100+ Free ICMA-CM Practice Questions

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The ICMA-CM credential is administered by ICMA through which primary mechanism?

A proctored written multiple-choice examination

A peer-review application process evaluated by the Credentialing Advisory Board

An in-person skills demonstration at ICMA headquarters

A passing score on the Management Assessment only

to track

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: ICMA-CM Exam

ICMA Practices

ICMA

Code of Ethics Tenets

Amended May 2025

40+ hrs

Annual CPE

ICMA-CM maintenance

45 days

CAB Review Window

After quarterly deadline

Peer review

Credential Format

Not a written exam

Professional References

ICMA application

ICMA-CM is a peer-reviewed, portfolio-based credential — NOT a written exam. Granted by the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board based on education, senior-level local government experience, references, Management Assessment results, and a signed commitment to the ICMA Code of Ethics. Our 100 practice questions prep the underlying knowledge required by the 14 ICMA Practices for Effective Local Government Leadership and Management (ethics, community engagement, equity, strategic planning, policy facilitation, service delivery, financial management, HR, technology, communications) so you can strengthen your application and your professional practice.

Sample ICMA-CM Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your ICMA-CM exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1The ICMA-CM credential is administered by ICMA through which primary mechanism?

A.A proctored written multiple-choice examination

B.A peer-review application process evaluated by the Credentialing Advisory Board

C.An in-person skills demonstration at ICMA headquarters

D.A passing score on the Management Assessment only

Explanation: ICMA-CM is not a written exam. Candidates submit an application documenting education, experience, references, and ethics compliance; the Credentialing Advisory Board reviews each submission (within 45 days of the quarterly deadline) and recommends approval.

2Approximately how many ICMA Practices for Effective Local Government Leadership and Management are in the current framework?

A.7

B.10

C.14

D.21

Explanation: ICMA maintains 14 Practices covering leadership, ethics, community engagement, equity, staff effectiveness, strategic leadership and planning, policy facilitation, service delivery, technology, financial management, HR, and communication.

3How many tenets are in the ICMA Code of Ethics?

A.7

B.10

C.12

D.14

Explanation: The ICMA Code of Ethics contains 12 tenets covering public trust, dignity of public service, integrity, political neutrality, continuous learning, fair treatment of staff, and related obligations. The tenets were most recently amended in May 2025.

4To maintain the ICMA-CM credential, members must annually attest to completing at least how many hours of continuing professional education?

A.20 hours

B.30 hours

C.40 hours

D.60 hours

Explanation: ICMA-CM holders must complete and attest to a minimum of 40 hours of continuing professional education each calendar year, along with continued adherence to the ICMA Code of Ethics.

5Which ICMA Code of Ethics tenet requires members to refrain from participating in partisan political activity?

A.Tenet 1

B.Tenet 3

C.Tenet 7

D.Tenet 12

Explanation: Tenet 7 is the political neutrality tenet. Appointed managers do not participate in partisan political activities such as running for elected office, endorsing candidates, or campaigning, to preserve public trust in professional management.

6In the council-manager form of government, which statement BEST describes the traditional policy-administration distinction?

A.The manager sets policy and the council administers operations

B.The council establishes policy and the manager administers its implementation

C.Both council and manager share equal policymaking and administrative authority

D.Policy and administration are defined by voter referendum every two years

Explanation: Under the classic council-manager model, the elected council establishes policy, budget, and goals; the professional manager implements policy, directs staff, and manages day-to-day operations. This dichotomy is theoretical — in practice roles overlap — but it frames ICMA's policy facilitation practice.

7The IAP2 Spectrum of Public Participation lists five increasing levels of public impact. Which sequence lists them in the correct order from least to greatest public impact?

A.Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower

B.Consult, Inform, Engage, Decide, Empower

C.Notify, Inform, Consult, Decide, Delegate

D.Inform, Involve, Consult, Empower, Collaborate

Explanation: The IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum is: Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower. Inform is one-way communication; Empower places final decision-making in the hands of the public (e.g., binding referendum).

8California's primary open-meetings statute governing local legislative bodies is commonly known as:

A.The Sunshine Law

B.The Brown Act

C.The Freedom of Information Act

D.The Open Records Act

Explanation: The Ralph M. Brown Act (1953) is California's local open-meetings law. Florida's equivalent is commonly called the Sunshine Law, and Texas has the Texas Open Meetings Act. Managers must know their state's specific statute.

9What does the acronym GARE stand for in the local government equity context?

A.Government Assembly for Regional Equity

B.Grants for Applied Research and Equity

C.Government Alliance on Race and Equity

D.Government Association of Revenue Executives

Explanation: GARE — the Government Alliance on Race and Equity — is a national network of local and regional governments working to advance racial equity. Members use tools like racial equity impact assessments and equity action plans.

10A Language Access Plan in local government is most directly required or strongly encouraged by which federal authority?

A.Title VI of the Civil Rights Act and Executive Order 13166

B.Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

C.The Fair Labor Standards Act

D.The Americans with Disabilities Act Title III

Explanation: Executive Order 13166 (2000), issued under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, directs federal agencies and recipients of federal funds to provide meaningful access to limited-English-proficient (LEP) persons, which drives local Language Access Plans.

About the ICMA-CM Exam

The ICMA Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM) is a peer-reviewed professional credential for local government managers, not a written examination. Candidates submit an application documenting education (typically an MPA or equivalent plus senior-level local government management experience), three professional references, Management Assessment results, and attestation to the ICMA Code of Ethics. Applications are reviewed by the ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board within 45 days of quarterly deadlines. The credential is maintained through annual attestation of 40+ hours of continuing professional education and continued adherence to the 12 tenets of the ICMA Code of Ethics.

