I was looking to take the OM designation exam this fall, however I saw that the entire program is changing.

 

Is it still worth taking the exam or is it better to wait and see what information will come out for the new program in 2017? I want to use my money wisely as I need to pay for this myself.

At this point in time, we don't know which option will be cheaper.

For myself, personally, I would have taken the exam, but that's because I love a challenge and learning new things and I wouldn't have wanted to wait, since I wouldn't be sure what was coming (better the devil you know than the one you don't, you know?). Since I usually set my goals with time based deadlines (i.e., had I set this goal, I would have set it for 2016 and I would have wanted to achieve it in 2016), I would have gone forward with the test.

However, that's ultimately a personal decision. Until more information is posted, no one but you can say what is the best choice for yourself.

Hello Kurt,

Whether you sit for the OM exam in September or wait until next year all depends upon what you are wanting from the program.

Currently, as you know, OM is a scenario-based exam that candidates prepare for independent of any educational program. The new OM certificate will be an online educational program, where we will take candidates through the concepts and practical application of Organizational Management, including supervisory skills, communication and team building. It will be over 8 weeks, facilitated by an instructor, with assessments to verify mastery of the topics.

The credential will be the same OM certificate, which is only available for CAP designees.

I hope this information is helpful.
Barbara

Barbara,

This 8 week online course - will it be at your own time or will it be on a specific date time only? I was going to wait until next year to pursue my OM but if it's going to be only one set time/date for classes I won't be able to guarantee my work and other obligations will allow for it so I would rather sit for the test in September. Thanks.

Hello V,

The program will be offered several times during the year. It is asynchronize, which means there will be due dates for assessments and projects but participants will not be required to be online at a specific time.

More information about this program will be available next month.

Thank you,
Barbara

Hi Barbara,

Just to clarify... If you are already CAP certified, then you will be able to use the OM certification designation as well, i.e. CAP-OM? Some people are saying that once the OM program/exam changes that the OM designation can't be used any more. Is this true?

Thanks!

Hi Patricia,

Clarification: OM is a specialty assessment-based certificate only for CAP designees. We are just change the format of assessment using an interactive online course rather than a proctored examination.

OM was never a certification. It was changed to a certificate when IAAP moved away from two certifications (CSP and CAP) in 2011 to one certification (CAP) with specialty areas OM and TA.

Designees can include specialty designations after CAP. It is not required but many prefer to add them, since it shows mastery in additional areas of content.

I hope this helps.

I sincerely thought that OM was a specialty. I am surprised to learn that it was not.

OM IS a specialty.

Hi, Fe,

OM is still a specialty; one of many that IAAP now offers. OM was never a separate certification, which may have caused some confusion in the past.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact me directly at rachel.reynolds@iaap-hq.org.

Thank you!