The Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP)
The Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) is a non-profit professional organization dedicated to advancing the discipline of change management. It provides a structured approach to managing the people side of change within organizations, helping businesses and individuals adapt, innovate, and thrive in evolving environments.
History & Origins
- ACMP began in 2009 with a World Café workshop involving over 200 practitioners during a global Prosci‑hosted change management conference. The aim was to create a dedicated professional association for change management
- The organization was formally incorporated in February 2011 and launched publicly at the ACMP Global Change Conference in May 2011, featuring thought leaders like John Kotter and Daryl Conner.
- In 2014, ACMP published the Standard for Change Management, developed via a consensus process involving 1,100+ industry leaders from 57 countries, and introduced its Code of Ethics.
- The Qualified Education Provider (QEP) program debuted in 2015, followed by the launch of the Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP) credential in 2016; over 300 practitioners earned the certification in its first year.
- By 2024, ACMP had awarded nearly 3,000 CCMP certifications, operated in nearly 100 countries, and supported over 40 active chapters and emerging chapters worldwide .
Membership & Community Size
- ACMP has grown to over 4,000 members worldwide as of 2025; for example, the Alberta regional chapter alone reports 200+ local members.
- Members span almost 100 countries, with more than 40 regional chapters and emerging chapters globally.
Core Services & Benefits
1. Standard for Change Management & Code of Ethics
- The Standard defines the discipline’s global best practices and serves as the foundation for the CCMP credential.
- ACMP’s Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct, updated via a formal review process, establishes guidelines for practitioner behavior.
2. Certified Change Management Professional (CCMP)
A globally recognized certification, the CCMP® is based on the Standard, governed by independent standards bodies, and requires:
- At least 3 years (4,200 hours) professional experience,
- 21 training hours in change management aligned with the Standard,
- Ongoing credential maintenance .
Over 3,000 practitioners earned this credential by the end of 2024 .
3. Qualified Education Provider (QEP) Program
Launched in 2015, the QEP program ensures that external training aligns with ACMP’s Standard for Change Management .
4. Events & Conferences
- Change Management Global Connect is ACMP’s annual virtual conference (2025 edition occurs July 22–24), drawing a global attendance.
- Local chapters host both in-person and virtual events—networking meetups, webinars, and masterclasses—offering continuous learning and collaboration .
5. ACMP Connect — Online Community
A members-only platform launched in 2021, ACMP Connect enables practitioners across regions to network, share resources, ask questions, and build professional relationships.
6. Resource Library & Business Solutions
- The ACMP website offers a library of resources—webinars, whitepapers, templates, tools—covering everything from enterprise leadership and innovation to foundational CM practices .
- Through its Business Solutions Center, members gain access to discounts on tools and services, plus optional professional liability insurance coverage.
7. Recognition & Awards
- ACMP recently launched the Global Change Excellence Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the discipline.
- It supports an Academic Research Award, for innovators in change management scholarship .
References:
ACMP Global website: https://www.acmpglobal.org/
Consider to go for professional designations of change management?
Prosci
Prosci is a global leader in change management research and training, providing a structured methodology and tools to help organizations and individuals manage the people side of change. It is well-known for its research-based approach and the development of the widely used ADKAR model.
History & Evolution
- Prosci was founded in 1994 by Jeff Hiatt, a former Bell Labs engineer and program manager who established the firm to pioneer a structured, research‑based way to manage the people side of organizational change.
- Over the past 25+ years, Prosci has conducted ongoing primary research into change initiatives globally. This research underpins its methodology and tools, continuously informing improvements, with a major methodology refresh released in 2021.
Scale & Community Reach
- Prosci has trained and certified over 150,000 change management practitioners worldwide — one of the largest in the industry.
- The company operates in 80+ countries, delivering services through its own regional offices (e.g. U.S., Canada, Australia, Europe) and 25+ certified partner organizations.
Core Services & Offerings
1. Research-Based Methodology & Tools
- Prosci’s methodology centers on teaching organizations how to move employees through change using their proprietary tools: the ADKAR® Model (individual level), the Prosci Change Triangle (PCT), and a 3‑Phase Process for project-based change.
- The company maintains what is likely the industry’s largest body of change management knowledge, drawing from insights of thousands of change leaders accumulated over decades.
2. Training & Certification
- Prosci offers a 3‑day Change Management Certification Program (e.g., “Certified Change Practitioner”) designed for individuals looking to apply its methodology in practice.
- They also offer advanced professional learning such as the Prosci Certified Advanced Change Practitioner (PCACP) courses launched in late 2024, covering topics like managing resistance, change performance, and project health assessment.
3. Advisory & Consulting Services
- Prosci Advisors work directly with organizations to help design bespoke change management strategies, align teams, train leaders, and support large-scale transformations through facilitated workshops and coaching.
4. Primary Research & Insights
- Through annual benchmarking studies and surveys, Prosci aggregates extensive data on what drives successful change projects. This informs its tools, training content, and client guidance
References:
Prosci website: https://www.prosci.com/
Change Management Institute (CMI)
The Change Management Institute (CMI) is a global, independent, non-profit professional association for change management practitioners. It is run by its members, for its members, and is dedicated to advancing the change management profession globally.
