Authorized testing center in the Middle East

Lean Construction Education Program (LCEP) of AGC

LCI-Q has entered in a collaboration agreement with the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) to facilitate Lean Construction Education Program (LCEP) and the examination of Certificate of Management – Lean Construction (CM-Lean) in the Middle East.
CM-Lean exam will be offered on Saturdays at Qatar University.

Owners seek tangible results for their investment, consultants want to grow, contractors want to perform their role well and move on to the next project. All stakeholders involved in the construction industry have incentive to deliver projects faster and at a lower cost.

The structured curriculum of AGC is based on the holistic pursuit of continuous improvements aimed at minimizing costs and maximizing value at all phases of a project planning, including: design, construction, activation, operations, maintenance, salvaging and recycling.

AGC’s Lean Construction Education Course Curriculum includes:

Unit 1: Variation in Production Systems
Unit 2: Pull In Production
Unit 3: Lean Workstructuring
Unit 4: The Last Planner^® System
Unit 5: Lean Supply Chain and Assembly
Unit 6: Lean dDesign and Pre-Construction
Unit 7: Problem-Solving Principles and Tools

The AGC Certificate of Management-Lean Construction (CM-Lean)
The AGC Certificate of Management – Lean Construction (CM-Lean) is an assessment-based certificate credential that denotes knowledge and understanding of concepts related to Lean adoption, practice, and process transformation outlined in AGC’s Lean Construction Education Program (LCEP). Successful candidates will carry the CM-Lean designation.

Eligibility Requirements: Once CM-Lean candidates successfully complete the seven Lean Construction Education Program courses they are eligible to sit for an exam to earn the CM-Lean designation. All seven courses must be taken in a classroom environment. delivered by an approved instructor. Each participant has and retains their own copy of the Participant’s Manual for that unit and the participant’s attendance is documented with AGC of America for each participant upon completion of each unit. The courses are taught as designed and to their required duration.

CM-Lean candidates must successfully complete the seven Lean Construction Education Program courses, provide AGC with record of completion and have an approved application in advance of exam administration. Under the supervision of Lean Construction Institute – Qatar, the CM-Lean exam is now available to all eligible candidates in Qatar and the Middle East.

CM Lean exam application must be submitted online at AGC website: https://www.agc.org/agc-cm-lean-exam-application .

Exam fees of USD 575 will be collected by AGC after the candidate application is reviewed and approved.

The AGC CM-Lean Exam Application should only be filled out once all seven Lean Education Program courses have been taken. Applications will not be processed if all units have not been completed by the application date.

Please allow ten (10) business days once CM-Lean Exam Application form is submitted for it to be reviewed and approved. You will receive from AGC a follow-up email with details related to next steps.

Course Completion Policy: Candidates should take the exam within one year of completing the last of the seven Lean Construction Education Program units.

Passing Score:
Candidates who take the exam and receive a score of at least 105 out of a possible 150 will earn the CM-Lean designation. The passing score was determined by a statistical formula during the initial beta testing period. The exam is designed only to distinguish those who have the basic level of knowledge from those who do not. There is no evidence that someone who receives a very high score on the exam will perform significantly better on the job than someone whose score falls exactly at the passing point.

Computer-Based Testing:
The CM-Lean is a computer-based exam requiring candidates to use their own laptops for testing at an approved AGC Chapter test center. AGCA has contracted with ExamSoft Worldwide to provide the testing technology to deliver the exam and collect the credential fee.

ExamSoft ensures security through the entire testing process. During the exam the computer is completely locked down and blocked from the Internet, as well as all applications and functions. In addition, candidate’s activities are captured in case there is a need for post-exam audit or remediation. Access to the Internet is only required to download exams (pre-exam day) and to auto-upload answers (following the exam at the test center). Candidates are encouraged to have administrative rights to the laptop on exam day.

Candidates have the ability to advance through the exam and come back to an item if needed to make adjustments.

Exam Format:

The CM-Lean is a 150 multiple-choice exam, derived directly from the Lean Construction Education Program. Therefore, the CM-Lean exam is designed to measure knowledge obtained during one’s participation in these courses. Each question provides four answer options with one correct option. All items on the exam will be scored with the same point value.

Four hours will be given to complete the exam and total exam time is calculated in the testing software.

