Certification & Training

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.

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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. 

Your Path to Become NAHRO Certified Management Executive (CME) Flow Chart  There are two paths to become NAHRO CME Certified.  Path 1: If you do not have fifteen or more years of experience in a senior management position (I.e. Executive Director, Deputy Director, or Department Director), you need to take NAHRO Executive Management and Leadership Training. You also need to hold one of the following certifications: NAHRO Certified Maintenance Manager (CMM), NAHRO Certified public Housing Manager (C-PHM), NAHRO Certified Manager of Property Operations (CMPO), or NAHRO Certified Manager of Voucher Operations (CMVO). This path also requires you to receive a passing score on the Executive Management and Leadership Certification Exam, Take NAHRO Ethics for Management Training, and Complete the CME Certification Application.  Path 2: If you have fifteen or more years of experience in a senior management position (I.e., Executive Director, Deputy Director, or Department Director), you may forgo the NAHRO Executive Management and Leadership Training and hold either a CMM, CMPO, C-PHM, or CMVO certification requirement. This path still requires you to receive a passing score on the NAHRO Executive Management and Leadership Training, Take NAHRO Ethics for Management Training, and Complete the CME Certification Application.

Certification Requirements

Education & ExpereinceHigh School Diploma or Equivalent AND 6 months of experience 
OR Associates degree and above (Six months of experience not required) 
Specialist TrainingCompletion 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 TrainingCompletion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training
Exam Passing score on NAHRO’s Certified Management Executive (CME) Certification Exam  
ApplicationSubmission of Certification Application 

Requirement to waive the management training 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 specialist training still have the following requirements: 

Education & ExpereinceHigh School Diploma or Equivalent
Ethics TrainingCompletion of NAHRO’s Ethics for Housing Professionals OR Ethics for Management Training
Exam Passing score on NAHRO’s Certified Management Executive (CME) Certification Exam  
ApplicationSubmission 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:

professionaldevelopment@nahro.org