Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you have a question about certifications, designations, or courses, you can find the answers here.
Certificate and Designation Program FAQs
From reducing operating expenses to increasing overall efficiency, our programs provide the in-depth knowledge professionals need to perform everyday job responsibilities more effectively, achieve professional goals, and add value to an organization's bottom line.
First, choose the career path of your choice: property management, facilities management, systems maintenance, or sustainability. Then start with a course, earn a certificate, and achieve your designation. Click here to learn more.
It all depends on how often you plan on taking courses and the course delivery option chosen. You have up to seven years from the initial enrollment date to complete your designation and up to three years from the initial enrollment date to complete your certificate.
The cost of a program varies depending on the course delivery options that the student chooses. Our fee schedule breaks down these costs in more detail. BOMI courses are also offered throughout the country through partnerships with local Building Owners and Managers Associations (BOMA Locals). BOMA Local sponsors may set their own prices, so if you register for a BOMA Local course, prices may vary.
Students enrolled in the Real Property Administrator (RPA®), Facilities Management Administrator (FMA®), or Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®) Designation programs are eligible to apply for competency and transfer credits. Credits for courses awarded through a competency option do not qualify for most certificate programs. Learn more about competency and transfer credits.
If a certificate isn't in your designation learning path, then you may apply for a certificate after a designation is complete. For example, you've completed your Real Property Administrator (RPA®), but would now like to pursue your Facilities Management Certificate (FMC). If the certificate is in your designation learning path, you may not apply for a certificate after designation completion. For example, you've completed your Real Property Administrator (RPA®), but would now like to pursue your Property Administrator Certificate (PAC).
Once you earn the Real Property Administrator (RPA®), Facilities Management Administrator (FMA®), or Systems Maintenance Administrator (SMA®) Designation, you must maintain active status of the designation by earning 18 points of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit every three years. You will receive a complete CPD information package after you complete your designation program. CPD is not required for the Systems Maintenance Technician (SMT®) Designation, High-Performance Sustainable Buildings (BOMI-HP®) Designation, or for BOMI certificates. Learn more.
Courses
Choose the course you'd like to take, and scroll to the bottom of the page for your course options (online self-paced, in-person classroom, or live virtual learning. View courses.
Collaborative Virtual Learning (CVL) registration closes on the last business day before the start of the class. Online Self-Paced (OSP) registration is continuously open year-round.
Courses may be taken in the order you prefer. BOMI suggests students choose a course that complements immediate responsibilities first. Students may take multiple courses at a time. However, we do not suggest taking more than two courses at once, especially if you are working full time.
Once registration and payment are complete, students will receive an email with credentials to login to BOMI's Learning Portal. Students will have access to online content for six (6) months from the start date of the course. If students do not successfully complete the exam within this initial six-month window, they can pay the exam administration fee (see our Price Sheet) to extend exam eligibility period.
Start with this self-paced learning experience anytime, anywhere, and at the pace that works for you. The courses you need are in a format that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle. Participants have 24/7 access to the Learning Portal, which includes online, interactive modules, complete with interactive microlessons, video presentations, key concept reviews, review quizzes and practice exams.
Once registered, students will receive an email with your credentials to login to BOMI's Learning Portal. Students will have access to online content and the digital coursebook for six (6) months from the course registration date.
No. Our programs are no longer available in the Self-Study delivery method. OSP is an enhanced version of our former Self-Study method, allowing students access to BOMI's Learning Portal.
Absolutely. Many courses have been approved toward maintaining your LEED, CFM, CPM, CCIM, and many other industry credentials. To view how courses apply toward continuing education credits, please go to the course page that you’re interested in. If you would like to view all of the courses BOMI offers, click here.
New students will be sent an introductory email and your exam eligibility information two (2) days after you register for a course. Returning students will be emailed your exam eligibility information two (2) days after you register for a course. Once you have access to your coursebook, review its content to familiarize yourself with the layout and resources available for successful mastery of the content. For accelerated review and semester-length classroom delivery options, it is suggested that you complete the Key Concept Study Guide questions and practice exam prior to the first day of the course so you can gauge your knowledge and focus more on areas you may find challenging.