History & Origins
- Founded in 2005, the Change Management Institute is a global, independent, not-for-profit association created by members for members to advance the profession through capability, credibility, and connections.
- In 2008, CMI introduced the Change Management Practitioner Competency Model, which underpins its three-level professional Accreditation Scheme.
- CMI also authored the Change Management Body of Knowledge (CMBoK™), titled The Effective Change Manager, recognized as a core reference for the profession globally.
Size & Global Reach
- As of now, CMI has members across 35 countries, supported by both local chapters and a rich virtual community ecosystem.
- While CMI doesn’t publicly publish a headcount, its LinkedIn page shows ~50,000 followers globally, and the organization operates in a professional network spanning Australia, New Zealand, UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, and beyond.
Core Services & Offerings
1. Competency-Based Accreditation Program
- CMI offers three independent accreditation levels—Foundation, Specialist, and Master—based on real-world evidence and assessed against its Competency Model, not merely a test.
- Accredited members can display formal credentials and a CMI badge, enhancing marketplace credibility globally.
2. Capability Development
- Access CMI's Change Capability Framework, aligned development pathways, and endorsed training programs aligned to competency standards.
- Daily access to Member Hub, which includes the CMBoK book at a discount, competency models, case studies, insights, podcasts, animations, webinars, and recorded events (~135 annually).
3. Global Thought Leadership & Community Forums
- Member-exclusive programs such as Global Trends, Learning Circle, Global Voices, Heads of Change, ACM Masters Forum, and Future Thinking provide curated interaction and cutting-edge perspectives.
- Special interest forums around Agile Change, Digital Transformation, and Human-Centred Change foster peer-to-peer dialogue across geographies via the Member Hub.
4. Networking & Events
- With local chapters across multiple countries, CMI organizes both virtual and in-person events—workshops, keynote speaker sessions, masterclasses—to build connections and practical skills.
- The Change Leader Awards, introduced in 2025, recognize outstanding contribution and leadership within its global membership community.
5. Organizational Membership & Corporate Support
- Corporate membership offers discounted rates for teams, onboarding support, priority access at events, discounted accreditation, and employer branding benefits via dedicated digital badges
References:
The Change Management Institute (CMI) website: https://change-management-institute.com/
Consider to go for professional designations of change management?
APMG International
APMG International is a global accreditation and examination body that provides professional certifications and training programs across various fields, including change management. It collaborates with governments and industry experts to develop certification schemes aligned with best practices. Rather than providing training directly, APMG accredits third-party organizations, known as Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs), to deliver courses and exams based on its certification schemes.
APMG International is a global accreditation and examination body that provides professional certifications and training programs across various fields, including change management. It collaborates with governments and industry experts to develop certification schemes aligned with best practices. Rather than providing training directly, APMG accredits third-party organizations, known as Accredited Training Organizations (ATOs), to deliver courses and exams based on its certification schemes. 🎓
Change Management Qualifications
APMG offers a tiered qualification structure for change management professionals, which provides a pathway from foundational knowledge to practical application. The certification is based on the Change Management Body of Knowledge.
- Change Management Foundation: This is the entry-level qualification. It confirms you have a fundamental understanding of the principles, processes, and key roles in organizational change. Passing this exam is a prerequisite for the Practitioner level.
- Change Management Practitioner: This qualification builds on the Foundation level and focuses on the practical application of change management principles. It demonstrates your ability to develop change plans, manage stakeholder engagement, and handle resistance in real-world scenarios.
APMG also offers related certifications like Agile Change Management and Neuroscience for Change, which provide specialized knowledge for professionals in those areas.
References:
APMG International website: https://apmg-international.com/
Change Management Certificate Programs by Universities
The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia
Program: Certificate in Change Management
Format: Live online.
Length: 5-6 months or a 3.5-month "bootcamp" option.
Curriculum: The curriculum is aligned with the ACMP Standard for Change Management and can help you prepare for the ACMP's certification exams.
Royal Roads University
The University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia
Program: Graduate Certificate in Change Management
Format: Online with two virtual residencies.
Length: Nine weeks per course, with an estimated 10-15 hours of work per week.
Curriculum: The program is a Qualified Educational Provider (QEP™) for the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP®).
University of Alberta
The University of British Columbia
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Program: Change Management Certificate
Format: Asynchronous online courses.
Length: 63 instructional hours, typically completed within six months.
Cost: Approximately $2,265 CAD.
University of Calgary Continuing Education
University of Calgary Continuing Education
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Program: Certificate in Change Management
Format: Online and in-class
Length: The program is 200 hours and can be completed in about two years if taking one or two courses per term.
Dalhousie University
University of Calgary Continuing Education
Dalhousie University
Program: Certificate in Change Management
Format: Virtual with a live instructor.
Length: 70 hours, with a maximum completion time of three years.