The National Certified Public Manager program originated at the University of Georgia's Institute of Government in 1976. Other states quickly endorsed the program, and Georgia's curriculum and format became the prototype for CPM nationwide.

Formed in 1979, the National Certified Public Manager Consortium establishes and preserves standards for the Certified Public ManagerŪ (CPM) designation. The purpose of the Consortium is to promote state CPM programs by providing and monitoring accreditation standards, facilitating program development, encouraging innovation and developing linkages with programs and organizations with similar concerns. Accreditation standards of these CPM programs is administered by the National CPM Consortium with more than 26 members currently accredited or active. The Consortium is the owner of the trademark for the Certified Public ManagerŪ designation.