There are many ways to further your career in all industries, and in facility management obtaining specific industry certifications can help you do just that. It depends on where one works, but there are many ways to get certifications. Facility managers may want to achieve credentials to acquire more industry knowledge, increase one’s salary or to move up in their career.
Multiple industry organizations make it easier and more accessible for individuals to obtain new or updated certifications or credentials at their company.
At the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), director of client solutions Lisa Stanley describes the company as a mission-driven nonprofit. The organization supports facilities with LEED certifications at the building level, while also offering specific credentials for facility managers.
“We have what's called the LEED rating system, and it is focused on buildings,” Stanley says. “We have LEED credentials where the people use these credentials, but the buildings get these certifications under LEED as the primary tool.”
There are two LEED credentials that USGBC offers for facility managers to take their career to that next level: LEED Green Associate and LEED AP with specialty.
According to their website, the LEED Green Associate is a “foundational professional credential signifying core competency in green building principles.” The LEED AP with specialty credential is defined as: “an advanced professional credential signifying expertise in green building and a LEED rating system.”
Both credentials can be acquired by taking the exam at a testing center.
At the International WELL Building Institute, facility managers are expected to earn the WELL Accredited Professional (AP) credential to help them be better equipped to take a more health-focused approach to their building operations.
According to chief product officer at the International WELL Building Institute Jessica Cooper, earning the WELL AP credential signifies both personal and professional commitment to promoting human health through building operations and design.
“WELL APs have demonstrated expertise in the WELL Building Standard, a compilation of evidence-based design, policy, and performance-based strategies for creating people-first spaces,” Cooper says. “Upon earning their WELL AP, facility managers are better equipped to take a health-focused approach to building operations, serve as key decision-making partners for building owners and drive meaningful change in our communities, schools, homes and workplaces.”
At the International Association for Facility Management Professionals (IFMA), there are multiple ways managers can pursue industry credentials, executive director of business Development Kim Jackson says. There has been an increase in both individuals looking to seek more professional development, and companies deciding that they would like to develop their team more and have formalized training.
IFMA’s website has all the different training options to obtain certifications, and the program can be purchased on their learning management system.
“Their decision to seek a credential will be to get that formalized training, but also it's a good way to acknowledge their or, get respect for their skillset from their other colleagues that they work with,” Jackson says.
IFMA has seen a lot of facility professionals starting their careers without planning to be a facility manager, but as their employees progressed in their careers they acquired a lot of on-the-job training.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) allows individuals to obtain certification through its online certification management software platform found on nfpa.org.
“From there they'll choose whichever certification makes the most sense for them,” says Dan Pickel, director of certification and accreditation at NFPA. “They might open up a few applications just to see which one they prefer. They don't always read our content on the website, so a lot of times they'll open up an application, look through the eligibility criteria, and then decide this is for me or is it not for me?”
Once an individual decides to apply, they must submit documentation that verifies managerial experience or education. Once they submit this information, the NFPA team reviews the submission and will either approve it or send it back with comments asking for more clarification.
To earn a certificate from the Building Owners and Managers Institute, participants can complete three courses and pass an exam to demonstrate an understanding of the program, according to BOMI’s website. Those who participate need to complete their certificate enrollment in three years.
Participants who do not complete their enrollment within their term are considered inactive. BOMI offers five main certificate programs including Property Administrator Certificate (PAC), Property Management Financial Proficiency Certificate (PMFP), Facilities Management Certificate (FMC), Building Systems Maintenance Certificate (SMC), and Building Energy Certificate (BEC).
Sara Myers-Hogshead is a freelance writer based in Cherry Valley, Illinois.
