What is the difference between an “Accredited” floodplain manager and a “Certified” floodplain manager?

ACCREDITATION

Act 745 of 2003 (A.C.A. § 15-24-109) established “Accreditation of floodplain administrators.” The Arkansas Natural Resources Commission (ANRC) established “Rules Governing the Arkansas Natural Resources Commission’s Floodplain Administrator Accreditation Program, Title 18”, effective date November 29, 2003. These rules can be viewed/downloaded from the ANRC website

Under the floodplain administrator “Accreditation” program:

  1. Each community which has adopted floodplain management regulations (generally through participation in the National Flood Insurance Program - NFIP) must designate a person to serve as “floodplain administrator”.
  2. The floodplain administrator may serve one or more communities and be either full-time or part-time, or contracted.
  3. If the floodplain administrator position becomes vacant, the community must notify ANRC within 30 days and appoint a new floodplain administrator within 60 days.
  4. The floodplain administrator is required to undergo 8 hours of annual continuing education.
  5. The community is required to provide an annual administrative fee of $20 per year ($30 for the first year).

Once the floodplain administrator has provided evidence of continuing education and the community has provided the annual renewal fee, the floodplain administrator is “Accredited”. “accreditation” is from July 1 to June 30. Continuing education and renewal fees are due before July 1 of each year.

ANRC provides 10-12 FREE daylong workshops around the State each year. Other training may be substituted in the form pre-approved workshops and conference. ANRC will mail a registration package each year indicating workshop and conference sites.

CERTIFICATION

“Certification” is for individuals who are interested in achieving a higher level of professional recognition. It entails submitting a separate application, paying an application fee and passing a 120 question exam. The person who successfully passes the exam becomes a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM®). CFM® is a registered trademark of the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM). The CFM® program is managed by the Arkansas Floodplain Management Association (AFMA). CFMs are recognized nationally.

CFMs are local officials as well as private sector engineers, surveyors, planners, etc.

Whenever ANRC sends out annual “Accreditation” registration package, any local floodplain administrator who is also a CFM must return the renewal form, but the annual $20 fee and verification of continuing education are waived. There is a line on the renewal form that allows the CFM to put his/her CFM number and acknowledge “certification”.

For more information on the State Floodplain Administrator Accreditation program, go to For information on the Certified Floodplain Manager program, go to

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