Top 11 Maintenance Supervisor Certifications

Certifications are an important way for a maintenance supervisor to demonstrate their knowledge and experience in the field. Employers look for certifications as a measure of an individual’s commitment to their profession. Certifications can also be used as evidence of competence and help ensure that the supervisor is up-to-date on best practices and industry standards. By having certifications, maintenance supervisors can prove their qualifications to employers, stand out from other applicants, and increase their chances of getting hired. Additionally, certifications can lead to higher salaries or job advancement opportunities.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the most beneficial certifications for Maintenance Supervisors and explain how they can help advance their career.

What are Maintenance Supervisor Certifications?

Maintenance supervisor certification is a program designed to help individuals gain the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful maintenance supervisor in the manufacturing, industrial, or service industries. This certification provides supervisors with the technical knowledge and leadership skills required for effective supervision. It covers essential topics such as safety regulations, budgeting, problem solving, employee training, and customer service. Maintenance supervisors who complete this certification have a greater understanding of the industry-specific requirements needed to successfully manage a maintenance team.

This certification helps supervisors develop their technical knowledge in order to better manage complex systems and processes. It also provides them with an understanding of the importance of safety regulations and how they can be implemented within their facility. Additionally, it helps supervisors learn how to effectively supervise employees while providing them with proper training and guidance. This certification also helps supervisors understand how to create budgets that are both cost-effective and beneficial for their operations. Lastly, this certification can help supervisors develop customer service skills that will help them provide better service to customers.

Pro Tip: When considering becoming a maintenance supervisor, make sure to research and understand the requirements for certification in your state. This will help ensure that you are meeting all necessary qualifications and can provide quality service to your customers.

Related: What does a Maintenance Supervisor do?

Top 11 Maintenance Supervisor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Maintenance Supervisors today.

1. Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP)

Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) is a professional certification program offered by the Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP). The CMRP certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated a mastery of knowledge in maintenance, reliability, and physical asset management. This certification is internationally recognized as the standard for excellence in maintenance and reliability professionals.

It typically takes approximately 6-12 months to complete the CMRP exam preparation process. To get certified, an individual must first meet the eligibility requirements, which include having at least three years of experience in maintenance or reliability engineering, or related fields. Once these requirements are met, an individual can register for the exam online through SMRP's website.

The cost of taking the CMRP exam varies depending on whether you are a member or non-member of SMRP. For members, the cost is $450 USD; for non-members, it is $550 USD. Additionally, there may be additional fees associated with retaking the exam if necessary.

2. Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CM&RT)

Certified Maintenance & Reliability Technician (CM&RT) is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful maintenance and reliability technicians. This certification program is offered through the International Society for Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (ISMRP).

The CM&RT certification requires a minimum of two years of experience in the field of maintenance and reliability engineering, or related disciplines, as well as completion of an approved training program. The training program consists of three modules: Introduction to Maintenance & Reliability, Maintenance & Reliability Principles, and Practical Application. The curriculum also includes topics such as safety, root cause analysis, preventive/predictive maintenance techniques, troubleshooting methods, asset management systems, lubrication practices, and more.

The cost of the CM&RT certification varies depending on the individual’s level of experience and education. For those who have less than two years of experience in maintenance or reliability engineering fields, the cost is $1,295 USD. For those with more than two years of experience in these fields but no formal education in them, the cost is $1,495 USD. Those with formal education in these fields can expect to pay $1,695 USD for their certification.

Once all requirements are met and payment has been received by ISMRP, applicants will be sent an exam voucher that must be used within one year from purchase date. Upon passing the exam with a score of 70% or higher applicants will receive their official CM&RT certificate from ISMRP.

3. Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM)

Certified Plant Maintenance Manager (CPMM) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to successfully manage industrial plant maintenance operations. The CPMM certification is administered by the Association of Facilities Engineering (AFE).

The CPMM certification requires applicants to pass a written exam that covers topics such as safety, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting and repair, equipment selection and installation, energy management, and project management. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and must be completed within 2 hours.

To be eligible for the CPMM certification, applicants must have at least 5 years of experience in industrial plant maintenance or related fields. They must also submit proof of their experience in the form of resumes or letters from employers. Additionally, applicants must complete an online application form and pay a fee of $325 USD.

Once all requirements are met, applicants will receive their CPMM certificate within 4-6 weeks. The certificate is valid for 3 years before it needs to be renewed. Renewal requires recertification exams every 3 years at a cost of $150 USD per exam.

4. Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM)

Certified Professional Maintenance Manager (CPMM) is a professional certification program offered by the Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE). The CPMM certification is designed to recognize and validate the knowledge, skills, and abilities of maintenance professionals in the field of facilities engineering.

The CPMM program consists of four courses: Fundamentals of Maintenance Management, Advanced Maintenance Management, Asset Management, and Leadership & Organizational Development. Each course must be completed within a two-year period in order to qualify for the certification. The courses can be taken online or in person at various locations throughout the United States.

In order to qualify for the CPMM certification, applicants must have at least five years of experience in facilities management or related fields. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by AFE that covers topics such as maintenance planning, scheduling, budgeting, and asset management.

The cost of the CPMM program varies depending on whether you take it online or in person. Online courses typically cost around $1,000 per course while in-person courses may cost up to $2,500 per course. Additionally, there is a one-time application fee of $95 and an annual renewal fee of $50.

5. Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE)

A Certified Reliability Engineer (CRE) is a professional designation awarded by the American Society for Quality (ASQ) to individuals who demonstrate a high level of knowledge and expertise in reliability engineering. Reliability engineering is the application of engineering principles, procedures, and techniques to ensure that products, services, and systems meet or exceed customer expectations for safety, performance, and dependability.

The CRE certification requires a minimum of three years of experience in reliability engineering or related fields such as quality assurance or manufacturing. Candidates must also pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and covers topics such as reliability theory and applications, design for reliability, data analysis techniques, failure modes and effects analysis, risk management strategies, preventive maintenance concepts and practices, system life cycle management processes, and more.

The cost of the CRE certification is $395 USD for ASQ members or $495 USD for non-members. It typically takes two to four weeks to receive results from the exam.

6. Six Sigma Green Belt Certification

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have achieved a high level of proficiency in the Six Sigma methodology. It is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead successful Six Sigma projects and initiatives.

The certification process typically takes between three and six months to complete, depending on the individual's commitment and dedication. The first step is to complete an online course or attend an instructor-led course, which covers topics such as project management, quality management systems, process improvement techniques, data analysis tools, problem solving methods, and more. After completing the coursework, individuals must pass a written exam in order to receive their certification.

In order to get certified as a Six Sigma Green Belt, individuals must meet certain criteria. This includes having at least two years of experience in a role where they are responsible for leading or managing projects or initiatives related to quality management or process improvement. Additionally, candidates must have completed at least one successful Six Sigma project within the past five years.

The cost of obtaining a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification varies depending on the provider; however, most providers charge between $1,000 - $2,500 for the entire certification program.

7. OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification

OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification is a program offered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that provides safety training for workers in general industry. The program is designed to provide workers with an understanding of common safety and health hazards they may encounter on the job, as well as how to recognize, avoid, and prevent them. It also covers topics such as personal protective equipment, hazard communication, fire protection systems, machine guarding, and more.

The OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification consists of two parts: an online course and a final exam. The online course takes approximately 10 hours to complete and covers all of the topics mentioned above in detail. After completing the online course, students must pass a final exam in order to receive their certification.

To get your OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification, you must first register for the online course through an approved provider or institution. Once registered, you will be able to log into the online course portal at any time from any device with internet access to complete the course material. Upon successful completion of the online course and passing of the final exam, you will receive your official OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification card via mail or email within 1-2 weeks.

The cost of obtaining your OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification varies depending on the provider or institution you choose to take it through; however, most courses range from $50-$100 USD per person.

8. Lean Manufacturing Certification

Lean Manufacturing Certification is a certification program designed to help organizations improve their operations and become more efficient. It is based on the principles of Lean Manufacturing, which focuses on eliminating waste and improving efficiency by streamlining processes.

The certification program typically takes between three and six months to complete, depending on the size and complexity of the organization. It involves a series of courses and workshops that cover topics such as process improvement, value stream mapping, 5S implementation, Kaizen events, visual management systems, and more. Participants will also be required to complete an assessment to demonstrate their understanding of the material.

In order to get certified in Lean Manufacturing, individuals must first complete a training program offered by an accredited provider or institution. These programs are typically offered online or in-person at universities or other educational institutions. The cost of these programs can vary greatly depending on the provider and length of time required for completion.

Once an individual has completed their training program, they will need to take an exam in order to receive their certification. The exam is administered by the International Association for Six Sigma Certification (IASSC) and covers topics such as process improvement methods, project management techniques, data analysis tools, problem solving strategies, and more. The cost of this exam varies depending on the provider but typically ranges from $200-$500 USD.

Once an individual has passed the exam they will be awarded with their Lean Manufacturing Certification which is valid for three years before needing to be renewed. Renewal requires recertification through additional coursework or exams administered by IASSC or another recognized body.

9. American Society for Quality - Certified Quality Technician

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Technician (CQT) is a certification program that recognizes individuals who demonstrate a mastery of quality principles and practices. The CQT credential is designed to demonstrate an individual's knowledge and skills in quality inspection, testing, auditing, and related activities.

To become certified as a CQT, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass the CQT exam. Eligibility requirements include having at least three years of full-time work experience in quality-related activities or an associate degree in a related field.

The CQT exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as quality assurance methods and techniques, inspection methods, auditing techniques, statistical process control, calibration techniques, problem solving methods, and other related topics. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete.

The cost for the ASQ Certified Quality Technician certification program is $399 USD for ASQ members or $499 USD for non-members. This fee includes the application fee and the cost of the exam.

10. American Society for Quality - Certified Quality Engineer

The American Society for Quality (ASQ) Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a comprehensive understanding of quality engineering principles and practices. It is designed to demonstrate an individual’s knowledge and expertise in the field of quality engineering, including topics such as design of experiments, statistical process control, reliability engineering, quality systems management, and more.

To become certified as a CQE, applicants must pass an exam administered by ASQ. The exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics related to quality engineering. It takes approximately three hours to complete the exam.

To apply for the CQE certification exam, applicants must submit an application form along with proof of work experience or education in quality engineering or related fields. Applicants must also pay an application fee to ASQ before taking the exam. The fee is currently $400 for members of ASQ and $500 for non-members.

Once certified, CQEs are required to maintain their certification through continuing education activities such as attending conferences or workshops related to quality engineering topics. They must also renew their certification every three years by paying a renewal fee and submitting evidence of continuing education activities completed during that time period.

11. International Facility Management Association - Facility Management Professional

The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the facility management profession worldwide. It is the world’s largest and most widely recognized professional association for facility management. The IFMA Facility Management Professional (FMP) credential is a knowledge-based certification program designed to recognize practitioners who demonstrate proficiency in the practice of facility management.

It takes approximately six months to complete the FMP credential program, depending on how quickly you are able to study and complete the required assignments. The program consists of four online courses: Fundamentals of Facility Management, Operations & Maintenance, Project Management, and Leadership & Strategy.

To get the FMP credential, you must first become an IFMA member and then register for the FMP credential program. After completing all four courses, you will need to pass a comprehensive exam before receiving your certificate of completion.

The cost for becoming an IFMA member is $195 USD per year plus applicable taxes and fees. The cost for registering for the FMP credential program is $1,395 USD plus applicable taxes and fees. This fee includes access to all four online courses as well as one attempt at taking the comprehensive exam.

Do You Really Need a Maintenance Supervisor Certificate?

A Maintenance Supervisor Certificate is not always necessary to become a successful maintenance supervisor. Many employers look for experience and technical knowledge when hiring someone for this position. Having a certificate can give you an edge over other candidates, but it is not always an absolute requirement.

Having a certificate can demonstrate that you have the knowledge and skills needed to be an effective maintenance supervisor. It shows that you understand the fundamentals of the job and have taken the time to learn about all aspects of it. This is particularly beneficial if you are applying for a supervisory role in a new industry or organization, as it can provide evidence that you are up to date on relevant regulations and safety standards. Additionally, having a certificate may make you more attractive to employers who value certifications as part of their hiring process.

However, many employers prioritize experience over certificates when considering applicants for maintenance supervisor roles. If you have years of experience working in building maintenance or related fields, then this may be enough to make up for not having a certificate. Employers often prefer people with hands-on expertise as they can hit the ground running without needing additional training or guidance from supervisors.

In conclusion, a Maintenance Supervisor Certificate may be helpful in some cases, but it is not always essential for success in this field. Depending on your background and current level of experience, it may be worth pursuing one if it would give you an edge over other candidates or open up potential opportunities with certain employers.

Related: Maintenance Supervisor Resume Examples

FAQs About Maintenance Supervisor Certifications

1. What is a Maintenance Supervisor Certification?

Answer: A Maintenance Supervisor Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates knowledge and proficiency in the safe and efficient operation of maintenance activities. It typically includes topics such as safety, preventative maintenance, equipment management, cost control, and personnel management.

2. How do I get certified as a Maintenance Supervisor?

Answer: To become certified as a Maintenance Supervisor, you must complete an accredited training program or apprenticeship and pass an exam administered by a professional organization such as NCCER (National Center for Construction Education & Research).

3. Is certification required to be a Maintenance Supervisor?

Answer: In most cases, certification is not required to be a Maintenance Supervisor but it can help you stand out from other job applicants and will give you the necessary skills to succeed in the role. Additionally, some employers may require certification or prefer candidates who have obtained it.

4. What are the benefits of having a Maintenance Supervisor Certification?

Answer: Having a Maintenance Supervisor Certification provides proof of your knowledge and proficiency in the field, making you more competitive in the job market. It also helps demonstrate that you have taken initiative to learn more about your profession and stay up to date on best practices. Finally, it can lead to increased job security since employers value employees who are knowledgeable and experienced in their field.

5. How long does it take to get certified as a Maintenance Supervisor?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified depends on which certification program you choose and how quickly you can complete all of its requirements. Generally speaking, most programs require 6 months to 1 year of study before taking the final exam for certification.