ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Convention Industry Council announced on Sept. 12 the beginning of the development process for a healthcare subspecialty to the Certified Meeting Professionals program. Development will begin in the next 60 days and it is expected that in the summer of 2013, CMP will have the opportunity to pursue the industry's first healthcare meetings certification.
"The once niche area of healthcare meeting management is growing and CIC is prepared to meet the demand with the creation of a healthcare certification," said Karen Kotowski, CAE, CMP®, Chief Executive Officer of CIC. "Over the next year, CIC will undertake a rigorous development process that includes an in-depth job analysis, assessment of professional qualifications, selection of continuing education requirements and the creation of an examination."
Candidates interested in pursuing the exam must first obtain their CMP. The certification will be built upon the CMP foundation and general meeting planning knowledge is a prerequisite. The new certification will not repeat information included in the CMP, but will test only on those aspects of planning particular to healthcare meetings.
More information regarding qualifications and exam dates will be become available in early 2013, once the development process is well underway.