Demand for facility management professionals is on the rise, including those with advanced certifications and accreditations. Among the most sought-after facility management certification is the Facility Management Professional (FMP) certification. Like any facility management certification, FMPs exhibit advanced knowledge of how to operate and orchestrate facilities. However, a facility management professional certification and other building management certifications sets these individuals apart in other ways.
For businesses looking for a leader to help shape and mold their facilities, having a facility manager certification is an attribute worth paying attention to. It not only demonstrates a person’s understanding of critical facility management competencies, it’s also a sign of their ongoing commitment to the profession.
What is FMP certification?
For facility professionals in pursuit of formal education, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) and Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management (IWFM) offer several certification programs. Among them, is FMP certification.
Like a Sustainability Facility Professional (SFP) or Certified Facility Manager (CFM), a Facility Management Professional (FMP) must undertake a training and examination course designed to teach them and test their knowledge before they can receive certification. An FMP certificate is the starting point for future facility management professional certification and it provides the broadest overview of facility concepts.
How do I get certified in facility management?
FMP certification starts by enrolling in the certification course offered by IFMA. It’s a program designed to provide individuals with interactive study tools, quizzes and case studies, assignments, and an assortment of other learning resources—all geared at core facility management concepts. According to IFMA, the FMP course is made up of four foundational modules:
- Finance and business (12 hours)
- Operations and maintenance (10-12 hours)
- Leadership and strategy (10-12 hours)
- Project management (10-12 hours)
These core areas of focus teach professionals the importance of facilities within the context of each modality. For example, FMP candidates learn “how to assess and inspect facility needs” as part of the operations and maintenance module, while also learning how to “integrate people, place and process” with facilities as part of the leadership and strategy module.
An exam caps off each module, so trainees can prove their understanding of core concepts and demonstrate their ability to deploy these concepts. In completing the module, trainees also earn Continuing Education Credits (CEUs). CEUs signify not only their progress toward FMP certification, but their continued strive to maintain a facilities management accreditation in the future.
Why pursue FMP certification?
From an employment standpoint, there are many reasons to pursue FMP certification—whether you’re just starting out in the field or are keeping up with the industry as it evolves. Some of the top reasons to consider FMP certification include:
- Better fundamental understanding of core facility concepts
- Professionals gain more confidence in their job performance
- Continuing education demands keep FMPs attuned to industry best practices
- FMP certification (and other accreditations) stands out on résumés
- FMPs can command a higher salary due to their formalized education
- Certification opens the door to upward mobility, including higher accreditations
FMP certification, at its core, is a form of professional development, which means career advancement in every conceivable way. Whether it’s unlocking upward mobility and higher pay or bringing a new level of success to their current position, FMPs represent an upper echelon of facility professionals.
Companies are looking for FMPs
There’s another reason to consider FMP certification: because companies are looking for it. In an era when the workplace is transitioning into something new and the way employees interact with it is more dynamic than ever, companies need leaders. They’re looking for professionals who have a deep, fundamental understanding of how facilities connect to every other aspect of operations. They’re finding that expertise in FMP candidates.
The skills imbued in a certification course and the emphasis on ongoing education that comes with accreditation put FMPs on the front lines of reshaping the workplace of the future. From flex work accommodations to agile work environments, FMPs are helping companies connect the dots. It goes back to the four modules of FMP certification:
- How do the cost of facilities impact business operations?
- What is the maintenance demands of facilities?
- What workplace strategies best support employees?
- How can the company improve facilities?
These questions aren’t just important right now—they’re ongoing questions every company needs to ask. Having an FMP on staff means getting answers. In this way, companies see FMP as a valuable path to improvement, which means high demand for professionals who possess this certification.
FMP is worth the certification
While it takes several months and dozens of committed study hours, FMP certification is well worth the investment for professionals serious about success in the field of facilities management. It’s an investment in professional development that will pay dividends quickly and far into the future—especially as the role of FMPs becomes more important in a workplace in transition.
Keep reading: Ins and Outs of Facility Management Certification.
By Jonathan Davis
Jonathan writes about asset management, maintenance software, and SaaS solutions in his role as a digital content creator at Eptura. He covers trends across industries, including fleet, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality, with a focus on delivering thought leadership with actionable insights. Earlier in his career, he wrote textbooks, edited NPC dialogue for video games, and taught English as a foreign language. He hold a master's degree in journalism.
