Recertification Requirements

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Recertification Requirements

The CHMM Recertification Program

The Recertification Program was developed to ensure that CHMMs maintain the highest professional standards and enhance their continued competence. The program requires that CHMMs participate in professional development activities and submit evidence of these activities on a periodic basis. Meeting these requirements in a timely manner is mandatory to maintain the CHMM certification.

CHMMs must earn a total of seventeen (17) CMPs during a 5-year cycle to qualify for recertification.

All claims for recertification credit must be documented (see below). If your records have been permanently lost or destroyed, some evidence of the event and/or an explanation statement signed by you attesting to the event should accompany your submission.

ACTIVITIES THAT QUALIFY FOR CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE POINTS (CMPs)

This information is taken from the CHMM Recertification Manual. To read or download the full manual, click here.

Active Professional Practice
The following activities qualify for two (2) CMPs per year:

Full-time employment with responsibility directly related to hazardous materials management, its laws, regulations, technology and implementation.
Employment as a full-time professional consultant whose responsibilities directly relate to hazardous materials management, its laws, regulations, technology and implementation.
Employment as an academic instructor who is a full-time faculty member of an accredited university or college teaching the equivalent of at least one (1) three-credit-hour course per year that directly relates to hazardous materials management, its laws, regulations, technology and implementation.

Credit may be pro-rated for part-time practice.

Professional Society/Association Membership and Leadership Activities
Membership and active participation in any of the following qualifies for two (2) CMPs per year:

IHMM Board of Directors
IHMM Board of Examiners
IHMM Board of Ethics
IHMM Recertification Peer Reviewer
ACHMM Board of Directors
Offices in an ACHMM Chapter (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) or a Chapter Committee Chairmanship
National committee/subcommittee of the ACHMM
National officer or committee/subcommittee chair of an approved organization.

One (1) CMP per year is awarded for membership in an approved professional society/association with documentation indicating attendance at more than half of the scheduled chapter meetings. Approved organizations include: ACHMM, AIChE, AIHA, ASCE, ASSE, AWMA, HPS, and NSPE. Other organizations may qualify; check with IHMM.

Continuing Education and Professional Development
NOTE: In accordance with standards of the Council of Engineering and Scientific Specialty Boards (CESB), which accredits the CHMM certification program, CHMMs must earn an average of 20 hours per year (1.25 CMPs), totalling at least 6.25 CMPs per cycle, through participation in any combination of the following seven categories. (If you are unsure about the types of training or courses that qualify, examine the CHMM Examination Blueprint. Any topic covered there is considered relevant for recertification purposes. Another resource is IHMM's list of pre-authorized courses.)

Distance Learning: Credit for distance learning or online courses will be awarded on the basis of college credits earned (see below) or, if CEUs are issued, on the basis of 1 CEU = 10 hours of study = 0.625 CMPs.

» College/University Credit Courses

Completion of an accredited, college-level course relevant to hazardous materials management: one-half (0.5) CMP per course for which 3 or more semester hours were earned; one-quarter (0.25) CMP per course of 2 semester hours or less. (Courses that were part of a new degree which was awarded during the same recertification cycle and claimed under the next item cannot be counted again here.)

» Receipt of a New Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree
Earning a degree from an accredited institution in addition to the degree(s) held when initially certified will be awarded four (4) CMPs.

» Professional Development Conferences/Courses/ Seminars
Attendance at conferences, seminars, workshops or in-house contracted training dealing primarily with hazardous materials management or a related topic: One-quarter (0.25) CMP per four (4) hours of actual training time.

Full documented attendance at the technical sessions at the ACHMM Annual Meeting meets the annual requirement of 20 hours (1.25 CMPs) of professional development.

Documented attendance at ACHMM chapter meetings that feature technical talks or field trips will be recognized for professional development credit at the rate of 0.125 CMP per meeting.

» Continuing Education/Refresher Courses
Completion of a continuing education or mandatory annual refresher course on hazardous materials management or a related topic, including HAZWOPER, RCRA, Asbestos O&M, Emergency Response and other OSHA/DOT/EPA courses: One-quarter (0.25) CMP per 4 hours of actual training.

» Part-Time Instructor Activity
Teaching courses directly related to hazardous materials management, its laws, regulations, technology and implementation on a part-time basis in an academic setting: One-quarter (0.25) CMP per credit hour taught; as a continuing education or overview course trainer: One-quarter (0.25) CMP per four (4) hours taught.

» Presentations, Publications and Papers

Presentation of a paper or lecture on hazardous materials management or a related topic to a professional organization, conference, seminar or workshop, when the presentation is original and has not been presented before: One-half (0.5) CMP.
Listed author/co-author or technical reviewer of an original paper in a professional publication or chapter in a textbook or reference book on the subject of hazardous materials management or a related subject: Two (2) CMPs.
Listed author/co-author, or editor/co-editor of a textbook or reference book on hazardous materials management or a related subject: Six (6) CMPs.