The exam contains 150 questions with the following number of questions from each unit:

Unit 1 : 19 questions

Unit 2 : 19 questions

Unit 3 : 18 questions

Unit 4 : 27 questions

Unit 5 : 27 questions

Unit 6 : 12 questions

Unit 7 : 28 questions

Re-testing:
If an individual does not pass the exam on the first attempt, the candidate may re-apply to take the exam within 30 calendar days from the previous exam date and up to three times in a calendar year. Contact the CM-Lean Administrator for further instructions.

In the event that you must re-take the exam there is a re-testing fee of USD100 payable to AGC.

CM-Lean Renewal Requirements:
The CM-Lean Certificate is valid for three (3) years. The CM-Lean was designed to denote knowledge and understanding of concepts related to lean adoption, practice and process transformation outlined in AGC’s Lean Construction Education Program. Because Lean concepts are always evolving, individuals need to keep current with these advancements and continue their learning through continuing education.

Once earned, the CM-Lean Certificate is valid for an initial period of three (3) years. Prior to the three year anniversary of an individual first earning the credential, the CM-Lean holder must submit thirty (30) hours of Lean-related continuing education (CE hours) earned during the previous three (3) years.

Once all CE hours are submitted and approved, applicants may submit the USD100 CM-Lean renewal fee at AGC website (click here).

CM-Lean holders will receive an updated digital badge, and their credential will be valid for an additional three (3) years.

Click here to review the renewal requirements for the CM-Lean.

As CM-Lean holders earn CE Hours they can submit them online through the CE portal for review.

To learn more about the CM-Lean renewal process, review the CM-Lean Renewal Guidelines.

Failure to Renew:

If a CM-Lean holder fails to renew their credential before their renewal date they will be placed in a probationary period for six (6) months. After the six (6) month probationary period and up to one (1) year past their renewal date, a CM-Lean holder must pay to AGC an increased renewal fee of USD250 and submit their continuing education credit to renew their credential.

Those who fail to submit their continuing education credit and renewal payment after one (1) year past their renewal date lose the right to use the CM-Lean designation in all its forms. If an individual seeks to regain their CM-Lean status after one (1) year, they may only do so after retaking and passing the most recent version of the CM-Lean exam at their own expense. If the most recent version of the CM-Lean exam differs from the exam the individual originally took to earn the credential, it may be necessary for that individual to retake the Lean Construction Education Program (LCEP) courses, although it is not a requirement.

What people are saying about the CM-Lean Credential: https://youtu.be/Ir8SZn31bWk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Program Overview

Tell me a little about the AGC’s LCEP. How do I register for the courses? Are there any prerequistes to be completed before taking the courses?

Everyone related to the construction process has incentive to get the project done faster and at a lower cost – from the project owners who want to see tangible results for their investment to the contractors and designers who want to do their job well and move on to the next project. Lean Construction is based on the holistic pursuit of continuous improvements aimed at minimizing costs and maximizing value on a construction project: planning, design, construction, activation, operations, maintenance, salvaging, and recycling.

To help contractors develop the knowledge needed to build lean, AGC developed the Lean Construction Education Program. Construction professionals at all experience levels will learn the building blocks necessary to transform their projects and companies into a lean operating system.

Unit 1 : Variation in Production Systems
Unit 2 : Pull in Production
Unit 3 : Lean Workstructuring
Unit 4 : The Last Planner^® System
Unit 5 : Lean Supply Chain and Assembly
Unit 6 : Lean Design and Pre-construction
Unit 7 : Problem-solving Principles and Tools

Where can I take the courses?

Lean Construction Institute – Qatar will offer Lean Construction Education Program of AGC. Please check the Learning page of LCI-Q website for course calendar.

Can I take the courses online or via self-study?

No. Participants must attend all seven courses in a classroom environment, delivered by an approved instructor, to be eligible to sit for the exam.

Do I have to take all seven courses? Can I just take the exam?

Participants must attend all seven courses in a classroom environment, delivered by an approved instructor, to be eligible to sit for the exam

How long are the courses?

It is a seven-course curriculum (35 hours total).

Do I have to take the courses in order?

It is not required that the courses be taken in order. However, the course materials do build upon each other and it is recommended that they be taken in order to maximize your experience.

Do I have to be an AGC or LCI-Q member in order to attend the class or sit for the exam?

