Certified Board Member
Description
The CBM (Certified Board Member) certification program is designed to equip professionals with the knowledge, skills, and strategic mindset required to serve as effective and competent board members, regardless of industry or sector.
It covers a range of critical topics such
as corporate
governance, board committee functions, board
performance, strategic planning, and leadership
within the boardroom.
The program provides participants with a comprehensive understanding of the roles and
responsibilities of a board member, along with practical tools
and decision-making techniques to make sound judgments and contribute to
organizational success.
The CBM certification is ideal for individuals who currently serve or aspire to serve on a board of directors. It is also well-suited for professionals who work closely with board members—such as senior executives, corporate secretaries, legal advisers, and governance consultants.
By earning the CBM credential, participants demonstrate their commitment to best practices in corporate governance, while enhancing their professional competence, credibility, and impact as board leaders.
Why Choose the CBM?
In today’s environment, where corporate governance is under increasing scrutiny from regulators, shareholders, and civil society, serving on a board of directors can no longer be improvised.
The CBM (Certified Board Member) certification is a strategic lever to help youThis program enables you to master the core mechanisms of board operations. You’ll be better equipped to make informed decisions and contribute to the long-term performance of your organization.
The CBM certification strengthens your positioning for governance-related roles—such as board member, committee chair, or corporate secretary—while increasing your professional legitimacy and potential for compensation and influence in your industry.
Beyond theory, the CBM program prepares you to add real value in your board contributions. You’ll learn to anticipate risks, challenge strategy, reinforce compliance, and protect your organization’s reputation.
Beyond theory, the CBM program prepares you to add real value in your board contributions. You’ll learn to anticipate risks, challenge strategy, reinforce compliance, and protect your organization’s reputation.
As a certified CBM board member, you’ll be equipped to champion the collective interest, boost shareholder value, and play an active role in shaping the strategic direction of your organization.
What You Will Learn
Board Processes and Practices
Board Leadership Roles and Responsibilities
Board Structure and Committees
Board Performance and Continuous Improvement
Corporate Issues and Ethical Considerations
Why Get Certified ?
In an increasingly competitive and demanding professional world, certification is a career accelerator and a powerful differentiator. It allows you to stand out from the crowd, officially validate your expertise, and unlock access to high-value opportunities.
Discover why earning a certification like CBM is a smart investmentDifferentiate yourself in a crowded market
Gain access to new career opportunities
Increase your professional credibility
Boost your earning potential and influence
Commit to lifelong learning and excellence
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the CBM (Certified Board Member) certification, candidates must meet all of the following requirements:
- Hold a Bachelor's degree or higher
- From an accredited and recognized institution of higher education.
- Have at least two (2) years of professional experience
- Serving as a board member or in any governance-related position within an organization.
- Have successfully obtained the CCGE (Certified Corporate Governance Expert) certification
- CBM is the second level in the GECB governance certification track. The CCGE certification is a mandatory prerequisite for admission into the CBM program.
Submit an application file to GECB
Each applicant must:
• Complete an online application form,
• Submit an up-to-date CV,
• Provide a copy of their CCGE certificate,
• Include a motivation
letter or a letter of recommendation.
All applications are subject to review and validation by GECB.
Program Overview
The CBM certification program is built around 12 essential modules, covering the core competencies required to serve effectively on a board of directors.
Introduction to Board Processes
o Definition and importance of board processes
o Overview of key board processes and practices
o Best practices for efficient board operations
Board Meetings
o Scheduling and planning board meetings
o Effective meeting agendas and minutes
o Role of the board secretary
Decision-Making Processes
o Techniques for effective decision-making
o Managing conflicts of interest
o Ensuring accountability and transparency in decisions
Documentation and Record-Keeping
o Importance of proper documentation
o Best practices for maintaining board records
o Legal and regulatory requirements for documentation
Role of the Chairman
o Responsibilities and duties of the chairman
o Leadership qualities of an effective chairman
o Relationship between the chairman and CEO
Board Leadership Skills
o Developing strategic vision and direction
o Facilitating board discussions and decision-making
o Conflict resolution and consensus building
Succession Planning for the Chairman
o Importance of succession planning
o Developing a succession plan
o Transitioning leadership smoothly
Principles of Board Compensation
o Importance of fair and transparent board compensation
o Aligning compensation with corporate goals
o Best practices for determining board compensation
Components of Board Compensation
o Fixed and variable compensation
o Incentives and performance-based compensation
o Benefits and perks for board members
Evaluating Board Compensation
o Methods for evaluating board compensation
o Benchmarking against industry standards
o Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
Principles of Executive Compensation
o Aligning executive compensation with corporate strategy
o Importance of transparency and fairness
o Best practices for determining executive compensation
Components of Executive Compensation
o Base salary, bonuses, and incentives
o Long-term performance-based compensation
o Benefits, perks, and severance packages
Evaluating Executive Compensation
o Methods for evaluating executive compensation
o Benchmarking against industry standards
o Ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements
Role and Responsibilities of the Audit Committee
o Importance of the audit committee
o Key responsibilities and duties
o Relationship with internal and external auditors
Audit Committee Processes
o Conducting effective audit committee meetings
o Reviewing financial statements and audit reports
o Ensuring audit independence and objectivity
Audit Committee Best Practices
o Enhancing audit committee effectiveness
o Developing audit committee charters
o Continuous education and training for audit committee members
Role and Responsibilities of the Governance Committee
o Importance of the governance committee
o Key responsibilities and duties
o Relationship with the board and management
Governance Committee Processes
o Conducting effective governance committee meetings
o Reviewing governance policies and practices
