IFMA Reaches 20,000 FMPs, Celebrating Facility Management Growth and Industry Impact

HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA – (Jan. 27, 2025) – The International Facility Management Association (IFMA), the world’s largest, most widely recognized association for facility management (FM) professionals and a key contributor to the development of international FM standards, announced today that those who have officially* earned IFMA’s Facility Management Professional™ (FMP®) credential surpassed 20,000 globally. This marks a significant milestone in the association’s mission to advance the FM industry and empower facility professionals to perform at the highest level.

IFMA introduced the FMP credential program in 2004 as a means for FM professionals with less than five years of experience to develop the skills, confidence and credibility essential for career advancement. Over the past two decades, the FMP has become the industry standard for emerging facility professionals. It is a desired qualification for employers seeking FMs with advanced, in-demand skills; and many prominent companies have provided in-house FMP training to thousands of their employees.

“For 45 years, IFMA has been a vital source of career development and advancement for FMs globally. This milestone not only demonstrates the quality and value of our FMP credential but is also a testament to the dedication of FM professionals to improve performance, productivity and preparedness in their facilities. Every FMP strengthens and elevates our industry by bringing a higher level of skills, proficiency and commitment to their job,” said Chair of IFMA’s Global Board of Directors Lynn Baez, FMP, SFP, IFMA Fellow.

IFMA is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) under ANSI/ASTM E2659-18 – a globally recognized mark of quality providing assurance that IFMA’s Facility Management Professional™ (FMP®), Certified Facility Manager® (CFM®) and Sustainability Facility Professional® (SFP®) are held to the highest internationally accepted criteria.

“We’re so proud of how far the FMP program has come, sought after by FMs and employers alike.  Statistically, organizations see a higher level of performance in credentialed FMs; but our greatest measure of success comes from the FMPs themselves, who share that they have found more doors open to them, taking on more responsibilities, stepping into leadership roles and driving beneficial change for their organizations,” said Certificate Commission Chair Paul Ratkovic, CFM, FMP, IFMA Fellow, who was the first person to earn the FMP when it was introduced 20 years ago.

IFMA’s FMP is held in 121 countries. The program is available in English, Simplified Chinese and Latin American Spanish. Since 2017, IFMA has seen a 146 percent increase in companies requiring IFMA credentials in their FM job postings, with 54 percent of companies listing the FMP as a required or desired qualification. For more information, visit ifma.org/credentials/facility-management-professional-fmp/.

*To ensure that you or your employee has been officially recognized by IFMA or an IFMA Training Affiliate as an FMP, visit IFMA’s Credential Registry at https://ifma.learningbuilder.com/Public/MemberSearch/CertificateVerification. Only those verified as FMPs by IFMA, or an approved provider, are listed in the registry. Those who have received a fraudulent IFMA credential from an unauthorized provider will not be in the registry.

About IFMA

Founded in 1980, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA) is the world’s largest, most widely recognized association for facility management (FM) professionals. Supporting more than 25,000 members in over 140 countries, IFMA is a key contributor to the development of international FM standards and works with decision makers to inform FM-related policy. IFMA provides career resources and continuing education, offers three industry-respected credentials, maintains the largest repository of FM-related content on the web and hosts year-round global events. With a vision to lead the future of the built environment to make the world a better place, IFMA believes in the benefit of global diversity, inclusion and social equity, and recognizes that sustainability, resilience and responsible environmental stewardship are paramount. For more information, visit ifma.org and our LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, X and Flickr pages. Follow IFMA’s Connected FM podcast and blog for expert insights on trending industry topics.

Media Contact:

Lori Steinmann, IFMA Marketing and Communications Manager, Professional Development

lori.steinmann@ifma.org