What is a Certified Public Manager

The Certified Public Manager® designation is awarded to public sector middle managers who have completed the required 300 hours of study through a CPM program accredited by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium.  CPM programs are sponsored and operated by a public sector agency or university in a state or other political jurisdiction.

The Certified Public Manager® program is a nationally accredited comprehensive management development program open to managers in federal, state, and local government agencies.  Some states also open enrollment to non-profit organizations. The program’s primary goal is to improve the performance of public sector managers and the organizational performance of state, local and federal governments.

The program is a comprehensive course of study by which public managers can acquire and apply best practices and theory to their management behaviors and strategies using prescribed sets of professional competencies. The curriculum uses theory as the foundation and applies it to practical problems facing the participant, their agency/department, and the citizens.

The curriculum is built upon the seven management competencies.  Delivery methods and schedules,  and instructional tools are chosen by individual programs.  Some programs are exam based, some are project based, some are a combination of both.  A small number of states offer the classes 100% online while others are either fully classroom based or classroom based with some online enhancements.

Those earning the Certified Public Manager® designation are eligible to become members of the American Academy of Certified Public Managers.