WASBO U Certification

Facility Manager Core

Course Hours: 9 Courses • 32 Hours
Duration: 12-24 Months to Complete

All courses are taught as sessions at the following conferences: FALL
Midwest Facility Masters |  Facilities Management & School Safety | SPRING

Targets the essentials of facility management, including systems maintenance, budgeting, emergency planning, and staffing.

VIEW COURSE CALENDAR

 

 

Facility Manager Core Certification Courses

Module 1: Custodial Operations | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 1 include: Hire, Retire & Everything In Between, Real World Business Ethics for Facilities Directors, Good Business Leadership, Crucial Conversations & Strong Leadership.

Module 2: Building Systems | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 2 include: Energy Accounting & Education | Understanding HVAC | Electrical Systems: Lighting | Life Safety & Building Codes

Module 3: Environmental Health & Safety | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 3 include: 20 Areas of Safety Concern & Responsibilities | Indoor Environmental Quality | Asbestos Designated Person Training | Employee Health & Safety

Module 4: Maintenance & Operations | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 4 include: Exterior Building Envelope Maintenance | Roof Maintenance | Effective Preventative Maintenance Program | Building Automation Management Systems

Module 5: Facility Life Cycle & Budgeting | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 5: Managing Sports Fields - Grass, Turf & Synthetic Surfaces | Budgeting for School Facilities Departments | Capital Planning: A Guide to Future Success | The Realities of Referendum Projects

Module 6: Leadership | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 6 include: Interaction with the Public: How to Sell Your Program | How to Identify & Communicate Success | Excelling as a Leader

Module 7: Emergency Management, School Safety & Security | Facility Manager Core Certification

Courses in Module 7 include: Introduction to Emergency Planning | Security Assessment & Threat Preparedness | After Hours Emergencies: How to Plan | Active Threat Training - Live Action

Module 8: Business and Human Resources | Facility Manager Core

Courses in Module 8 include: Hire, Retire & Everything In Between | Real World Business Ethics for Facilities Directors | Good Business Leadership | Crucial Conversations & Strong Leadership

School Business Ethics

This course empowers education leaders to foster a culture of ethics, integrity, and transparency across their districts. Participants will explore real-world ethical dilemmas and develop the skills to navigate complex decisions with confidence.

 

Certification Details and Benefits

The WASBO Facilities Manager Certification Program is offered by the Wisconsin Association of School Business Officials and is recognized by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. Certification is the preferred end; however, individuals may take selected courses in the curriculum without obtaining Certification. Any level of participation will add to one’s experience and knowledge base. Those completing the Facilities Manager Core Certification program requirements are recognized at the WASBO Spring Conference.

 

Program Benefits

School District Benefits

  • Knowledge of current changing legislation and regulations.
  • Savings through efficiencies of operation, energy use and effective labor management.
  • Improved safety for students, staff and community.
  • Savings through fewer claims.
  • A healthy and safe learning environment.
  • Increase in public confidence.
  • Effective facility planning and budgeting

Personal Professional Benefits

  • Increase in knowledge which leads to increased confidence in your abilities.
  • Recognition in your district and by your peers.
  • Knowledge gained from a network of school facility managers and industry professionals.
  • Familiarity with current topics, trends and legislation affecting school facilities management.
  • Improved employment options.
  • Enhanced leadership skills.

 

Program Oversight

The certification program is managed by WASBO University with support from WASBO's School Facility Committee.

 

Required Hours for Certification

To obtain core Certification, an applicant must complete 32 hours of the WASBO Facilities Manager Core Certification curriculum.

 

Frequency of Course Offerings

Each year, courses are offered at the WASBO Facilities Management Conference, Spring Conference, Fall Conference and Midwest Facility MastersConference. A complete module is offered at each of these conferences. Additional sessions are offered at the Custodial & Maintenance Conferences. In a typical year, WASBO offers approximately 15 to 20 hours of courses, or 3-4 Modules, allowing a participant to complete the Certification in as little as two years.

 

To Receive Credit

At each course, scan the QR code in each session room using the WASBO GO App. For more information, visit wasbo.com/wasbogo. A sign-sheet sheet will be available as a back up. Your scan or signature will verify your attendance. This is our only record of your participation and must be recorded during session attendance to receive credit.

Scholarship for Women Facility Leaders

School facilities play a crucial role in fostering environments where students, teachers, and communities thrive. Leadership in this field requires vision, dedication, and a unique ability to balance operational excellence with educational needs. Historically, however, women have been underrepresented in these pivotal leadership roles. WASBO's Annual Elizabeth Kane Scholarship for Women School Facility Leaders is designed to change that narrative. The purpose of this scholarship is to recognize the vital contributions women bring to the profession and seeks to empower women with the resources and opportunities needed to succeed. This annual scholarship is awarded to a woman looking to complete her Facility Manager Core Certification! The scholarship will be awarded at the upcoming Facilities Management Conference.

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Certification Course Calendar

Course Name 2026 Fall 2026 Midwest Facility Masters 2027 Facility Management Conference 2027 Spring 2027 Fall 2027 Midwest Facility Masters 2028 Facility Management Conference 2028 Spring
School Business Ethics
FCM- Custodial Operations (Module 1)

FCM- Building Systems (Module 2)


FCM- Environmental Health & Safety (Module 3)



FCM- Maintenance & Operations (Module 4)


FCM- Facility Life Cycle & Budgeting (Module 5)


FCM- Leadership (Module 6)

FCM- Emergency Management, School Safety & Security (Module 7)
FCM- Business and Human Resources (Module 8)

 

 

All Certifications

Accounting in Wisconsin Schools

14 Courses • 126 Hours • 12-24 Months to Complete

Accounts Payable in Wisconsin Schools

7 Courses • 64 Hours • 12-24 Months to Complete

Facility Lead & Operations

21 Courses • 140 Hours • 18-24 Months to Complete

Facility Manager Core Certification

9 Courses • 32 Hours • 12-24 Months to Complete

Human Resources in Wisconsin Schools

10 Courses • 72 Hours • 12-24 Months to Complete

Payroll in Wisconsin Schools

6 Courses • 64 Hours • 12-24 Months to Complete

Project Management & Innovation

8 Courses • 66 Hours • 12-24 Months to Complete

School Business Office Professionals

4 Courses • 40 Hours • About 9 Months to Complete

Wisconsin School Business Official

29 Courses • 230 Hours • 18-36 Months to Complete

Wisconsin School Risk Manager

7 Courses • 34 Hours • About 9 Months to Complete