Who is Eligible to Participate?

• Eligible candidates for the Ohio Certified Public Manager (OCPM) program must supervise staff, manage, influence or participate in your unit/program's budget** and be exempt from bargaining units.
• Participation is voluntary, dependent on approval by the candidate's government agency. Eligible government agencies are municipal, county, township, federal, special district, state and regional governments.
• Candidates for the OCPM program must commit to completing the entire program, usually within a two-year period.
• Candidates for the OCPM program must complete the required application and receive the endorsements of her/his immediate supervisor or division/office chief and agency director or designee.
• The rigor of the CPM program requires a high degree of conceptual ability, reading comprehension and written and verbal communication skills.

If you have questions regarding your eligibility for the OCPM Program, please call (614) 728-5429 or 466-4855.

OCPM Application

OCPM Application Instructions

First, secure approval through your agency. Second, complete the Training Application including your signature in the agreement section if you are using the Exempt Professional Development program funds for state employees of Ohio. Then check that all requirements listed below are completed.

• Applications must contain all requested signatures, information and attachments. 
• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• The candidate must provide the following documents as a separate attachment package to the application:
  • A resume or curriculum vitae that includes positions you have held with government agencies, your managerial positions and educational background.
  • Two (2) letters of recommendation.
    • One letter must be from the immediate supervisor and the other must be from the agency director or authorized designee:
    • The letters must signify approval for release time, endorsement and indicate the employee to be:
      • A high performer who can handle the additional challenges and demands of the program (one team project and several assignments completed out of of class),
      • An individual who demonstrates sufficient skills to be successful with producing the three program deliverables – (oral and written communications skills; critical thinking abilities; and strategic thinking abilities.