No, you do not need to be an AGC or LCI-Q member to attend the course and sit for the exam. However, LCI-Q members receive 10% discount on LCEP courses.

I live in Egypt. Can I take the CM Lean exam under LCI-Q?

Yes, LCI-Q is authorized to facilitate CM Lean examination for qualified candidates residing in the Middle East.

CM-Lean Details

What is the CM-Lean credential?

The AGC Certificate of Management-Lean Construction (CM-Lean) is an assessment-based certificate credential that denotes knowledge and understanding of concepts related to lean adoption, practice and process transformation outlined in AGC’s Lean Construction Education Program. Successful candidates will carry the CM-Lean designation.

How do I earn my CM-Lean? How do I register for the CM-Lean exam? Which application(s) do I need to fill out?

Individuals earn the CM-Lean credential by:

Completing all seven LCEP courses, facilitated by an approved instructor
Must have approved application in advance of exam administration. Once you have completed the seven mandatory course and are ready to take the exam, you need to fill out the online CM-Lean application at AGC website.
Passing the CM-Lean exam

Can I sit for the exam without taking the courses?

Participants must attend all seven courses in a classroom environment, delivered by an approved instructor, to be eligible to sit for the exam.

How much will it cost to earn my CM-Lean?

Participants will need to pay to attend all seven LCEP and the exam fee. The cost of the individual LCEP courses varies by training location but is generally somewhere between USD1,400 and USD2,400 for all seven courses.

The fee for the CM-Lean exam is USD575, and in the event that you must re-take the exam there is a re-testing fee of USD100. Exam fees are payable to AGC.

What is covered in the CM-Lean exam?

The CM-Lean exam is based on learning from within the courses. The 150 questions of the exam can be found within the course materials.

What is the format of the exam and how much time will I be given?

The CM-Lean is a 150 question, multiple-choice exam, derived directly from the LCEP course content. Each question provides four answer options with one correct option. All items on the exam will be scored with the same point value. Four hours will be given to complete the exam and total exam time is calculated in the testing software.

Does the CM-LCEP expire?

Yes. The term of validity for the CM-Lean credential is three years from the date you pass the exam. This term was set to reflect the changing nature of this technology-based process. Participants will be required to pass an examination on changes to the practice to retain a valid credential or renew their credential by earning 30 Continuing Education (CE) hours.

Prior to the three year anniversary all CM-Lean holders are required to earn thirty (30) hours of Lean related Continuing Education (CE) hours during the three years. You can start submitting your hours through the CM-Lean Renewal web page as you earn your hours.

How do I show that I’ve earned my CM-Lean?

Following passing the exam and completion of the post-exam survey participants can immediately begin using the designation “CM-Lean” following their name. Participants will also receive a certificate from AGC of America acknowledging the receipt of the credential.

Instructors and Hosting Courses

What does it mean to be a LCEP approved instructor?

Instructors interested in teaching the courses must be approved by AGC of America. Following verification that the instructor meets the qualifications to facilitate that courses, they will be notified of their approval by the Director of LCEP.

Instructor approval many be revoked at any time due to poor participant evaluations or instructors failing to meet any of the standards outlined in the instructor requirements forms.

How do I become an approved instructor?

Instructors must complete the Instructor Requirements form and submit that, along with a resume detailing LCEP experience, to AGC of America. The form details the qualifications necessary to become approved to instruct the courses and other requirements, such as a review of the course materials and instructor orientation webinars.

More information on becoming an instructor can be found here

I am an approved instructor—do I still have to attend the course as a participant to sit for the exam?

Approved instructors, who have facilitated a course in the LCEP are not required to additionally take that specific course as a participant. Instructors should submit an application and include course dates they taught each unit. All courses must be taught or attended in order to qualify to sit for the exam.

I would like to host the program at my company. How do I do this?

Courses can be hosted by anyone so long as the following conditions are met:

Courses are taught by an approved instructor.
Each participant has and retains their own copy of the Participant’s Manual for that unit and the participant’s attendance is documented with AGC of America for each participant upon completion of each unit.
The courses are taught as designed and to their required duration.

Lean Construction Education Program (LCEP) of AGC
LCI-Q has entered in a collaboration agreement with the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) to facilitate Lean Construction Education Program (LCEP) and the examination of Certificate of Management – Lean Construction (CM-Lean) in the Middle East. CM-Lean exam will be offered on Saturdays at Qatar University.