Alabama Municipal Clerk Training
The Certification Institute for Municipal Clerks (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk Academy (MMC) are held biannually at The University of Alabama's Tuscaloosa campus, and the annual conference is held at locations around the state.
Overview
The Certified Municipal Clerk Institute (CMC), Master Municipal Clerk Academy (MMC), and Annual Conference for Municipal Clerks and Administrators are designed to assist and educate municipal clerks in their ever-expanding responsibilities.
Through the bi-annual training institutes and the annual conference, Alabama clerks have the valuable opportunity to learn from experts and each other on best practice procedures for their municipalities. The program offers solutions to common problems and helps municipal clerks extend their critical professional capacities at all levels of government. The CMC and MMC training institutes are offered twice per year in Tuscaloosa, and the annual conference is held at locations around the state.
| Upcoming Events | December 9 (Athenian Dialog club only) December 10-12, 2025 **Due to 2025 elections, the fall institute and winter conference will be combined** |
| Location | Bryant Conference Center 240 Paul W. Bryant Drive Tuscaloosa, AL 35487 |
| Lodging | Hotel Captstone The Alamamite |
The Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education offers professional training opportunities for Municipal Clerks to assist them in earning their Alabama Certified Municipal Clerk and Master Municipal Clerk professional designations. The Certification Institute for Municipal Clerks (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk Academy (MMC) are held biannually. The Annual Municipal Clerks and Administrators Conference is held annually, traditionally in the fall, in various locations around the state. The annual conference provides city clerks and administrators with an overview of important issues and concerns facing them professionally.
This training is not exclusive to municipal clerks; many individuals with similar job responsibilities attend. However, we do encourage you to join the Alabama Association for Municipal Clerks and Administrators. For more information on receiving a certificate through The University of Alabama, please refer to the Certification page.
AAMCA 2025-2026 Officers
- President – Beth Lee, City of Rainbow City
- President-Elect –
- Secretary – Amanda Traywick, City of Helena
- Treasurer – Shannon Duck, Town of Eclectic
Committee Members
- Linda Ferguson, Town of Millport
- Wendy Dickerson, City of Hoover
- Greg Cochran, Alabama League of Municipalities
- Kaycea Sasser, Town of South Vinemont
- Lori Lein, Alabama League of Municipalities
- Sarah McKinney, Town of Red Bay
Continuing Education
Each Municipal Clerks Training Institute provides 20 contact hours of continuing education. These programs also offer CPE through the Alabama State Board of Public Accountancy. For questions regarding continuing education or to request a copy of your transcript from The University of Alabama, please email Jamie Dykes at professionaldevelopment@ua.edu. To request a copy of past Certificates of Attendance, please contact the registration department at 205-348-3000.
2025 Spring Institute
The agenda for Spring Institute will focus on election protocol and take a deeper dive into the mechanics of an election. We will discuss the dos and don’ts of elections, ethics, absentee ballots, voter registration lists, election overview, and poll workers. We will add the speakers as they confirm their topics. Click below to discover some of the topics we will be covering.
Topics
- Brief summary of election deadlines (post March 5)
- Notice of Elections
- Statements of Candidacy
- Statements of Economic Interests (Ethics)
- Candidate Qualifications
- Final Date to Qualify
- When only one candidate qualifies for an office
- Fair Campaign Practices Act (FCPA)
- Summary of the purpose of FCPA
- Municipalities have no enforcement authority of FCPA
- Printing of Ballots (ES&S)
- Ordering ballots and election supplies
- Ordering electronic tabulators
- Perhaps use of electronic tabulators (maybe later on “Election Day”)
- Election Offenses
- Political activity of municipal employees
- Use of public buildings for election purposes
- Voters List (Legal talks about rules; clerk gives practical application)
- Preparing voters list
- Absentee Voting (Legal discussions about the rules; clerk helps give practical application)
- Reasons for voting absentee
- Absentee supplies
- Absentee applications
- Voter ID
- List of Absentee Voters – No public posting
- Fraudulent activity
- Absentee deadlines
- Receipt of absentee ballots
- List of absentee ballot applicants to poll workers
- Issues with absentee ballots
- Fraudulent activity
- Voter claims to have not received a ballot
- Provisional absentee ballots
- Unused absentee supplies
- Poll Workers
- Polling place poll workers
- Absentee ballot poll workers
- Poll worker training
- Compensation for poll workers
- Election Day
- Swearing in and testing devices
- Opening polls
- Voter identification
- Provisional ballot process
- Closing polls
- Tabulating results
- Proximity to polling place
- Poll watchers
- Recounts
- Canvassing Results
- Notice to probate judge, SOS, and ALM
- Elections Contests
Certification
Alabama Municipal Clerks Institute & Academy
Certified Municipal Clerks (CMC)
The Certified Municipal Clerk Institute is designed to inform municipal clerks of their expanding responsibilities, shared experiences, and improved work procedures. This program offers solutions to common problems and helps municipal clerks extend their critical professional capacities at all levels of government. The program is designed to enhance the job performance of the clerk in small and large municipalities. To earn the state CMC designation, a municipal clerk must attend six UA training institutes for a total of 120 contact hours. These training institutes are designed in accordance with the IIMC Education Guidelines. The credits earned through the state training program can be applied toward the International CMC certification. The CMC program prepares the applicants to meet the challenges of the complex role of the municipal clerk.
