Increase your FM team's confidence,
capability & credibility

A: ProFM training and the credential can help provide immediate impact for anyone who works within or in conjunction with the facility management industry. Stefanie Driscoll, VP of Client Relations at Ferrandino & Son Inc. (Connex member and FM services supplier) said her team found the most value in expanding their understanding of FM knowledge and skills to better understand what their FM customers need and how to better meet those needs. You can hear more about how suppliers can benefit from FM training in this recent episode of the FM Evolution Podcast featuring Connex Members from Ferrandino & Son Inc.

A: ProFM is the most significant project in years focused on supporting the FM profession, and the success and upward career mobility of facility professionals. Today’s facility professionals need to be equipped with broad spectrum FM knowledge and strategic business skills. There is no other credential that currently meets that need. ProFM is: 

• Comprehensive: The ProFM Body of Knowledge includes 19 functional areas and five cross-functional competencies that have never before been combined together into one complete program. 
• Applicable: ProFM focuses not only on enhancing your knowledge, but also building practical application skills. 
• Global: ProFM’s Body of Knowledge reflects the globalization of the FM industry from the incorporation of global FM ISO standards, the perspective of international ProFMI Commission members, and input from facility professionals in 93 countries. 
• Relevant/Current: The ProFM Body of Knowledge, developed in 2017, is the most current and relevant standard for facility professionals. It goes beyond the traditional definition of FM to reflect the knowledge and skills required of today’s facility professionals. 
• Independent: ProFM was built by the ProFMI Commission, an independent and voluntary group of respected Facility Management industry leaders, experts, and practitioners who have come together with the common goal of elevating and uniting the FM profession. 

A: ProFMI has created a Convince Your Boss Toolkit to help you illustrate and highlight the benefits of ProFM education and credentialing for your organization. You can download and customize the toolkit here. 

A: All Connex members receive 10% off the ProFM Credential Program. To receive your exclusive member discount, visit our Connex ProFM store and use code CONNEX10 at checkout. Visit the store here.

A: Absolutely! ProFM training is offered in a few different ways, other than self-study: 

• Coached Self-Study: Enjoy Self-Study flexibility while providing the structured support and accountability of seven 1-hour online sessions led by a ProFM-credentialed expert instructor.

• Instructor-Led: Take advantage of structured, in-depth courses offered by Global Education Partners while networking with other FMs.
• Group Team Training: Have a group of two or more? We will help you create a customized training program. Contact Beth Fasching at +1.651.905.2608 or [email protected]

A: We have teamed up with PayPal Credit to allow qualified individuals to pay for the ProFM Credential Program over 6 months, interest free. At this time, PayPal Credit is only available to U.S. residents.

Visit https://store.profmi.org/connex/payment-plan.html for complete details and steps to order.

A: To ensure that your knowledge is kept relevant and up-to-date, you will be required to renew your ProFM credential every three years.

• You must earn a minimum of 45 contact hours of continuing education related to the FM
  profession or “renewal credits” for each renewal cycle.
• Renewal credits will be awarded for FM professional development related to the individual,
  the organization, and/or the profession.
• A small renewal fee of US$99 will be applicable every 3 years.
• A predetermined percentage of credential holders will be audited annually.

Visit www.ProFMi.org/renewal for complete details.

A: The length of time it takes to earn the credential will depend on your chosen study method, your level of experience, how quickly you read, and other factors. However, we estimate that most candidates can complete the online training and assessments within 55-60 total hours.

A: Significant savings of $370 or more start with groups of 2+. Pricing based on group size and delivery option. Contact Beth Fasching at +1.651.905.2608 or [email protected] for government and non-profit pricing. 

A: ProFM has a number of significant differences from IFMA’s Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential.

• The FMP teaches four of IFMA’s eleven FM topic areas. ProFM teaches all 24 knowledge areas and cross-functional competencies required of FM professionals included in the ProFM Body of Knowledge.

• ProFM is designed to fill the knowledge gaps of FM professionals at all career stages, providing exposure to the full spectrum of FM topics and business strategies that you may not have been exposed to through your work experience.
• The ProFM Body of Knowledge was created in 2017 and reflects the most current requirements of FM professionals. The ProFM will be reviewed on an annual basis to ensure it covers emerging trends and best practices.
• ProFM has a 3-year term of validity. The  credential maintenance requirements  are designed to keep your knowledge and skills up-to-date through practical and convenient professional development activities.

Additionally, ProFMI know and respect the value of the CFM certification, which is why the ProFM is not positioned to compete with it. Rather, it has been established to elevate the FM industry as a whole. Furthermore, the ProFM and CFM credentials are different in very significant ways:

• The ProFM credential is a knowledge-based designation, focused on building knowledge and skills. IFMA’s CFM is an experience-based certification, designed to validate knowledge and experience by passing the proctored CFM exam.
• ProFM is created as a universal credential, not only in its global reach and content, but also in its applicability to FMs at any point in their career.
• The ProFM Body of Knowledge, created in 2017 with input from over 3,300 professionals in 93 countries, covers 19 FM knowledge areas and 5 cross-functional competencies. The CFM exam is based on IFMA’s 11 core competencies.

The ProFM Institute conducted extensive research as we explored the potential for this credential, and found that of the 3.2 million FM professionals in the United States, less than two percent hold an FM credential. That tells us the market is currently under-served, both here and around the world. We want to help change that.

The FM industry includes many practitioners who are unaffiliated with a specific association, but still want to enhance their capabilities. We’re confident that the ProFM designation is that tool, allowing facility professionals to advance their careers and the important industry they serve.

A: Yes, ProFM was developed to meet the needs of FM professionals and employers. A number of well-known and well-respected FM employers from around the world contributed to the development of ProFM. In fact, our ProFM research study gathered input from professionals representing over 1,800 unique employers.

There are a number of reasons why employers have already committed their support to ProFM:

• ProFM sets a global standard for the profession: By creating a globally accepted standard for today’s evolved profession, employers can confidently evaluate their staff against these standards and provide training to fill knowledge and skill gaps with ProFM.
• ProFM offers employers a way to evaluate and train staff: ProFM offers broad FM training and business strategies while providing an independent verification of the knowledge and skills required of today’s facility professionals.
• ProFM builds a broad spectrum of FM and business skills to fill retirement gaps: With the most senior facility professionals preparing to retire, there is a critical need for new and mid-career professionals to expand their skill set and prepare for leadership.
• ProFM offers an independent market view of FM: ProFM was developed by facility professionals, for facility professionals. Respected FM thought leaders, employers, and working professionals came together to identify the knowledge and skills required of today’s facility professionals. We are committed to the advancement of the FM profession and its professionals.
• ProFM will continue to represent evolving corporate needs: ProFM is developing a corporate advisory board to ensure the credential and training remain relevant and current to industry needs.