Summary of Requirements for the DMCP Qualifying Exam

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
a. Download the Acrobat enrollment file at www.dmcpinfo.org
b. Enrollment fee: $25 members, $50 non members
c. 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.
d. Testing fee: $300 (plus the cost of travel, etc) $400 non members
e. Membership in ADME is not required. You pay the lower member fees if anyone in your company is a member.

III. Timing
a. You have two years after application is accepted to take the DMCP exam.

IV. Qualification to take the test
a. The application form lists all the requirements.
b. Combination of time in the industry, work experience and your “activity level” in your own DMC and in the industry.
c. 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.
d. You must be employed in the industry when you take the exam.
e. 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.
f. 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.
g. All applications and accompanying forms must be mailed. There are no electronic applications or faxed components allowed.
h. 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
a. 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)

b. Management
a. Supervision: you earn points for those whom you manage. (5 points maximum)
b. Service and functions you performed (20 points maximum)
c. Scope (size and number) of programs you supervised (30 points maximum)

c. Education
a. Points for college degree, hospitality degrees earn extra points (10 points maximum)
b. 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
c. Other points for other efforts. See the application for details and examples
d. Formal internship: 2 points for each 250 hours up to 1000 hrs. (10 points maximum)

d. Membership
a. Your membership(s) in organizations for the last 5 years. Keep copies of your membership cards for the application.
b. Organizations must be related to the industry.

e. Professional Contributions
a. Authoring / Publishing. National publications get more weight than regional ones. (5 points maximum)
b. 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.
c. Professional Awards. Honors from your peers (Best Corporate Event, etc.) or other certifications (CMP, CSEP, etc.) (5 points maximum)
d. Leadership positions in industry organizations, chapters or affiliates. (10 points maximum)

f. Essay
a. You must complete a 150 word (or less) essay that describes your involvement and why DMCP designation is important to you.

g. Recommendations / References
a. You must have two letters of recommendation. One from a client, one from an industry professional, along with three business references.

VI. The test

a. The exam has 150 questions based on DMCP Body of Knowledge areas.

b. Each exam is different from another. No two are the same

c. All questions are multiple-choice, with four possible answers of which only one is correct.

d. You have 3 hours to complete the test

e. You either Pass or Fail; there is no “grade”.

f. Results are sent within 60 days of the test.

g. 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%
a. The DMC
b. Pricing Strategies
c. Technology Utilization
d. Ethics and Standards
e. E-business

2. Program Management –30%
a. Facilities / Venues – room setup, décor, etc.
b. Site Selection – off-site, Convention Center, etc.
c. Food and Beverage
d. Program Planning/SOS
e. Special Events – off-site, themed events, props/décor
f. Registration

3. Special Services – 17%
a. Entertainers / Entertainment / Speakers
b. Production – staging, audio / visual, props
c. Other – security, amenities, gifts, invitations
d. Children’s / Youth Programs

4. Transportation – 20%
a. Transportation Services
b. Tours – spouse / guest, youth / child

5 Insurance and Legal Issues – 10%
a. Federal, state, county
b. Licensing / hold harmless
c. Liability, liquor liability laws
d. ADA compliance
e. Music licensing

6. Terminology / Glossary – 10%

VIII. Resources The following publications are required study materials for the exam
1. The Guide to Successful Destination Management
2. The Glossary for The Guide to Successful Destination Management
3. The CIC Manual: 7th Edition

IX. Recertification
a. Your certification is good for a period of 5 years, during which you may use the DMCP designation after your name.
b. The fee for recertification is currently $US250

DMCP Fees
Member Enrollment - $25
Member Application - $125
Member Registration - $300

Non-member Enrollment - $50
Non-member Application - $200
Non-member Registration - $400

ADME DMCP Exam Schedule Winter 2008
Sheraton New Orleans (just before ADME Annual Conference)
New Orleans, LA

Enrollment to ADME/DMCP – October 18, 2007

Applications to ADME/DMCP – October 29, 2007
Invitations/Denials mailed – November 5, 2007
Application results dispute deadline – November 27, 2007

Registration to ADME to take the DMCP exam in August –
December 17, 2007

Test info mailed – January 10, 2008
Last day to cancel registrations – February 5, 2008
Study session – February 20, 2008

Test – February 21, 2008

Examination concerns – February 1, 2008
Last day for failure to appear reason – February 26, 2008
Test results mailed - by April 10, 2008
Appeal of exam results – within 14 days of receipt of exam results

Why should you participate in a Study Session?

FREE webinar on Steps to Obtaining Your DMCP

WANT MORE INFORMATION?
DMCP Enrollment Form - You need to first enroll in our program. Once you're enrolled, you will receive an Acrobat file with the application form to complete and return to ADME.
DMCP Board
List of DMCP's by Last Name
Reference Materials

Recertification
DMCPs are required to renew their recertification every five years. To be recertified, DMCPs must earn a minimum of 50 points on the DMCP Recertification Application. Candidates must earn a minimum of ten points in each of three sections of the application. The DMCP Recertification Application and fee of $200US is due to the DMCP Program Office no later than October 15 of the year of certification expiration.

Important Note: For the purpose of recertification, all DMCP designations are valid through December 31 of the 5th year following the test date. For example, your certification expires on December 31, 2006 if you received your DMCP certification at any time during 2002. You should then apply for recertification prior to October 15, 2006.

For more information, see the detailed instructions that accompany the Recertification Application

For more information about the DMCP program, please contact:

DMCP PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR
Fran Rickenbach, CAE, IOM
Executive Vice President
ADME
11 W Monument Avenue, Ste 510
Dayton, OH 45402
937.586.3727
Fax: 937.586.3699
adme@meinet.com