Master Municipal Clerk (MMC)
The Master Municipal Clerk Academy is an advanced institute with content created for the more tenured and experienced municipal clerk. For completion of the state Master Municipal Clerk Academy individuals must complete the CMC requirements of six training institutes as well as an additional six, for a total of twelve training institutes. All points for MMC certification shall be earned according to the provisions of the IIMC Education Guidelines. The credits earned through the state training program can be applied toward the International MMC certification.
Visit the Alabama Association of Municipal Clerks and Administrators, for more information,
For more information on the International Institute of Municipal Clerks, please visit their website.
Training Location and Lodging
The training will be held at the Bryant Conference Center located in the heart of Tuscaloosa on The University of Alabama campus.
Directions
Parking Your Vehicle
Attendees can park at the Capstone Parking Deck, which is located across the street from the Bryant Conference Center. A limited number of handicap parking spaces are available in front of the Conference Center. Approximately one week prior to the conference start date, you will receive a parking permit. The parking permit will only be valid for the Capstone Parking Deck and the handicap spaces in front of the Bryant Conference Center.
Hotel Accommodations
Hotel Capstone
320 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, ALCall 205-752-3200 for lodging needs or click to register for the early bird rate!
The Alamite
2321 6th Street, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401Call 205-860-7998 for lodging needs or click to book your group rate for the Municipal Clerks Winter Conference.
Registration
December 9 (Athenian Dialog club only) 10-12, 2025
Municipal Clerks Fall Institute | Bryant Conference Center, Tuscaloosa, AL.
$265.00 EARLY BIRD UNTIL NOVEMBER 14, 2025
$285.00 AFTER NOVEMBER 14, 2025
**Please note December 9 is for book club only**
Register Online
You will be taken to our online registration area when you click the registration link below. The screen will look different from this part of our website and will open in a new window. If you register more than one person, each must have an individual email address to utilize the online registration system.
$265.00 EARLY BIRD UNTIL NOVEMBER 14, 2025
$285.00 AFTER NOVEMBER 14, 2025
Register By Mail
Navigate to a printable version of the form.
Register by Phone
Our Registration Services Office is open Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. To register by phone or for inquiries regarding your registration, please call 205-348-3000.
Special Accommodation Requests
The University of Alabama is committed to complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Requests for accommodation of physical and/or dietary needs should be made at least 30 calendar days in advance of the program date. Please email your request to professionaldevelopment@ua.edu.
Need our STAARS Vendor Number? Please use VC000118827 for UA Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
A portion of the invoice amount for this program will go to the Capstone Lifelong Learning Foundation to support activities of The University of Alabama and the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
Cancellation Policy
A cancellation charge of 100% of the registration fee will be assessed on cancellations occurring within seven (7) days of the start of this session. Refunds will not be granted after the program has begun. The University of Alabama reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or combine class sections, to limit registration, or to change instructors. Contact the Registration Services department at 205-348-3000 or registration_services@ua.edu to cancel your registration. View the OTIDE Cancellation Policy.
Financial Assistance
John G. Burton Endowment Scholarship
Financial Assistance for Training for Municipal WorkersThe endowment has a two-fold purpose: To advance the content, quality, and effectiveness of municipal programs held at The University of Alabama’s Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education, and to help perpetuate and improve the quality of services rendered by the League of Municipalities to their constituents. The fund is administered by a panel consisting of the President of the League, the Executive Director of the League of Municipalities, the Director of the Division of Professional and Management Development, and the Associate Provost of the Office of Teaching Innovation and Digital Education.
International Institute of Municipal Clerks Foundation Scholarship
CMC/MMC Scholarship application will open on September 1, 2025The IIMC Foundation Scholarship Program allows IIMC members in each Region an opportunity to receive a Scholarship to attend an IIMC Institute program. The scholarship will be awarded at the completion of CMC or MMC. Applications will be sent to each IIMC Region Director to confirm applicants’ eligibility. Region Directors will review all submissions and submit their award nominations/selections to IIMC Headquarters for recipient notification.
Sponsor and Exhibitor Opportunities:
Capstone Sponsor $2,500
- Recognized as a sponsor of reception
- Includes two conference registrations
- One exhibit table
- One stuffer in the conference bag
- 3-5 minutes at the podium during the program
- Email recognition
- Logo in the printed program
- Post conference attendee list
- Logo recognition at the spring and fall training institutes, website, and social media
Gold Sponsor $1,750
- Recognized as a sponsor of breakfast
- Includes one conference registration
- One exhibit table
- One stuffer in the conference bag
- 3-5 minutes at the podium during the program
- Recognition on the website
- Logo in the printed program
Silver Sponsor $1,200
- Recognized as a sponsor of lunch
- Includes one conference registration
- One exhibit table
- One stuffer in the conference bag
- Recognition on the website
- Logo in the printed program
Bronze Sponsor $800
- Recognized as a sponsor of refreshment break
- Includes one conference registration
- One exhibit table
- Recognition on website
- Logo in the printed program
Questions about the training?
Contact Jamie Dykes for more information.
Jamie Dykes
