Because of tough certification requirements in New Jersey, this state has the most well educated clerks' in the nation.

Great idea! Online certification couldn't be easier either. Even clerks can never have enough know-how and the public should know that they possesss a 'standard' level of information and knowledge

On line courses would be excellent!!! I've always wanted to attain certification but the July Institute never worked out. Great idea!

I received my CMC in 1995 and believe clerks should be certified. If NY clerks serve at the pleasure of the mayor, how can certification be required without changing Village Law?

On-line training courses could help towards goa of certification, but classroom a MUST because of all the laws we must know and of course law is a matter of interpretation. The "Buts" in these classes are the most educational.

On-line training would be wonderful because of city clerks are very busy and due to time and budget constraints are not always able to attend conferences, seminars & workshops related to their position. I am very new to this position and am in need of additional training just to get me caught up on things. I was a deputy for 3 ½ years prior to becoming city clerk. I have attended the IIMC approved Municipal Clerk Institute training but there is a need for more training.

On-line training courses would be great as long as we could use them for certification in our individual states and with IIMC.

As a reference, are all City Managers required to have certification for their positions. If the requirement of certification would help to protect the position of the City Clerk, and bring more professionalism to the position, then I am all for it.

On-line training would be great -- much easier than attending school, and less expensive!

Not all municipal clerks are elected. appointed clerks do not always know if they will be re-appointed every 2/4 years, making it difficult to puruse [sic] certification under those conditions. Also, some certification requirements are difficult for those clerks who are physically far away from certification locations and/or do not have expenses for training, etc. approved in budget lines.

While certification is highly encouraged, in New York State where most Town Clerks are elected, this would be an impossibility to implement. Having been both an appointed Clerk and an elected Clerk, I prefer to be elected. You campaign on your merits and accomplishments and are not fired at the whim of a Mayor. The people of the community speak at the polls and this is most important. On line training would certainly be beneficial, as well as home study courses.

In small Villages, clerks are appointed by the Mayor, in our Village for a term of two (2) years. It takes longer than that to become certified and the expense is to great when you consider the cost of the seminars and the schooling. If the Clerks position was given differently it may be ok. Also there are not that many people in small towns and Villages that apply for the clerks poisition due to the fact that you have to live in the Village/Town. Having to be certified would give even less choices. I do think it is good to be certified and I myself am trying to do so, however, it should be the Clerks choice. I certainly think on line schooling that is applicable toward certification is a great idea and I would probably be one of the first to sign up.

Requirements and jobs vary too much between municipalities

On-line courses would help; but I do not think it should be a requirement