DMCP Program
Exam Information
I. Dates to sit for the exam
- Offered at the ADME Annual Conference and possibly during the summer. Deadlines for the next exam are posted on the website, www.dmcpinfo.org
II. Costs
- Download the Acrobat enrollment file at www.dmcpinfo.org
- Enrollment fee: $25 members, $50 non members
- Application fee $US125 for ADME members, $200 for non-members. Includes a packet of information that includes the process of earning points, documentation to keep track of your point accumulation, application requirements, a list of resource materials and an order form for materials to use in preparation for the exam. Note: The application is now electronic. You will receive an Acrobat file which you will need to complete and submit electronically.
- Testing fee: $300 (plus the cost of travel, etc) $400 non members
- Membership in ADME is not required. You pay the lower member fees if anyone in your company is a member.
III. Timing
- You have two years after application is accepted to take the DMCP exam.
IV. Qualification to take the test
- The application form lists all the requirements.
- Combination of time in the industry, work experience and your "activity level" in your own DMC and in the industry.
- You must have been in the industry for 3 years, or have a bachelor’s degree with an industry related major from a major university.
- You must be employed in the industry when you take the exam.
- You must have a minimum of 90 points out of a possible 150 as a result of your program management experience, membership in various organizations, speaking assignments, teaching opportunities, panelist activities, awards, participation on industry committees, MPI meetings, etc.
- There are deadlines for each test. It is your responsibility to get all of this information from ADME and meet the requirements by the deadlines stated.
- All applications and accompanying forms must be submitted electronically.
- It is your responsibility to obtain, understand and follow all of the directions. They are more detailed than the summation listed here.
V. Points are awarded in five different areas
Experience
- Points accrue based on your experience (the more you are involved in project management, the more points you earn, multiplied by a factor of the number of years that you worked in each area.). Program operation gets more points than if you were in administrative support. (35 points possible)
Management
- Supervision: you earn points for those whom you manage. (5 points maximum)
- Service and functions you performed (20 points maximum)
- Scope (size and number) of programs you supervised (30 points maximum)
Education
- Points for college degree, hospitality degrees earn extra points (10 points maximum)
- Continuing Education. One point for 10 hours of class time in our field, for 20 hours of sales/administrative classes, college credits, ten chapter meetings (MPI etc), ADME annual conference
- Other points for other efforts. See the application for details and examples
- Formal internship: 2 points for each 250 hours up to 1000 hrs. (10 points maximum)
Membership
- Your membership(s) in organizations for the last 5 years. Keep copies of your membership cards for the application.
- Organizations must be related to the industry.
Professional Contributions
- Authoring / Publishing. National publications get more weight than regional ones. (5 points maximum)
- Teaching and Speaking. When you volunteer, keep a copy of your program that lists you as an instructor, speaker or panelist. (10 points maximum) Speaking at internal meetings does not count for credit.
- Professional Awards. Honors from your peers (Best Corporate Event, etc.) or other certifications (CMP, CSEP, etc.) (5 points maximum)
- Leadership positions in industry organizations, chapters or affiliates. (10 points maximum)
Essay
- You must complete a 150 word (or less) essay that describes your involvement and why DMCP designation is important to you.
Recommendations / References
- You must have two letters of recommendation. One from a client, one from an industry professional, along with three business references.
VI. The test
- The exam has 150 questions based on DMCP Body of Knowledge areas.
- Each exam is different from another. No two are the same
- All questions are multiple-choice, with four possible answers of which only one is correct.
- You have 3 hours to complete the test
- You either Pass or Fail; there is no "grade".
- Results are sent within 60 days of the test.
- If you don't pass the first time, you may register to take it again within the two year eligibility period. There is a retesting fee of $US100 each time you try.
VII. Weighting
The exam is weighted as follows (Body of Knowledge):
1. The Destination Management Company – 13%
- The DMC
- Pricing Strategies
- Technology Utilization
- Ethics and Standards
- E-business
2. Program Management –30%
- Facilities / Venues – room setup, décor, etc.
- Site Selection – off-site, Convention Center, etc.
- Food and Beverage
- Program Planning/SOS
- Special Events – off-site, themed events, props/décor
- Registration
3. Special Services – 17%
- Entertainers / Entertainment / Speakers
- Production – staging, audio / visual, props
- Other – security, amenities, gifts, invitations
- Children’s / Youth Programs
4. Transportation – 20%
- Transportation Services
- Tours – spouse / guest, youth / child
5 Insurance and Legal Issues – 10%
- Federal, state, county
- Licensing / hold harmless
- Liability, liquor liability laws
- ADA compliance
- Music licensing
6. Terminology / Glossary – 10%
VIII. Resources The following publications are required study materials for the exam
- The Guide to Successful Destination Management
- The Glossary for The Guide to Successful Destination Management
- The CIC Manual: 8th Edition
IX. Recertification
- Your certification is good for a period of 5 years, during which you may use the DMCP designation after your name.
- The fee for recertification is currently $US250
- If you choose not to file your recertification papers in a timely manner, you will lose the right to use the DMCP designation after your name.