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- calendar_today October 25, 2026
Annual Graduation for Alabama Municipal Officials
The Alabama League of Municipalities hosted its annual graduation and awards ceremonies for municipal officials on October 20, 2026, at the Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center. This year, more than 90 local leaders earned certification through the organization's training programs designed to strengthen local governance and public service.
Certified Municipal Official Program Details
The Certified Municipal Official program is guided by the Alabama Municipal Official Training Act, which came into effect on January 1, 2025. According to this act, mayors and city council members who are not already certified are required to complete 40 hours of training within their terms—split evenly between core and noncore courses. Officials with basic certification must also pursue five additional hours of training annually.
Participants engage in classroom instruction as well as online courses focusing on municipal government operations, best practices, and compliance with state laws. The program offers three levels of certification, achieved by completing 40, 80, and 120 credit hours respectively.
Recognition of Graduates and Achievements
The 2026 ceremony celebrated 98 graduates from the Certified Municipal Official training program. This included:
- 50 certified municipal officials
- 41 advanced certified municipal officials
- 8 CMO emeriti
- 11 CMO Tier II emeriti
- 1 CMO Tier III emeritus who completed more than 120 credit hours
Additionally, twelve graduates earned both their basic and advanced certifications simultaneously. The league presented Certified Municipal Achievement Awards to the municipalities of Glencoe, Hokes Bluff, and Shorter, recognizing them for having every mayor and council member complete at least 40 hours of training in a single year. These awards, established in 2018, highlight a community's commitment to officials' education and development.
Alabama League of Municipalities’ Commitment to Professional Development
League Executive Director Greg Cochran praised the 2026 graduates, noting the importance of ongoing education for municipal leaders: “With the world continuously changing, lifelong learning is essential for the betterment of our communities, and the Alabama League of Municipalities remains dedicated to providing intentional, engaging opportunities for municipal officials to learn best practices and skills to be their best selves.”
Since launching more than 32 years ago, over 5,200 municipal officials have participated in the Alabama League of Municipalities’ municipal government training programs, reflecting a broad commitment to municipal leadership development across the state.
Impact of Training on Local Governance
The continual training and certification of city leaders aim to improve local governance by equipping municipal officials with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective public service. By fulfilling the requirements of the Alabama municipal official training act, local leaders are better prepared to navigate challenges and promote strong community development. The emphasis on lifelong learning and compliance ensures that officials remain current with evolving legal, administrative, and civic responsibilities.
View the full list of 2026 graduates and award recipientsSource: alreporter.com.
