Thinking about becoming CMP or SCMP certified? Here’s how to get started.
Written by Sia Papageorgiou, FRSA, FCSCE, IABC Fellow, SCMP. Sia is a certified Strategic Communication Management Professional (SCMP), Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and former Chair of the Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC). She is an internationally respected voice on strategic communication, communication governance, leadership and alignment. In 2026, she was named an IABC Fellow, the highest honour bestowed by the International Association of Business Communicators. She was also named IABC Asia-Pacific Communicator of the Year in 2021 and received the prestigious Rae Hamlin Award in 2022.
Professional certification is one of the most meaningful ways to demonstrate your knowledge, experience and commitment to strategic communication.
The Global Communication Certification Council (GCCC) offers two internationally recognised certifications:
CMP (Communication Management Professional) – for communication professionals who are building and applying strategic communication knowledge in practice.
SCMP (Strategic Communication Management Professional) – for experienced strategic advisors leading communication at the organisational level.
Both certifications are competency-based and aligned with international ISO standards.
Step 1: Decide which certification is right for you
The best way to determine which certification aligns with your current level of practice is to review the Job Task Analysis (JTA) for each certification.
The JTA outlines the knowledge, skills and competencies expected of successful candidates. It will help you identify the certification that’s right for you, assess your readiness and identify any capability gaps before applying.
Step 2: Check your eligibility
Once you’ve identified the certification that’s right for you, review the eligibility requirements to confirm you meet the minimum professional experience and training criteria before applying.
If you haven’t yet completed the required training clock hours for certification eligibility, you’ll need to do so before submitting your application. Step 4 outlines a range of resources that can help you prepare for certification, including learning options that contribute towards your eligibility requirements
Step 3: Prepare your application
Once you’ve confirmed you’re eligible, complete your online application through the GCCC website.
Your application will ask you to demonstrate how your professional experience and training meet the certification requirements.
Step 4: Prepare for the exam
Certification is designed to assess professional competence.
Many candidates prepare by reviewing the Global Standard, Candidate Handbook, Job Task Analysis and IABC Code of Ethics, as well as studying the recommended resources and participating in structured learning.
Resources include:
Certification Learning Paths (Plan, Advise and Lead) – designed to strengthen strategic communication capability in the areas covered by certification.
Certification Masterclass – an intensive program focused specifically on preparing candidates for the CMP and SCMP exams.
CMP/SCMP Study Guide – a comprehensive resource to support independent exam preparation.
Additional certification resources – a curated collection of study resources and other materials to support your certification journey.
The Certification Learning Paths and Certification Masterclass are currently scheduled primarily for North American and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) time zones. However, additional cohorts can be delivered for Asia-Pacific participants where there is sufficient demand.
Step 5: Sit the certification exam
Once you’ve completed the exam, you’ll receive your official result and a score report showing your performance across each of the examination domains. The exam is assessed on a pass/fail basis, and while you won’t be told which individual questions you answered correctly or incorrectly, the score report can help you identify areas of strength and areas for further development.
If you pass, congratulations – you’ll be awarded your CMP or SCMP certification. If you don’t pass on your first attempt, you can retake the exam. Either way, the results provide useful insight into your professional capability and where you may want to continue developing.
For more information about exam results, score reports and retaking the exam, see pages 17–18 of the GCCC Candidate Handbook.
Step 6: Maintain your certification
Certification doesn’t end when you pass the exam.
Certification is an ongoing commitment to professional excellence. CMP and SCMP holders renew their certification through continuing professional development, ensuring their knowledge remains current and they continue to grow throughout their careers.
Maintaining your certification
Need help deciding where to start?
Whether you’re still deciding between the CMP and SCMP or you’re ready to begin preparing for the exam, the resources on this page are designed to guide you through each stage of the certification journey.
If you’re still unsure, start with the CMP Job Task Analysis or the SCMP Job Task Analysis for your preferred certification, then use the learning resources to build any knowledge or skill areas before applying or sitting the exam.
