Certified Municipal
Official Program

In early 1994, the Executive Committee of the Alabama League of Municipalities unanimously voted to appoint a subcommittee to study the feasibility of establishing a certification program for elected municipal officials. In July 1994, the Executive Committee agreed to the subcommittee's recommendation and approved the League's CMO program. The League's CMO program was the second elected municipal officials training program in the country.

The Elected Officials Education Program is voluntary and open to all elected municipal officials. The League conducts a one-day continuing education session at least twice a year at four regional sites. These sessions are for elected municipal officials – mayors and councilmembers – who voluntarily wish to receive formal training in municipal government. Participants earn 5 credit hours by attending these sessions. Credit hours may also be earned by attending other League or National League of Cities conferences or through service on League committees and boards. Outside credit is also awarded for attendance of approved seminars.

Any official who earns 40 credit hours in the program will be awarded the designation of Certified Municipal Official (CMO). Currently, 2823 elected municipal officials are enrolled in this program. There have been 772 elected municipal officials to complete the basic 40 hours of training required for the CMO designation. There have been 326 officials to complete their advanced hours.

In response to requests from CMO graduates, an Advanced CMO Program was established in early 1997. This program allows elected municipal officials who have achieved the basic CMO designation to obtain additional training. Several seminars are conducted each year for the Advanced CMO Program.

Graduates of the Advanced CMO program can retain their status by obtaining 10 hours of continuing CMO credit during a two year period.

For additional information on either program, contact Cindy Price at 334-262-2566.