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.
Note: NAHRO’s Ethics is now on-demand with Ethics for Housers, and this course fulfills the Ethics requirement for NAHRO Certification.
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 (1.0 CEUs) 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 Management Training OR On-demand Ethics for Housers 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, Ethics for Management Training OR On-demand Ethics for Housers 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: