About CSM
The purpose of the Certified Stormwater Manager (CSM) credential is to promote excellence and commitment to public service by advancing the knowledge and practice of stormwater management to benefit the community, public agencies, and the profession.
Who Might Be a Stormwater Manager?
The CSM is intended for experts in the public and private sectors who coordinate and implement stormwater management programs for city, county, state, provincial, and federal agencies.
These individuals are responsible for administering drainage, flood control, and/or water quality programs.
Steps to Certification
Step 1: Eligibility and Preparation
Eligibility Requirements
To demonstrate eligibility, candidates must document the following.
- Completion of one of the following education and work experience pathways:
- High school graduation or equivalent and seven years of relevant work experience.
- Associate degree or equivalent trade school certificate and five years鈥 experience.
- Bachelor鈥檚 degree and three years of relevant work experience.
- Master's degree and two years of relevant work experience.
- Doctoral degree and one year of relevant work experience.
- Agreement in writing to adhere to the 黑料老司机 Standards of Professional Conduct.
- Payment of the application fee.
Eligibility Application Process
- Complete and save the聽CSM Eligibility Application.
- Email the completed digital version to聽certification@apwa.org.
- 黑料老司机 will confirm receipt of the CSM Eligibility Application and notify the candidate of the status of their application via email within 20 business days.
- If proven eligible, the candidate will have 24 months (two years) to sit for the exam before having to requalify.
Eligibility Tools and 黑料老司机
Eligibility Application Fee
黑料老司机 Members: $195
Nonmembers: $245
Preparing for the Exam
The expectation for earning the CSM is a minimum level of competence across all areas of stormwater management:
- Program Management
- Overall Stormwater Management
- Program Administration
- Communication/Education
- Planning and Design
- Water Quality and Quantity
- Regulatory Programs
- Structural Best Management Practices
- Hydrology and Hydraulics
- Operations and Maintenance
The CSM Content Outline details the full list of tasks that are assessed on the exam. The candidate should use the CSM Examination Self-Assessment Form to determine the areas for which additional study may be warranted and develop a study plan focusing on those areas.
No preparatory materials are prerequisites to earning 黑料老司机 certifications, nor does review of the suggested materials provide any guarantees that the candidate will pass the exam. However, reviewing materials can refresh and improve the candidate's understanding of the processes and functions.
Preparation Tools and 黑料老司机
Step 2: Scheduling and Taking the Exam
Scheduling the Exam
- The candidate must sit for the CSM exam prior to expiration of their eligibility period.
- Review the Exam Administration FAQs.
- Select the desired date from the available dates on the Certification Exam Schedule. The exam must be scheduled at least 30 days prior to the candidate's preferred exam date.
- The candidate should determine and secure the preferred location and proctoring administration. The exam can be administered directly to the candidate's place of employment or a of their choosing.
- Complete and save the CSM Exam Application.
- Email the completed digital version to certification@apwa.org.
- 黑料老司机 will confirm receipt of the CSM Exam Application and initiate discussions with the proctor to ensure they are trained, prepared, and software is loaded.
- The candidate and proctor will be notified of the specifics of the schedule within 10鈥14 days of the scheduled exam date.
Taking the Exam
- The computer-based, proctored exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions based on the CSM Content Outline.
- The candidate is given a maximum of 3.5 hours to complete the exam.
Exam Tools and 黑料老司机
Exam Fee
Place of employment administration: $500
Testing center administration: $500 plus any testing center fees paid directly to the center
Step 3: Navigating Certification and Recertification
Congratulations! Earning the CSM is a significant achievement.
Share the Success
A newly certified individual is encouraged to:
- Add their digital badge and certification to their LinkedIn profile.
- Share their accomplishment on social media.
- Add their credential to their name and signature on email, business cards, and social media profiles.
- Send a press release to their local paper.
- Write an article or record a testimonial.
Find Other CSMs Using Our Interactive Map
Recertification
Certification is valid for five years. To maintain certification, the individual must complete a minimum of 100 credits (20 credits per year) earned through a combination of continuing education and contributions to the profession.
Applying for Recertification
Recertification requests must be initiated prior to the end of the individual's certification term. To recertify, the individual should:
- Track their progress via the CSM Recertification Tracking Form.
- Complete and save the CSM Recertification Application.
- Email the completed digital version to certification@apwa.org.
Recertification Tools and 黑料老司机
Recertification Application Fee
黑料老司机 Members: $195
Nonmembers: $245
CSM Certification Spotlight On:
John Schexnayder, P.E., CFM, CSM, Senior Water 黑料老司机 Engineer, Wood Environment & Infrastructure Solutions, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
鈥淚 encourage anyone considering the CSM program to commit to certification. It has proven to be a valuable enhancement to my career, and I have no doubts that it can do the same for any water resources professional.鈥
Questions About the Certification Programs?
Reach out to the Certification team at certification@apwa.org or by phone at 800-848-2792.
Please note: 黑料老司机 Education is independent of 黑料老司机 Certification. 黑料老司机 certification programs are governed by the Certification Commission, a semi-independent certifying body of 黑料老司机. In adherence to certification industry standards, the Commission volunteers are independent and not involved in the development of preparatory programs.
Certification Program Governance