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 Certified Municipal Official (CMO) program. The League's voluntary CMO program was the second elected municipal officials training program in the country.
On May 3, 2024, Gov. Kay Ivey signed the Alabama Municipal Official Training Act into law. The League drafted the bill, in partnership with sponsors Sen. Jabo Waggoner and Rep. Jim Hill, to support communities by requiring Alabama municipal officials to complete mandatory training. In accordance with Alabama Act 2024-194, all mayors and councilmembers MUST complete 10 hours of training annually for a total of 40 hours during their first term in office beginning after January 1, 2025. Of the 40 hours required in their first term (10 annually) 20 hours must be core curriculum. Each mayor and councilmember who has successfully completed and received their basic CMO certification (40 hours) from the Alabama League of Municipalities is exempt from the 10-hour annual requirement. However, they still must complete five hours of training annually. More information will be added to our website in the coming months about the new law.
The Certified Municipal Official Program is open to all elected municipal officials. The League conducts one-day and multi-day events, specialized webinars and online training. There are approximately 30 credit hours available at in-person conferences and 20 credit hours available by online training. These sessions provide elected municipal officials – mayors and councilmembers – formal training in municipal government. Participants earn five 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, more than 4,000 elected municipal officials have been enrolled in this program. There have been over 1,500 elected municipal officials to complete the basic 40 hours of training required for the CMO designation. There have been 851 officials to complete their advanced hours.
In response to requests from CMO graduates, an Advanced CMO Program was established in 1998. This program allows elected municipal officials who have achieved the basic CMO designation to obtain additional training. Those who have received both their CMO and Advanced CMO designations have the opportunity to obtain the Certified Municipal Official Emeritus designation. The CMO Emeritus is awarded to those who complete a minimum of 120 credit hours of Continuing CMO Education plus 15 points. The CMO Emeritus designation was approved in 2015. Currently, 107 elected municipal officials have completed the requirements for the CMO Emeritus designation.
Graduates of the Advanced CMO and CMO Emeritus program can retain their status by obtaining 20 hours of continuing CMO credit during a three-year period.
For additional information on either program, contact Cindy Price at 334-262-2566.
CMO General Information
Registration forms and payment must be received five (5) calendar days prior to the date of the training session. No on-site registrations will be accepted due to catering requirements. NOTE: All handout materials will be emailed to attendees either just prior to or immediately following the session. Please provide an email address when you register.
Registration is not limited to elected municipal officials. Registration is open to municipal employees who will benefit from the topics covered.
Cancellation Policy
Full refunds of the registration fee will be made if the registrant cancels 15 or more days prior to the meeting for which he or she is registered. If registrant cancels 10 to 15 days prior to the meeting, a refund of 25% of the registration fee will be made. No partial refunds will be made for cancellations made less than ten (10) days prior to the meeting except for approved medical reasons. Substitutes will be allowed. The League reserves the right to cancel any session for which 30 or fewer participants are registered. Registrants for any cancelled session will be assigned to another session at the location of their choice or the registration fee will be refunded at the choice of the registrant.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Reasonable accommodations will be made for persons with disabilities if requested at least 10 calendar days in advance.
For more information contact Cindy Price at 334-262-2566 or
via email.