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APWA CERTIFICATIONS:WHAT ARE THEY REALLY ALL 

ABOUT?

Keith Duncan, PESenior Project Manager Olathe, KS Public Works

APWA Certification Commissionkrduncan@olatheks.org

VALUE OF CERTIFICATIONValue to the Individual

– Professional Recognition & Respect– Increased Marketability & Hiring Potential– Highlights Leadership & Expertise– Professional & Career Development

Value to the Organization– Credibility & Professionalism– “Raises the Bar for Public Works– Nationwide Network of Professionals– Hiring with Confidence

Value to the Community– Standardized Methods & Procedures– Quality Solutions & Outcomes– Stewardship of Resources– Local Expertise

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3 APWA CERTIFICATIONS

• Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP)

• Certified Public Infrastructure Inspector (CPII)

• Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM)

www.apwa.net/certification

91 Certified

CPFP• Fleet Professionals actively supervise,

manage, oversee and/or administer fleet services within a public or private fleet entity.

• Eligibility requirements were revised in 2014 to include fleet professionals with private fleet experience.

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255 Certified

CPIIPublic Infrastructure Inspectors inspect the construction of public

infrastructure and facilities and other types of construction work

and materials to ensure compliance with plans and

specifications.

95 Certified

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CSMStormwater Managers coordinate and

implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies.

These individuals assist in administering drainage, flood

control, and water quality programs.

WHY APWA CERTIFICATION?

• National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

• Recognizes broad based career competency• Process Integrity - Increases Value

Feasibility Study and Job AnalysisPeer written Exam / subject matter expertsCommission, Council and Committee Oversight

• Focus on Public Works• Computer-Based Testing

Flexibility in Site LocationReduced CostsMore testing Opportunities

• Rigorous - Increases Value

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

• ApplicationEducation / Experience Combination

• ExaminationBased on Content Outline

• Recertification – every 5 yearsContinuing Education

Contributions to the Profession

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CPFP & CSM FEES

• Application Fee:APWA Member – $195 USD

Nonmember – $245 USD

• Examination Fee:Place of Employment – $500 USD

Testing Center – $550 USD

• Recertification Fee: (5 yrs.)APWA Member – $195 USD

Nonmember – $245 USD

CPII FEES

• Application Fee:APWA Member – $95 USD

Nonmember – $145 USD

• Examination Fee:Place of Employment – $300 USD

Testing Center – $350 USD

• Recertification Fee: (5 yrs.)APWA Member – $95 USD

Nonmember – $145 USD

EXAMINATION

• Based on Content Outline

• 150 Questions - Multiple Choice

• Written by Subject Matter Experts

• Reviewed by APWA Peers

• Computer Based ExamPlace of Employment TestingAuthorized Testing Centers

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EXAM PREPARATION• Content Outline • Recommended Reading List • Years of Experience • APWA Training/Study Programs• APWA Study Guide / Sample Exams

Work to have a comprehensive understanding of all areas. Spend time reviewing the “Content Outline” and then target your studying and preparation to those items you feel you need further review in. Some of the items you probably do on a regular basis and those you probably won’t have any problem with. Recognize the items you don’t know as well and spend more time with those.

CONTENT OUTLINE

• Specifies the content of the exam to ensure it accurately reflects what individuals do in a particular job, occupation, or profession

What the test should cover

Relative emphasis of each content area

An outline for study and preparation

I purchased several of the recommended items on the reading list and spent most of my time studying those references. The “Content Outline” gives you all of the topics that you’ll be tested on and I used that as the basis for knowing what to study. That approach worked for me. – CSM

CPII CONTENT OUTLINEI. TESTING, MEASUREMENT, and INSPECTION: 75 items (Recall: 28, Application: 42, Analysis: 5)

A. Underground Construction: 20 items

B. At-Grade Construction: 22 items

C. Structural Construction: 8 items

D. General Construction: 25 items

II. PROJECT PLANNING and MANAGEMENT: 37 items (Recall: 15, Application: 22, Analysis: 0)

A. Planning: 13 items

B. Management: 24 items

III. PROJECT COMPLIANCE and DOCUMENTATION: 38 items (Recall: 10, Application: 23, Analysis: 5)

A. Compliance: 22 items

B. Documentation: 16 items

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CPFP READING LIST1. “Protection of Environment”. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 112.7.

