What Is A CBM?

What a CBM Actually Is

In this context, CBM stands for Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. It is a professional credential for on-air weather communicators, awarded by the American Meteorological Society. It signals that a broadcaster has demonstrated both scientific knowledge and the ability to present weather clearly and accurately to a public audience.

That distinction matters because the acronym "CBM" is shared by several unrelated credentials and technical terms in other industries. Everything on this page concerns the broadcast meteorology credential only. If you landed here looking for a general definition, our companion pages on what CBM stands for and the meaning of CBM cover the acronym question directly, while What Is CBM Certification? goes deeper into the certification itself.

The credential is built around a simple premise: television, radio and digital weathercasters carry real public-safety responsibility. When a tornado warning or hurricane forecast reaches viewers, the person delivering it should be able to demonstrate competence in the underlying science and in the craft of communication. The CBM is the AMS's way of formalizing that standard.

Who Issues the Credential and Who Hires for It

The American Meteorological Society administers the program. Candidates apply through AMS before scheduling anything. For the written test, the current delivery provider is SMT/Prometric, though older AMS FAQ material still references PSI, so always confirm details against your current appointment confirmation rather than relying on older documents.

The people who care about the CBM are mainly employers and audiences in broadcast media:

• Local television stations that employ chief meteorologists, morning and evening weathercasters, and weekend anchors.
• Radio and digital weather outlets that need credible forecast communicators.
• Station managers and news directors who use credentials as a trust signal when hiring or promoting on-air talent.
• Viewers, who may recognize the seal as an indicator of professional standing.

Whether the credential changes your earning power depends heavily on market size and employer, and we do not publish invented figures here. For a grounded discussion, see our CBM salary guide, our overview of CBM jobs, and the broader ROI analysis of whether the certification is worth it.

The Two-Part Structure: Written Test Plus Weathercasts

Most professional certifications hinge on a single exam. The CBM does not. It combines a knowledge test with a performance review, which is what makes it distinctive among weather credentials.

The two components assess different things and are scored by different criteria. A candidate can be an excellent presenter and still struggle with the science, or the reverse. Treating them as separate projects, with separate preparation plans, is the most practical way to approach the credential.

Who Qualifies to Apply

The CBM is not an entry-level credential. AMS expects applicants to already be working in the field. The core prerequisites are:

• An accredited meteorology or atmospheric-science degree, or an approved equivalent.
• The required coursework, documented with transcripts.
• On-air experience of 2 years full-time or 3 years part-time.

One detail trips up many early-career applicants: student-station work is excluded from the on-air experience count. Time at a campus broadcast operation does not satisfy the requirement, so a recent graduate with strong student credits may still be a year or two away from eligibility.

Based on the public materials reviewed, there is no separate training-hour or reference requirement beyond these items. For the full checklist and edge cases around equivalent degrees, read our dedicated CBM requirements guide.

What the Written Test Looks Like

The written test is a 100-question exam made up of multiple-choice and true/false items. It is closed book, and the passing score is 75%. AMS does not disclose how many of the 100 questions are scored versus unscored, so you should prepare as though every question counts.

The time limit is stated as 120 minutes in a legacy-provider official FAQ. Because provider details have changed over time, reconfirm the time allowance with your current appointment details. Calculator policy and any adaptive-testing behavior could not be verified from public sources, so check those with the testing provider before exam day rather than assuming.

Testing can be taken remotely or at a center, which affects cost (covered below). For the scoring threshold in depth, see our CBM passing score article, and for a candid look at difficulty, how hard the CBM exam is.

The Fifteen Subject Areas, Explained

AMS publishes a written-test reference list organized under fifteen substantive subject headings. The Glossary of Meteorology entry that precedes them is a general terminology resource, not a sixteenth subject. Crucially, AMS does not publish topic percentages or an official weighted blueprint, so no domain can be honestly labeled "heaviest." Prepare broadly rather than betting on a guessed weighting.

Here is how the fifteen areas group conceptually. For a deeper walk through each, see the complete guide to all 15 CBM content areas.

How the Weathercast Evaluation Works

The second half of certification is a review of your actual on-air work. You submit two additional weathercasts: one active and one routine, each a maximum of five minutes. Reviewers score them on three criteria: Graphical Content, Explanation and Presentation. A candidate must achieve an average above 3.0 in each of those three criteria separately, so a strong showing in one area cannot offset a weak one in another.

If you deliver forecasts in Spanish, submissions require an English transcript.

The distinction between "active" and "routine" is worth understanding. A routine weathercast reflects an ordinary forecast day, while an active one shows how you handle more eventful weather. Together they demonstrate range: you can inform calmly when little is happening and communicate clearly when conditions demand urgency.

1. Choose recordings that show your best, not merely your most recent, work.
2. Check that your graphics support, rather than clutter, the explanation.
3. Keep each submission inside the five-minute limit.
4. Have a trusted colleague review them against the three criteria before you submit.

Fees, Scheduling and Renewal Mechanics

Cost is one of the most common questions, so here are the verified figures. The application fee is $330 for AMS members and $660 for nonmembers. Each test scheduling adds a testing fee: $60 for remote, $75 at a US center, or $85 at an international center.

Those first-attempt totals exclude membership dues and your own preparation costs. Because the testing fee applies each time you schedule, a retake adds to the bill. Our CBM certification cost breakdown lays out the full picture.

Once certified, the credential is valid for one year. Annual renewal costs $206 for members and $515 for nonmembers, and certificants must also accumulate 28 professional-development points every five years. Plan for this ongoing commitment, not just the initial exam.

For testing windows and scheduling logistics, see CBM exam dates and deadlines. Remember the order of operations: apply through AMS first, then schedule.

Sequencing Your Preparation by Domain

You do not need an elaborate method, but a sensible order helps. Build from foundations toward hazards and applied topics, so later material rests on earlier understanding. The timeline below is one reasonable arrangement, not an official schedule.

Pair this with a closed-book mindset from the start, since the real test allows no reference materials. Our CBM study guide expands on resources and pacing, and the CBM cheat sheet is useful for last-minute consolidation. When you are ready to test yourself under realistic conditions, take a timed set on our CBM practice test platform.

If you want structured help beyond self-study, explore options under CBM training, and revisit the What Is CBM? overview if you need to anchor the basics.

Frequently Asked Questions