 10 weeks to 16 weeks.
Q. What happens if I can't make all the meetings for the Study Group process?
A. Still continue. Each week or session there will be handouts that will allow you to study and prepare on your own. Possibly work with a partner that you can share the information and do additional studying.
Exam Questions
Q. I am preparing for the exam. Which books do I need?
A. All of the study materials listed below are necessary in thoroughly preparing one's self for the exam! Do not rely on the information from a single text to be successful on the exam.
- CIC Manual 8th Edition
- CIC International Manual
- APEX Glossary
- Professional Meeting Management 5th Edition
- IAEE Guidelines (available for free download from CIC site)
Q. I failed the last exam. How can I register for the next exam?
A. CIC will email all eligible candidates when registration opens. If you are unsure if CIC has your contact information, please login to the CIC website and verify your contact information.
Q. If I failed do I have to pay the $450 fee again? If so, why?
A. Yes, regardless of how many times you take the exam the fee never changes for CIC with the testing agency.
Q. I have to cancel the exam. Will I receive a refund?
A. Candidates may cancel their registration if written notification is received by CIC 30 calendar days prior to the day of the exam. Cancellation processing fee is $100 USD. The remainder of the examination fee will be refunded. Cancellations made less than 30 calendar days prior to the exam and no-shows on the day of the exam will be forfeit their entire $450.00 USD examination fee.
Q. When will I receive my results? How will be notified?
A. Results are typically mailed from Prometric approximately 8 weeks after the examination.
Q. Why does it take 8 weeks?
A. Once all of the tests are electronically scored, the CMP Board Exam Committee meets to review exam questions. The committee carefully looks at the cumulative results for each question, and reviews questions that had written feedback from candidates as well as those that raise a flag statistically (whether a significant number answered incorrectly which may indicate a problem with the question), and decide on whether to throw out any questions which should not be considered in the scoring.
Q. I did not receive my test results?
A. Should this happen, email CIChq@conventionindustry.org with your full information and explanation of the issue, and we will contact the testing agency on your behalf.
Q. My colleagues have received their results, how come I haven’t received mine?
A. All results are mailed out at the same time. Please allow a 3 additional days for your results to get to you. If you still have yet to receive them after 3 days please contact CIC.
CMP Exam Payment Plan Frequently asked questions:
Q. Will this payment program be offered for future exams?
A. CIC will assess the success of this program and will include all payment options in the next exam cycle.
Q. Can I take advantage of the payment plan and pay by check?
A. You may pay your exam fee in three equal installments by credit card only.
Q. When will my credit card be charged?
A. Credit cards will be charged $150 USD upon receipt of the exam registration form. Two subsequent charges of $150 USD each will be automatically processed at 30 and 60 days.
Q. When does my first credit card payment need to be sent to CIC?
A. The registration form and first payment information must be in the CIC office prior to the exam registration deadline. Registration can be faxed or mailed. If mailed the form must arrive at the CIC office by the registration deadline, not postmarked.
Q. What happens if I need to cancel my registration?
A. CIC’s cancellation policy still applies with this program. Candidates may cancel their registration if written notification is received by CIC 30 calendar days prior to the day of the exam. The cancellation processing fee is $100 USD. The remainder of the examination fee that has been charged to date will be refunded. Cancellations made less than 30 calendar days prior to the exam and no-shows on the day of the exam will forfeit their entire $450.00 USD examination fee.