Questions

0 scored questions

Time Limit

Peer-review based (not time-limited exam)

Passing Score

Credentialing Advisory Board approval

Exam Fee

$385 USD application (ICMA (International City/County Management Association))

ICMA-CM Exam Content Outline

Foundational

ICMA Code of Ethics & Personal/Professional Integrity

12 tenets (amended May 2025), Tenet 7 political neutrality, Tenet 12 public trust, conflict-of-interest disclosure, gift rules, ethics advisor consultation, and conduct unbecoming guidelines

Core practice

Community Engagement & Equity

IAP2 Public Participation Spectrum (Inform/Consult/Involve/Collaborate/Empower), open-meetings laws (Brown Act, Sunshine Law, Open Meetings Act), GARE racial equity tools, ADA Title II, Title VI and EO 13166 language access

Core practice

Strategic Leadership, Planning & Policy Facilitation

Strategic planning, SWOT/PEST, Kotter's 8-step change model, Balanced Scorecard, OKRs, performance measurement (ICMA CPM), council-manager policy-administration dichotomy, Dillon's Rule vs Home Rule

Core practice

Financial & Human Resources Management

GASB fund accounting (Statements 34, 87 leases, 96 SBITAs), CIP, GO vs revenue bonds, TIF/CFD/BID, GFOA best practices, 2 CFR 200 Uniform Guidance/Single Audit $750K threshold, FLSA 7(k), Garcia v. SAMTA, PEPRA, OPEB, collective bargaining scope

Core practice

Service Delivery, Technology & Communication

Lean/Six Sigma, ABC costing, P3s, benchmarking (ICMA performance data), GIS, CIS Controls, StateRAMP, CJIS, WCAG 2.1 AA, open data, crisis communications, public-records laws

Credential process

ICMA-CM Application, Maintenance & Emerging Topics

Eligibility routes, Management Assessment, multi-rater assessment, Credentialing Advisory Board review, 40-hour annual CPE attestation, and emerging practice areas (climate resilience, homelessness, AI governance, broadband equity)

How to Pass the ICMA-CM Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Credentialing Advisory Board approval
Exam length: 0 questions
Time limit: Peer-review based (not time-limited exam)
Exam fee: $385 USD application

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

ICMA-CM Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the 14 ICMA Practices — know the name and core focus of each (ethics, engagement, equity, staff, resiliency, strategic leadership, strategic planning, policy facilitation, resident service, service delivery, technology, finance, HR, communications)

2Memorize the IAP2 spectrum order (Inform, Consult, Involve, Collaborate, Empower) and what Empower means in practice (binding referendum)

3Know Code of Ethics Tenet 7 (political neutrality, no endorsements/partisan activity) and Tenet 12 (public office = public trust)

4Understand GASB fundamentals — General Fund, Enterprise Fund, GASB 34/87/96, plus GFOA's two-month fund balance best practice

5Review the Uniform Guidance $750K Single Audit threshold and basic procurement rules in 2 CFR 200

6Know the difference between Dillon's Rule and Home Rule — and how that shapes what your city can legally do

7Remember public-sector HR landmarks: FLSA Section 7(k) for police/fire, Garcia v. SAMTA (1985), PEPRA in California, OPEB/GASB 75

8Study crisis communications, WCAG 2.1 AA digital accessibility, and emerging topics (climate, homelessness, AI governance, broadband equity) — these map to Practices 11, 14, and the manager's leadership role

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the ICMA-CM a written exam?

No. ICMA-CM is a peer-reviewed, portfolio-based credential. Applicants submit documentation of education and local-government management experience, three professional references, Management Assessment results, and Code of Ethics attestation. The ICMA Credentialing Advisory Board reviews each application within 45 days of the quarterly deadline (January, April, July, October).

What are the 14 ICMA Practices for Effective Local Government Leadership and Management?

The 14 Practices are: (1) Personal & Professional Integrity, (2) Community Engagement, (3) Equity & Inclusion, (4) Staff Effectiveness, (5) Personal Resiliency & Development, (6) Strategic Leadership, (7) Strategic Planning, (8) Policy Facilitation & Implementation, (9) Community & Resident Service, (10) Service Delivery, (11) Technology Management, (12) Financial Management, (13) Human Resources Management, and (14) Communication & Information Sharing.

What are the ICMA-CM eligibility requirements?

Candidates typically hold an MPA, MA, or bachelor's degree combined with substantial senior-level local government management experience (3-5+ years as a chief administrative officer or deputy depending on the applicant's educational route). Applicants must complete the ICMA Management Assessment (results less than three years old), submit three professional references, attest to the Code of Ethics, and be an ICMA member in good standing.

How is the ICMA-CM credential maintained?

ICMA-CMs must complete 40+ hours of continuing professional education each year and attest annually that they continue to adhere to the ICMA Code of Ethics (12 tenets). Within the first five years in the program, credentialed managers must also complete a multi-rater (360-degree) assessment. Failure to attest can result in suspension or loss of credential.

How do our 100 practice questions help if it's not an exam?

Our questions cover the underlying knowledge required by the 14 ICMA Practices and the Code of Ethics — public finance (GASB, TIF, fund balance), public-sector HR (FLSA 7(k), PEPRA, collective bargaining), community engagement (IAP2, open-meetings laws), equity (GARE, Title VI, ADA Title II), technology (CIS, StateRAMP, WCAG 2.1), and more. Strong knowledge of these domains strengthens both your credentialing application and your day-to-day practice as a manager.

What is the ICMA Code of Ethics?

The ICMA Code of Ethics contains 12 tenets (most recently amended May 2025) governing professional conduct of local government managers. Key tenets include public trust, personal integrity, nonpartisan political neutrality (Tenet 7), continuous learning, respect for elected officials, fair treatment of staff, and transparency. Violations can lead to public censure, membership suspension, or expulsion.