» CHMM Examination-Related Activities

Potential examination questions (items) submitted: one-tenth (0.10) CMP is awarded for each question accepted by the IHMM Board of Examiners (effective January 1, 2008). Any items accepted before that date will be credited according to the terms of the letter of acceptance from IHMM.
Participation in IHMM-led item-writing workshop: credit is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Service on an IHMM Board of Examiners (BOE): 2 CMPs per year.
Assisting the proctor of the CHMM examination (May 1, 2007 or earlier): one-quarter (0.25) CMP per event.

Government or Industry Standards or AdvisoryCommittee(s)
Service to related organizations at the national or local level will be recognized. Approved organizations include ASTM or ANSI, as well as local, regional or state advisory committees. Attendance at more than half of the planned meetings of a qualifying organization: One (1) CMP per year.

Professional Achievement/Recognition
A special citation or award conferred by a professional, governmental or educational organization for outstanding contribution(s) to the field of hazardous materials management: Two (2) CMPs per award.

A Registered Patent Related to Hazardous Materials Management
In the year of patent publication, a registered patent in the field of hazardous materials management: Two (2) CMPs.

Approved Professional Certification/Registration
Obtaining an approved professional credential or registration after initial CHMM certification: Two (2) CMPs per credential. Approved credentials or registrations include: Certified Safety Professional (CSP), Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), Professional Engineer (PE), Registered Professional Geologist (PG), Certified Health Physicist (CHP) and Diplomate Environmental Engineer (DEE). Other certifications may qualify; check with the Recertification Department. This credit may be claimed only during the year the credential was earned; it is not an annual credit.

Other Activities
Other activities may be submitted. They will be evaluated on an individual basis regarding their acceptability and awarding of CMPs.

ACCEPTABLE DOCUMENTATION TO SUPPORT CMP CLAIMS

All claims for recertification credit must be documented. If your records have been permanently lost or destroyed, some evidence of the event and/or an explanation statement signed by you attesting to the event should accompany your submission.

Active Professional Practice
A letter of verification from employer(s) or official job description(s) verifying dates of employment in the job described is acceptable. If self-employed, a company letterhead and a description of activities, is acceptable. A full-time academic instructor may send a catalog of courses offered with your name and description of the specific classes that you teach. Other documentation such as marketing literature also may be acceptable.

Professional Society/Association Membership and Leadership Activities
Submit copies of your membership certificate(s) showing dates of membership, dues receipts or similar records. Local ACHMM chapters are required to provide a CHMM with evidence of his/her attendance at meetings. Document(s) proving claims of leadership can include letterheads (dated), newsletters (with masthead of officers), official organizational announcement(s), or letters of verification from chapter or national officers.

Receipt of New Baccalaureate or Graduate Degree
An official transcript from an accredited institution indicating the degree and date awarded is required.

College/University Credit Courses
Official transcripts are required, showing satisfactory completion of course(s) taken.

Professional Development Conferences/Courses
Certificates of attendance (for conferences) or of completion (for courses) are the preferred documentation. Registration receipts, canceled checks, etc. may be used if no certificates were issued.. The documentation must include the name of the organization sponsoring the conference or course, the location and dates of attendance.

Continuing Education/Refresher Courses
Copies of transcripts or certificates are required, showing satisfactory completion of course(s) taken. If CEUs were issued, please convert to CMPs on the basis of 1 CEU = 10 hours of study = 0.625 CMPs.

Part-Time Instructor Activity
Submit a catalog of courses or an announcement or schedule of training, showing your name and a description of the classes you taught.

Presentations, Publications and Papers
CHMMs who have published articles or book(s) should provide photocopies of title pages that clearly indicate the source. A letter of invitation (or thanks) for a presentation, or a program brochure or similar item announcing the presentation at the meeting is appropriate for presentations.

CHMM Exam-Related Activities
a) A copy of a letter from the Institute acknowledging the acceptance of questions (items) is required.

b) A copy of a letter from the Institute or appropriate academic institution verifying proctoring activity is required.

Governmental or Industry Standards or Advisory Committee(s)
Copies of letter(s) acknowledging participation are acceptable.

Professional Achievement/Recognition
Photocopies of special citations and awards are required. A transmittal letter, text of the award or actual copy of the award is also acceptable.

A Registered Patent Related to Hazardous Materials Management
CHMMs claiming CMPs for this category must provide photocopies of the title page including date and source, as well as an abstract of the published document.

Approved Professional Certification/Registration
A copy of a numbered and dated license or certificate is required.