Prior to beginning any course, be sure to review your coursebook in its entirety to understand the content sequencing and resources to assist you in mastering the topic areas. If you are taking the course in a traditional classroom, be sure to arrive ½ hour to 45 minutes early so you are able to locate parking and the classroom, meet your instructor, and get settled with your materials.
Contact [email protected] or call BOMI at 1.800.235.BOMI (2664) to speak to an Education Coordinator.
Contact BOMI at 1.800.235.BOMI (2664) Monday-Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM ET to speak with a member of BOMI's Education Coordinator Team, or email [email protected] because situations tend to vary and there are typically fees associated to transfer/cancel.
Your Learning Experience
In most instances, BOMI instructors personally reach out to students prior to the beginning of the course, but some wait until the first day of class to review details.
Once your instructor has reached out to you with an introductory email for classroom courses, you will be able to communicate with him or her. For online courses, the initial course email enables you to do this from the beginning.
Instructors typically review these housekeeping items on the first day of class, regardless of how the program is being delivered. They will let you know parameters for how quickly to expect a response to your questions.
Because the courses are self-paced, there isn't instructor support to answer learner questions. OSP courses are designed so that there shouldn't be a need for support outside of materials made available through the coursebook and resources in the online course environment. However, if you need to reach out for support, please contact one of our Education Coordinators at [email protected] or 1.800.235.BOMI.
For all online and virtual learning delivery options, students will use digital coursebooks and additional Learning Portal resources, which include online interactive modules, video presentations, key concept reviews, and practice assessments—all available 24/7. For Accelerated Review and Semester-Length Classroom delivery options, students will be in an interactive, in-person environment with an instructor and peers in the industry. This is a way for you to network with your instructor and peers to discuss real-life challenges related to the course topic areas.
Students are not required to log a certain number of hours on the BOMI Learning Portal, but it is recommended that you take advantage of the lesson plans and course syllabus to ensure that you are maximizing your time and using all available tools to enhance your knowledge and skills.
It is recommended that students spend an additional 50 hours over the entire course for reviewing materials outside of the structured learning events to ensure you are successful in mastering the content and in preparation for the final exam.
Courses range from 24-30 hours each. The actual time it takes to complete a course depends on the delivery option chosen. Online self-paced courses should be completed within a six-month timeframe. Collaborative Virtual Learning and Live Virtual Learning courses consist of two 4-hour live virtual sessions per week, for 4-6 weeks. Accelerated Review courses generally run four days. Semester-Length and Corporate Onsite Instruction (group education) vary depending on the course(s) chosen.
BOMI instructors are accomplished leaders in the property and facility management industries. All instructors go through an extensive review process to ensure they have a high level of technical competence in the subject matter to be taught.
Course Materials and Resources
Yes. When registered, you can access a digital coursebook via a link to the VitalSource Bookshelf through BOMI's Learning Portal. OSP tuition includes a digital coursebook, which is accessible for six months from the registration date. Students have the option to purchase a printed coursebook for an additional fee.
All courses include access to a digital coursebook. New students will receive your login credentials within two business days of registration for your digital course and coursebook. Returning students’ login credentials remain the same and will have access after registering for a new course. Print coursebooks are available for an additional fee and will arrive 7-10 days after processing.
The coursebook is the foundation of all BOMI learning experiences. The Learning Portal materials are aligned with and support the coursebook, but do not cover all items that will be relevant to the final exam. The Learning Portal offers valuable resources to enhance the learning experience through videos, discussions, and online quizzes to support success on the final exam.
Once you are registered for an online course and can access the Learning Portal during orientation week, the syllabus and course schedule will be available there. For accelerated review or semester-length classes, a high-level overview will be provided by instructors in advance of the first session.
Depending on your method of study, one or both may be required. A computer is required to complete the course level final exam.
Coursebooks are only available if you have registered for the course.