Accredited Certified Public Manager® Programs must consist of a minimum of 300 hours of structured learning activities. There shall be a requirement for participants to complete a public management project, AKA Capstone Project, which includes a written demonstration of participants’ effectiveness in applying the core competencies to their job environment.  The program must evaluate knowledge and practical application in all of the competencies.

Each program shall provide opportunities for participants to apply learning in the work environment. Learning outcomes related to core competencies shall be identified in each course or learning activity. The core curriculum shall address all the following core competencies. The bulleted items below are examples.

Personal and Organizational Integrity
Today, managers must acknowledge their role in shaping organizational ethics and the role they play in creating an organizational climate that strengthens the relationships and reputations on which their organizations success depends. Leaders achieve this by modeling ethical awareness and maintaining a sense of trust through critical and courageous conversations and consistent words and actions.

Managing Work
Work management is a continuous process, where work is strategically aligned to the organizational goals to effectively get things done. By working together leaders empower others through personal responsibility and empowerment allowing an organization to grow and thrive.

Leading People
Exemplary leadership is a way of being, whether one is leading others or leading one's own life. Leadership can be developed; it is a choice to embrace one's authenticity and empower others to act. Leaders provide the vision to accomplish, even the simplest, of tasks of what the organization is trying to accomplish and how they fit into it. Leadership is not managing the demands of each day; it is taking people in a direction.

Developing Self
Personal-development is a lifelong process and can be described as many things, but at its core, is the expansion of self-awareness. Ultimately, personal-development and its results can enhance our quality of life and increase our satisfaction. Personal-development is the process of creating and living one's most authentic life’ – one that’s unique to the individual, their dreams, passions, and needs.

Systemic Integration 
Boosting productivity and improving the workflow of an organization is essential if it is to succeed. Systems integration is a great way to achieve these goals; however, it cannot be achieved without meaningful advocacy and creative innovations, both internally and externally.

Public Service Focus
Public service is a service through collaboration both internally and externally, resulting in a quality stakeholder experience. It exudes trust and stewardship for the common good by contributing to the common good through accountability and transparency.

Change Leadership
Change agents promote and support a new way of doing something within the organization by inspiring others through advocacy. Change agents embrace the agility to navigate the rapidly increasing change and the growing complexity of today's rapidly changing world.

Download NCPMC Competencies Adopted 10-20.docx

Each course offered through an accredited CPM program must be competency-based (as of 10/2020).