2. “Protection of Environment”. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 261.

3. “Protection of Environment”. Title 40 Code of Federal Regulations, Part 264.193.

4. APWA. The Concise Manual for Calculating Public Fleet Rates. Kansas City: APWA, 2008.

5. APWA. Demonstrating the Value of Your Fleet Management Program. Kansas City: APWA, 2004.

6. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations Pocketbook. Neenah: J.J. Keller & Associates, updated monthly.

7. Dolce, John. Fleet Management. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1984.

8. ICMA. Fleet Management IQ Report. Washington: ICMA. 2002.

9. APWA. Managing Public Equipment. Kansas City: APWA, 2001.

10.Material Safety Data Sheet Center. http://www.msds.com/

11.EPA Automotive Maintenance and Repair Shop: Pollution Prevention Guide. http://www.p2pays.org/ref/14/13056.pdf

12.APWA. Public Fleet Management Training Course. Kansas City: APWA, 2006.

RECERTIFICATION

• Five Year Cycle

• Recertification Fees

• Recertification Requirements– CPFP & CSM = 100 Hours

– CPII = 50 Hours

– Combination of Continuing Education & Contributions to the Profession

– APWA Members’ Library

CSM RECERTIFICATIONMinimum of 100 credits for recertification:

Participation in a public works or stormwater-related association:Chapter/Branch Meeting Attendance = 1 credit per meeting attendedServe as an Officer, Chair, Co-Chair or Committee Member = 10 credits per year Speaker, Instructor or Moderator = 5 credits per session Published Article Less than 500 words = 5 credits per piecePublished Article • 500 words or greater = 10 credits per each printed piece

Continuing Education by APWA, or other associations related to stormwater or public works (includes face-to-face and online delivery).

Each clock hour = 1 creditAnnual Conference Attendance = 6 credits per each day of attendanceApproved Delivery Methods

• Continuing education programs• Courses taken for credit at an accredited college or university.• In-house training programs conducted by your agency or city.• Correspondence programs.• Technical upgrading by manufacturers, vendors or certified school.• Content areas must link back to the CSM Content Outline.

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APWA vs. OTHER CERTIFICATIONS

• I believe this certification is most appropriate for the governmental fleet manager. Certifications offered by private associations dwell on issues that the public fleet manager almost never has to confront. - CPFP

• The CSM certification seems to be more comprehensive than others I’ve seen and considered. APWA has done an excellent job in establishing and maintaining the integrityof this certification. - CSM

• I found the process to be very credible because you don’t just sit in a seminar and get taught the test. I have been through a lot of those and this process was the most “credible” I have experienced. That was my first thought when I completed the test. - CPII

APWA CHAPTER/BRANCH INVOLVEMENT

• Be a Champion

• Presentations about Certification

• Awards/Recognition Program

• Provide Volunteer Opportunities to those Certified

• Chapter Library/Study Groups

• Promote Hiring Preferences/Payroll Incentives

• Financial Scholarships

VALUE OF CERTIFICATIONValue to the Individual

– Professional Recognition & Respect– Increased Marketability & Hiring Potential– Highlights Leadership & Expertise– Professional & Career Development

Value to the Organization– Credibility & Professionalism– “Raises the Bar for Public Works– Nationwide Network of Professionals– Hiring with Confidence

Value to the Community– Standardized Methods & Procedures– Quality Solutions & Outcomes– Stewardship of Resources– Local Expertise

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QUESTIONS?Additional Information:

www.apwa.net/certification

certification@apwa.net