Certified Maintenance Employee (CME)

There is so much at a lodging property that can go wrong; maintenance employees are the first to respond when something needs to be fixed and kept in top shape. The Certified Maintenance Employee designation recognizes that these employees know how to maintain the physical property, whether it is replacing faucets, fixing holes in the wall, or performing regular preventive maintenance. Their extensive skills ensure that guests stay in a well-maintained property.

The certification is supported by the START and quickSTART (Skills, Tasks, and Results Training) programs. START resources present concise instructions for training new or prospective employees on how to perform key tasks correctly, along with the general hospitality knowledge and soft skills needed in the hospitality industry.

Prerequisites

There is no time in position requirement for this certification, making it ideal for onboarding and orientation or as professional development for current employees.

Candidates should complete the START for Maintenance Employee training to prepare for the certification exam. The training is available in an online package with certification exam for individuals, or in print for group training.

How to Apply

Certification exam scan sheets are included in the START and quickSTART participant packages.

Following training, the instructor or facilitator administers the exam and submits the scan sheets to AHLEI for grading. The exam is the application.

Resource Material

START for Maintenance Employee is intended for employees/trainees in a classroom setting. It does not require an on-the-job training component.

quickSTART for Maintenance Employee is intended for on-the-job employee training or for trainees with access to a hands-on learning lab or internship where there are opportunities to perform job tasks.

START Instructor Guide Package

• Instructor Guide
• Certification Exam Questions

Please note: The same instructor guide is used for training candidates using the quickSTART resources.

Exam

Those who complete the START or quickSTART program for Maintenance Employee are prepared to take the Certified Maintenance Employee certification exam. The certification exam consists of 30 multiple-choice questions.

A score of 70% or higher is needed to earn the certification.

Certification exam scan sheets are included in the START and quickSTART participant packages. The instructor or trainer administers the certification exam.

Successful candidates who complete the training and pass the certification exam will receive a certificate and lapel pin.