o Ensuring compliance with governance frameworks
Governance Committee Best Practices
o Enhancing governance committee effectiveness
o Developing governance committee charters
o Continuous education and training for governance committee members
Role and Responsibilities of the Nominating Committee
o Importance of the nominating committee
o Key responsibilities and duties
o Relationship with the board and shareholders
Nominating Committee Processes
o Conducting effective nominating committee meetings
o Identifying and evaluating board candidates
o Ensuring diversity and inclusion in board nominations
Nominating Committee Best Practices
o Enhancing nominating committee effectiveness
o Developing nominating committee charters
o Continuous education and training for nominating committee members
Role and Responsibilities of the Compensation Committee
o Importance of the compensation committee
o Key responsibilities and duties
o Relationship with the board and management
Compensation Committee Processes
o Conducting effective compensation committee meetings
o Reviewing and approving executive compensation
o Ensuring alignment with corporate goals and strategy
Compensation Committee Best Practices
o Enhancing compensation committee effectiveness
o Developing compensation committee charters
o Continuous education and training for compensation committee members
Role and Responsibilities of the Risk Management Committee
o Importance of the risk management committee
o Key responsibilities and duties
o Relationship with the board and management
Risk Management Committee Processes
o Conducting effective risk management committee meetings
o Identifying and assessing organizational risks
o Developing and implementing risk management strategies
Risk Management Committee Best Practices
o Enhancing risk management committee effectiveness
o Developing risk management committee charters
o Continuous education and training for risk management committee members
Evaluating Board Performance
o Importance of board performance evaluation
o Methods for evaluating board performance
o Benchmarking against best practices
Continuous Improvement for the Board
o Identifying areas for improvement
o Developing and implementing improvement initiatives
o Monitoring and evaluating progress
Board Development and Education
o Importance of continuous education for board members
o Developing a board education program
o Encouraging board member participation in training and development
Overview of Corporate Issues
o Identifying key corporate issues
o Impact of corporate issues on governance and performance
o Strategies for addressing corporate issues
Corporate Governance and Regulatory Compliance
o Importance of regulatory compliance
o Key regulatory requirements for corporate governance
o Ensuring compliance with laws and regulations
Corporate Strategy and Governance
o Aligning corporate strategy with governance practices
o Role of the board in strategic planning
o Monitoring and evaluating strategic initiatives
Board Relations with Management and Stakeholders
o Board management relationship and communication
o Shareholder engagement and activism
o Board oversight of stakeholder interests
o Board engagement with external stakeholders (e.g., regulators, media, NGOs)
Legal Responsibilities of Board Members
o Understanding the legal duties of board members
o Ensuring compliance with legal requirements
o Managing legal risks
Ethical Responsibilities of Board Members
o Importance of ethical behavior in governance
o Developing and implementing a code of ethics
o Promoting an ethical culture within the organization
Managing Legal and Ethical Issues
o Identifying and addressing legal and ethical issues
o Strategies for resolving conflicts of interest
o Ensuring transparency and accountability
About The GECB-IAF
The GECB-CGF, or Corporate Governance Framework, is the foundational model that supports the entire GECB corporate governance certification track.
Developed by GECB experts, this Corporate Governance Framework (GECB-CGF) offers a structured, practical, and stakeholder-driven approach for implementing effective governance systems across all types of organizations—public, private, or nonprofit.
This exclusive framework helps professionals:
- Structure governance initiatives around clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and processes.
- Align governance priorities with stakeholder expectations and long-term strategic goals.
- Integrate governance into enterprise risk management, ethics and CSR.
- Foster transparency, accountability, and sustainable value creation.
The GECB-CGF is not just a theoretical model —it is a robust implementation framework that guides professionals through every stage of designing, executing, and continuously improving corporate governance mechanisms.
The GECB-CGF is embedded across the three progressive levels of GECB’s governance certification program:
- CCGE – Certified Corporate Governance Expert
- Focused on the design and implementation of a stakeholder-driven governance framework.
- CBM – Certified Board Member
- Focused on strategic leadership, boardroom effectiveness, and decision-making at the board level.
- CCGA – Certified Corporate Governance Auditor
- Focused on the independent assessment, review, and audit of governance systems.
The highest distinction awarded by GECB, reserved for elite professionals who complete the full corporate governance track.
- Joining the GECB Governance Leaders Circle, an international community of recognized experts
- Being invited to consult with GECB on thought leadership, framework updates, and strategic innovation
- Publishing high-value articles, case studies, and insights, promoted by GECB to boost your international personal brand
- Being invited to speak at GECB webinars, virtual summits, and events
- Receiving the official Ambassador digital badge for LinkedIn, CVs, and email signatures
- Gaining Accredited Trainer status with priority assignments at GECB’s global partner training centers (ATCs)
- Accessing exclusive premium content: advanced case studies, strategic tools, benchmarking resources, and global insights
- Take advantage of a single and discounted fee of $149 for the bundled renewal of all your GECB-CGF certifications (instead of paying for each renewal separately).
- And above all, earning recognition as a globally credible, visible, and influential expert in corporate governance leadership
Certification Toolkit
599 USD
- A comprehensive governance guide covering the methodology to structure, operate, and optimize a board and its committees, aligned with the GECB-CGF.
- Hundreds of exam-style multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to reinforce your understanding and simulate the actual certification experience.
- Self-paced learning materials, continuous updates, and personalized progress tracking—accessible anytime, anywhere.
- Access to the official online certification exam, remotely proctored and available 24/7 to accommodate your schedule.
- Upon successful completion, receive a verifiable digital certificate, easily shareable on LinkedIn, CVs, and professional profiles.
- Everything you need to learn, practice, apply, and get certified—without extra fees or surprises.
- Certification validity: 3 years, renewable indefinitely with simplified bundled renewal options.
