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Frequently Asked Questions | The Value of the CGMS Credentials | Eligibility
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The following table summarizes the differences between a certification/credential and a certificate: |
Certification/Credential | Certificate |
Results from an assessment process | Results from an educational process |
Typically requires some amount of professional experience | For both newcomers and experienced professionals alike |
Awarded by a third-party, standard-setting organization | Awarded by training and education programs or institutions |
Indicates mastery/competency as measured against a defensible set of standards, usually by application or exam | Course content set a variety of ways (faculty committee; dean/ instructor; occasionally through defensible analysis of topic area) |
Typically result in a designation to use after one’s name, e.g., CPA; may result in a document to hang on the wall or keep in a wallet | Usually listed on a resume detailing education; may result in a document to hang on the wall |
Has ongoing requirements to maintain; individual must demonstrate knowledge of content; holder must demonstrate he/she continue to meet requirements | Is the end result; individual may or may not demonstrate knowledge of course content at the end of a set period in time |
What are the eligibility requirements to take the test?
- Three (3) years of full-time* grants management experience in the last ten years** coupled with a Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution of higher education or equivalent foreign degree that would allow you to qualify for a master’s or doctoral degree program at an accredited U.S. college or university; or,
- Five (5) years of full-time* grants management experience in the last ten years**.
* Full-time is defined as 32 hours per week or more.
** Grants management experience includes any and all activities covered by the Grants Management Body of Knowledge, a summary of which is available on the NGMA website (www.ngma.org) and in Appendix B of the CGMS Candidate Handbook
What if my experience is not 100% grants management?
If your job experience is not 100% grants management, you can apply simple math to calculate if you meet the number of year’s experience needed. For example: If you have been working in a position for 7.5 years where just 40 percent of your time was spent on grants, you would multiply .40 by 90 months, which equals 36 months, or three years. However, please remember that you may be selected for audit and asked to provide verification of the information you used to calculate your experience.
Is the CGMS only for people who work in government agencies?
No, the CGMS is not only for people who work in government agencies. The CGMS is for anyone who works in the field of grants management. You can be from a nonprofit, foundation, private firm that offers grant services, local, state, tribal or Federal agency, or any another type of organization.
How do I apply?
An online application is available through the NGMA website HERE. You will want to download a copy of the Candidate Handbook and read it thoroughly before beginning the process.
Where do I take the CGMS exam?
The computer-based CGMS exam can be taken at hundreds of testing sites throughout the country. A choice of locations near you will be listed as you schedule your exam.
How can I prepare for the CGMS exam?
You can prepare for the CGMS exam in a number of ways. Participation in NGMA trainings (such as GMBoK training) is one way to prepare for the exam (but that is NOT required in order to sit for the exam). You may also purchase a Practice Test for $50, which will provide you with strengths and weaknesses by domain. The practice test is 40 questions. Although NGMA does not formally endorse training opportunities and training providers, it recognizes that there are entities in addition to NGMA, including a number of NGMA’s Corporate Alliance partners, whose trainings may help individuals prepare for the CGMS exam.
Where can I purchase the Grants Management Body of Knowledge (GMBoK) Guide?
The GMBoK Guide, which reviews the full lifecycle of grants management is available as a printed resources guide in color or black/white at a nominal fee. The GMBoK Guide is also available as a free, online, searchable document for our members via here. You must log in first in order to access the online GMBoK Guide.
While the GMBoK Guide does not teach to the exam, it does share a wealth of information on the full lifecycle of grants management to help you prepare for the exam.
Where/When will GMBoK training be held?
Can I pass the CGMS exam without taking any training courses?
While training courses are very helpful and will greatly increase your chances of passing the exam on your first try, it may be possible to pass the exam if you thoroughly study the subject areas cited in the CGMS Candidate Handbook.
How long is the CGMS credential valid?
Once you pass your exam, your CGMS credential is valid for three (3) years from the date that you pass the credentialing exam.
What is required to maintain your CGMS credential?
To maintain your CGMS credential, you must obtain a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education credits within a three (3) year period (between date you pass the exam and the time of your renewal).
If I conduct a workshop, write an article, or do something else that does not offer continuing education credits but supports continuing education, will this count?
Most likely, yes. However, you should refer to the Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Credits Guidance.