I N S T I T U T E o f H A Z A R D O U S M AT E R I A L S M A N A G E M E N T
S P E C I F I C AT I O N B LU E P R I N T
Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP)
Specification Blueprint for the Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner
Effective 1 April 2014
A Certified Hazardous Materials Practitioner (CHMP) is a professional experienced in handling hazardous
materials in a wide variety of specialties, such as environmental protection, emergency response, safety,
transportation, security, and cleaning up contaminated sites. The CHMP professional focuses more on
hands-on or workplace experience as a practitioner.
The CHMP examination is a testing instrument designed to evaluate candidates seeking professional
certification in the field of hazardous materials management. This Specification Blueprint is intended to
offer guidance to candidates by outlining reasonably expected duties and tasks based on surveys of what
hazardous materials managers do in practice. The Blueprint below describes the subject matter covered
by the examination. All test items will be drawn from among the duty areas of the Specification Blueprint.
This Specification Blueprint lists below each duty area with tasks given under each duty. A percentage
label accompanies each duty area in this Specification Blueprint. This percentage represents the pro-
portion of the actual CHMP examination devoted to that duty area. The target number of exam items in
each duty area is also indicated. Tasks provide reference for activities conducted under each duty area.
Specification Blueprint for the CHMP Examination
DUTY AREAS % OF EXAM TASKS
Identification, Handling, 40 Identify applicable regulations/standards, Implement
Shipment of Hazardous Mate- regulatory compliance activities; Identify hazardous ma-
rials in Compliance with Appli- terials, hazardous waste, and the differences between
cable US Federal Laws & Reg-
ulations them; Handle hazardous materials on-site; Characterize
wastes; Store hazardous materials; Receive hazardous
materials; Ship/transport hazardous materials; Dispose
of hazardous materials and waste; Participate in pollu-
tion prevention programs; Prepare and maintain records
and reports
Management of Emergencies & 10 Incident Response Planning & Response; Role of Inci-
Incidents (E&I) dent Command System; Provide Notification, Prepare
and maintain records and reports; Contingency Planning
& Countermeasure Control
Specification Blueprint for the CHMP Examination (continued)
DUTY AREAS % OF EXAM TASKS
Sampling and Analysis of 15 Implement a sampling and analysis plan; Use direct-read-
Hazardous Materials/Waste ing instruments; Collect samples for analysis; Interpret an-
alytical data; Knowledge of Analytical Methods (i.e. EPA-
SW846); Industrial Hygiene
Site Investigation and 15 Implement Health & Safety Plan (HASP); Conduct site
Remediation investigation; Conduct site assessment; Abate contam-
inated sites; Conduct Site activities; Conduct long-term
monitoring
Program and Project 20 Implement programs; Manage Projects; Communicate
Management program/project information; OSHA, EPA/RCRA & DOT
Requirements for training; Select & use proper Personal
Protective Equipment (PPE)
11900 Parklawn Drive
Suite 450
Rockville, MD 20852
P: (301) 984-8969
F: (301) 984-1516
www.ihmm.org
