What is NASMM?

NASMM is an acronym used by the National Association of Senior Move Managers.  This non-profit organization was formed in the early 2000’s by 16 of the country’s first senior move management companies who decided it was not only necessary, but critical, in legitimizing their industry by developing a strict accreditation program and set of ethical standards for all companies wishing to enter the industry.  Since its inception, NASMM has grown to include over 900 senior move management companies in the United States, Canada, as well as overseas and holds a national conference in a different major city annually that garners 400+ attendees from the industry and related fields.

NASMM’s rigorous accreditation program requires all applying companies to meet a strict set of ethical standards and good business practices before they can move past the provisional membership phase to full general membership, SMM-C (Certified Senior Move Manager) certification, and the eventual NASMM A+ accreditation.  The procedure begins with an application process requiring the business to provide copies of their general business liability insurance, two letters of recommendation from senior clients they have helped downsize, and a link to a website that highlights the downsizing services they offer.  Once the application is completed, the information included verified, and annual membership dues are paid, NASMM will approve the company for provisional membership.  With this provisional membership the company then has access to most of the educational resources offered by NASMM, but must complete the rest of the membership process before they are added to the directory.  To obtain full general membership, each of the company’s owners must complete NASMM’s four cornerstone educational courses that familiarize them with important topics in the industry, such as general ethical guidelines for working with seniors, safety protocols, how to develop contracts, and understanding liability issues.  These courses are also a prerequisite to obtaining SMM-C certification, which happens to be the next logical step for senior move managers seeking to legitimize the services they offer and further their own educational understanding of the senior move management industry.

One of the most impressive aspects of NASMM is their constant push to further member’s education and training within the industry.  They accomplish this by providing members with ample amounts of educational material and by offering opportunities for advancement within the association, the aforementioned SMM-C certification being the first of such advancements an owner of a member company will likely seek out.  Other than completing the requisite cornerstone classes, a member must also provide/complete the following in order to receive this title:  completion of 5 NASMM provided educational courses that delve into more SMM specific topics, such as aging-in-place and hoarding disorders, as well as at least 40 invoiced senior moves with all relevant back-up information included.  This certification program is the only one of its kind for companies within the SMM industry that is offered through a professional non-profit trade organization.  It is similar in its requirements to other professional trade certifications, such as those sought out by electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and other skilled contractors that will be working in or around a client’s place of residence.  Once SMM-C certification is received the business may then begin to work towards the most prestigious professional achievement within the SMM industry, NASMM A+ accreditation which involves a much larger number of invoiced and verified senior moves, as well as a stringent peer entity within NASMM.

NASMM has become a crucial part of the SMM industry through the numerous educational resources it provides to its members and the public, its strictly regulated accreditation programs that provide an indispensable amount of credibility to its member companies, and its insatiable hunger to improve the lives of the clients those companies serve.  If you or an elderly loved one is thinking about downsizing, contact NASMM for more information, or click this link /senior-move-manager-sc-nc-ga.

For more information on what is NASMM (National Association of Senior Move Managers), visit https://www.nasmm.org/.  For additional information on senior move management companies in South Carolina, visit Palmetto Commercial Services at https://www.palmettocommercialservices.com.