Certified Management Executive (CME)
NAHRO’s Certified Management Executive (CME) designation demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills and ability necessary for
- Understanding the relationship and differences between supervising, managing, and leading, as well as identifying when each is most effective and necessary.
- Applying a variety of models, tools, strategies, and techniques to enhance leadership skills and build leadership competencies.
- Differentiating the roles of the Executive Director, senior management, and the Board when developing the agency’s mission, vision, values, strategic goals, and ethical norms.
- Improving and creating paradigms using a proven strategic planning model to significantly improving their organization’s ability to think strategically, meet its goals, and improve its operational systems and processes.
How do I get the NAHRO Certified Management Executive (CME)?
NAHRO has two paths to becoming Certified! Please refer to the chart below to determine the path that works best for you.
Certification Requirements
| Education & Experience | High School Diploma or Equivalent AND 6 months of experience OR Associates degree and above (Six months of experience not required) |
| Specialist Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Executive Management and Leadership (EML) Training along with ten (10) additional hours of NAHRO training. |
| Prior Certification as one of the following: | NAHRO Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM) NAHRO Certified Public Housing Manager (C-PHM) Certified Manager of Property Operations (CMPO) Certified Manager of Voucher Operations (CMVO) |
| Ethics Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training |
| Exam | Passing score on NAHRO’s Certified Management Executive (CME) Certification Exam |
| Application | Submission of Certification Application |
Requirement to waive the management training/certification prerequisites and sit for the exam:
To waive the management training requirement, participants must have fifteen (15) or more years of experience in a senior management position (CEO, Executive Director, Deputy Director, or Department Director.) They must also have demonstrated knowledge in all the following:
- Management and leadership of staff within a department, division, group, community, or team.
- Federal, state, and local laws and regulations pertaining to affordable housing development, program management, and compliance.
- Ethical management and leadership practices.
- Managing and coping with difficult personnel and performance related challenges.
- Critical decision-making skills and practices.
- Effective relationship building and collaboration.
- Well-developed leadership styles.
- Enhanced and effective communication style and practices.
- The ability to establish a highly motivating and creative work environment and brand.
- The tools necessary for exercising effective management and leadership skills.
NOTE: Individuals waiving the training and certification prerequisites still have the following requirements:
| Education & Expereince | High School Diploma or Equivalent |
| Ethics Training | Completion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training |
| Exam | Passing score on NAHRO’s Certified Management Executive (CME) Certification Exam |
| Application | Submission of Certification Application |
If you are unsure if you are eligible to waive the specialist training requirement, please email professionaldevelopment@nahro.org or call 202-589-7211.
All applicants must understand the importance of, and agree to adhere to, NAHRO’s Professional Code of Conduct.
Recertification:
2.5 NAHRO CEUs (25 training hours) required every 3 years from date of certification
For further information regarding NAHRO Certification, contact: