Host a Review Program
Host a Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) and/or Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) review program to encourage and prepare individuals (members and nonmembers alike) in their pursuit of a professional certification.
Who to Invite
Invite members of your local chapter and/or manufacturing professionals in your community. SME can help promote your review program by posting your program to the technical certification review program webpage and announcing your program in certification marketing communications as appropriate. Some chapters use Eventbrite for program registration but there are other services available like Eventzilla and PlanetReg.
Format
The review program can be held in a classroom setting or via a webcast. A review program can be organized to prepare individuals for both the CMfgT and CMfgE or focus on just one certification. You can also schedule a proctored exam for program attendees. For a webcast format, a service like AnyMeeting, GoToWebinar, or WebEx could be used. A syllabus/program outline and instructions should be provided to participants prior to the review program.
Pricing
The cost to attend the review program is completely up to the chapter. You could offer the program at no charge to members and charge nonmembers or you might want to charge different price points for members and nonmembers. This could be an opportunity to generate new chapter members along with additional revenue for your chapter. As a pricing example, Chapter 39 offers their review program free to members and $150 for nonmembers. Please note that the cost to take the exam and the recommended review book(s) is not included with the cost of the review program. The cost for the review book and the exam are:
- Review book: Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Third Edition
SME Members: $108 | Nonmembers: $120 - CMfgT online exam: SME Members: $245 | Nonmembers: $490
- CMfgT paper/pencil exam: SME Members: $275 | Nonmembers: $520
- CMfgE online exam: SME Members: $245 | Nonmembers: $490
- CMfgE paper/pencil exam: SME Members $275 | Nonmember $520
Instructors
Program instruction can be performed by volunteers who are already certified as a CMfgT and/or CMfgE or who have subject-matter expertise with the Competency Model, Body of Knowledge, and contents of the Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Third Edition (the recommended review book for the program and certification exam). The SME certification team can provide your instructor with the use of a comprehensive slide deck to assist in the instruction. These slides are not available for distribution. Instructors can also prepare their own supporting materials.
Duration
The duration of the program is up to the chapter. Classroom programs have been held for two days (usually on a weekend) while virtual programs have been spread out over eight or more weeks. Webcasts have become the more popular format for busy professionals. For example, a six week program that meets one time per week could meet from 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Work with your chapter members to determine the best schedule and duration of the program.
The Exam
It is up to each individual to arrange to take the CMfgT and CMfgE certification exams. Candidates have one year from purchasing the exam in which to schedule and take the exam. The exam is offered in paper/pencil and online formats. The exam is open book(s) and open notes. Each individual must purchase the exam at sme.org/CMfgT-exam or sme.org/CMfgE-exam. The SME certification team needs to receive the Proctor Form and Agreement two weeks prior to the exam date.
The chapter may want to consider coordinating a proctored group sitting for participants of the review program to take the exam. Sitting for the exam after the review program is optional as some candidates may need additional time to prepare.
- Review book: Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Third Edition
Resources
SME’s certification team is here to help your chapter organize a review program. We will provide you with the materials and guidance to host a successful program. Resources for candidates preparing to take an exam are available at sme.org/prepare, including:
Recommended Reading
Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Third Edition, by Philip D. Rufe, CMfgE, is the recommended review book for the Certified Manufacturing Technologist (CMfgT) and Certified Manufacturing Engineer (CMfgE) exams.
The Fundamentals of Manufacturing Workbook is an essential tool for studying for the exams and determining where further work is needed. It contains 325 questions and solutions weighted according to the Body of Knowledge.
Additional review books include:
- Bakerjian, Ramon and Cubberly, William H. (1989). Tool and Manufacturing Engineer’s Handbook, Desk Edition. Dearborn, MI: SME. ISBN: 978-0872633513
- Oberg, Erik (2012). Machinery’s Handbook (29th Ed.). Norwalk, CT: Industrial Press. ISBN: 978-0831129002 (available in a variety of formats including toolbox size, large print, and CD-ROM)
- Nee, John G. (2010). Fundamentals of Tool Design (6th Ed.). Dearborn, MI: SME. ISBN: 978-0872638679
- Elshennawy, Ahmad K. and Weheba, Gamal S. (2014). Manufacturing Processes and Materials (5th Ed.). Dearborn, MI: SME. ISBN: 978-0872638716
Participants can save 10% when the Fundamentals of Manufacturing Book and Workbook Package is purchased.
Fundamentals of Manufacturing, Fundamentals of Manufacturing Workbook, Fundamentals of Tool Design, and Manufacturing Processes and Materials are available in eBook and eChapter formats. The eBook format to the exam. For online exams, the eBook(s)/eChapter(s) must be on a different device than the device on which participants are taking the exam.
Competency Model
The competency model helps identify the knowledge, skills, and abilities one should have to achieve a CMfgT and/or CMfgE certification.
Contact
Questions & Facilitator Access
If you have questions and/or would like access to the facilitator’s materials (instructor slide decks, video clips, and other documents), please contact Jaimie Christie at 313.425.3095 or email jchristie@sme.org. You must be a member of SME to be granted access to these materials.
