Accredited Manager Program

The Accredited Manager Program (AMP) is a designation available only to CMAO members that who have completed 40 hours of approved courses, with at least 25 core credits and 15 elective credits. There are 6 required core sessions that must be attend prior to receiving the designation, which includes Municipal Budgeting, Purchasing, ICMA Ethics, Open Meetings, Open Records, and Tort Claims. To receive credit, a course assessment form must be submitted for each session attended. All sessions must be attended in-person and recorded sessions are not eligible for credit as it removes the opportunity to ask questions and interact among the attendees. If a participant has more than 25 core credits but are lacking in elective credit, they can use two core credits in exchange for one elective credit.

To enroll in AMP, just select the AMP option during the member application or renewal process. The annual fee for the program is $50 and this covers the processing and recording of the credits and the award once the designation is approved. All individuals who are pursuing a career in city management can participate in the program. However, only City Managers or Assistant City Managers are eligible to receive the full AMP designation. All others, such as department heads or mayors, will be recognized for completing the program but the full designation will be pending until they have obtained two years of experience as a City Manager or Assistant City Manager. After approved credentialing, the participant may use the designation of CMAO-CM. 

There is a continuing education requirement of 10 hours of approved courses every two years. All core credits must be obtain through CMAO only and only elective courses are available from outside sources. External electives may be submitted to CMAO for approval within 3 weeks of completing the training. All external training shall be directly related to city management and submittals must include a syllabus or training overview along with a detailed evaluation of the training and the individual’s takeaway. Preapproval will not be required for individual classes and the AMP committee will review each submittal and will award or deny credit with a majority vote from the committee. A maximum of 7 hours of external electives will be awarded. The only exception to the external elective process is if the AMP committee pre-approves any classes or training from a reputable source, such as OML or ICMA. If that occurs, a list of the pre-approved sessions will be distributed prior to the training.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours of courses are required to complete the program?

40 hours are required with a breakdown of 25 core credits (including the 6 required core) and 15 elective credits. If needed, a participant can exchange two core credits for one elective credit.

What is the cost of the program?

$50 annually and is an option to be selected on the membership application and renewal form.

Is the program available for non-members of CMAO?

No, only CMAO members in good standing are eligible to participate in the program.

Does a participant have to be an assistant city manager or city manager to receive the AMP designation? 

No, all members are allow to participate but the designation is only provided to City Managers and Assistant City Managers who have at least 2 years of experience.

Once the AMP designation is achieved, how many course hours will be required each year to maintain the designation?

10 hours every 2 years.

What is the deadline for the Course Assessment forms to be completed and turned into the CMAO Executive Director? 

They should be submitted by the week after the conference where the session was provided.

Will AMP sessions be videoed for participants who miss the course?

Some sessions are recorded but only those who attended the session in person is eligible for credit.

Can I receive credit for other training I attend?

Yes, you must submit a syllabus or training overview along with a detailed evaluation of the training and the individual’s takeaway no more than three weeks after attending the session. The AMP Committee may also pre-approve outside credit from reputable sources such as OML and ICMA. All external sessions will be for elective credit only. All external electives will be limited to one half of the elective courses needed.

What type of sessions are considered for core credit?

While this list is not exhaustive, core credit could include topics such as:

  • Accrual Accounting vs Cash Finance

  • Basics of Council Manager Form of Government

  • Case Studies and Discussions of Actual Ethic Dilemmas

  • HR Basics (FLSA, FMLA, EEOC)

  • ICMA Ethics (Required)

  • Labor Relations

  • Leadership

  • Municipal Budgeting (Required)

  • Open Meetings (Required)

  • Open Records (Required)

  • Purchasing (Required)

  • Tort Claims (Required)

What type of sessions are considered for elective credit?

While this list is not exhaustive, elective credit could include topics such as:

  • Capital Project Management

  • Code Enforcement/Building Inspection

  • Conflict Resolution

  • Customer Service

  • DEQ/How to address a consent order?

  • Economic Development

  • Generational Issues in the Workplace

  • How to handle a deposition – What to Expect

  • Innovations in Local Government (case studies, examples)

  • Media/Public Relations/Crisis Communications/Social Media/Branding/Marketing your city and services

  • Municipal Insurance/Health Insurance

  • Planning/Zoning/Land Use

  • Running an Efficient City Council Meeting

  • The Role of OMMS, OML, and COGS

  • Workers Comp in Oklahoma

Who do i contact if I have additional questions?

Feel free to reach out to CMAO Staff at info@cmao-ok.org or (844) 260-2626.