Certified Family Medical Leave Specialist - CFMLS

REGISTRATION: $1,200
REGISTER2025 Program Catalog Now Available
We are thrilled to share our 2025 Program Catalog and invite you to explore the programs we have planned for the coming year.
LEARN STRATEGIES TO SUCCESSFULLY MANAGE THE FMLA AND MINIMIZE ABUSE
While most employees do not abuse the FMLA, those who do can cause scheduling challenges, lost productivity, and damage to employee morale.
Earn your Family Medical Leave Specialist Certification from Michigan State University, one of the most recognized programs in Human Resources advanced education. You will gain a solid understanding of the FMLA, learn to manage FMLA absences, promote attendance, and ensure compliance.
The FMLA can be confusing. Obtain the most up-to-date information, get your questions answered, and develop strategies for continued improvement.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS GAINED
- Maximize attendance
- Minimize abuse of the FMLA
- Comply with the law and new regulations
- Integrate management of the FMLA, ADA, Workers' Compensation, and your short-term disability programs
- Make an informed, data-driven decision about how best to administer the FMLA in your organization
- Treat medical absences as a strategic imperative
This workshop will include a dedicated website with additional, valuable resources.
WHY CERTIFY?
Professional credentials are more important today than ever before. Earning your professional certification from MSU's School of Human Resources & Labor Relations, one of the best and most respected human resources and labor relations schools in the country, demonstrates mastery of content and commitment to the field of labor relations.
THE CFMLS DESIGNATION
Individuals who successfully complete the course, take part in discussions and exercises, and pass the required comprehensive examination will be recognized by Michigan State University's School of Human Resources & Labor Relations as a Certified Family Medical Leave Specialist. They are entitled then to use the designation CFMLS after their name.
They should expect a notification with their certificate via email two- to three-weeks after the completion of the program.
Certifications are valid for 2 years. Stay up to date in this ever-changing field through biannual recertification. MSU's recertification program provides recognition and validation for lifelong learning and professional development in which HR professionals regularly engage. Learn how to maintain your certifications.
Thursday September 18 & Friday, September 19, 2025
8:30am - 12:30pm ET
Live Interactive Program via Zoom
REGISTRATION FEE: $1,200
- All of our classes include strategies to maximize learning and ensure an enjoyable, informative learning experience.
MSU employee discount & education assistance available. Please contact Kristi White at whitekr@msu.edu for more information.
INSTRUCTOR

Tony Lemke, is a Human Resources Manager who began at Michigan State University in 2006. Tony holds a bachelor’s degree of science in human resources from MSU and a number of professional certifications. He’s been working with MSU’s workers’ compensation and disability plans since 2008 and has been leading the Leaves of Absence area since 2016.

Kristine Moore, JD, is Assistant General Counsel at Michigan State University, where she practices primarily in the areas of Clery and Violence Against Women Act compliance, disability law, Fair Labor Standards Act and other employment law issues. Kristine is a frequent speaker in the area of employment law. Prior to joining the Office of General Counsel in 2014, Kristine served as Assistant Director for Institutional Equity in MSU’s Office for Inclusion. Prior to that, Kristine was a partner at the Dickinson Wright law firm in Lansing, MI, where she practiced labor and employment law.
REGISTRATION POLICY
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Registration will close 2 business days before the start of the program or earlier if program enrollment reaches capacity of 35.
CANCELLATION POLICY
- Cancellation more than 30 calendar days before program start date: Full refund
- Cancellation 14 – 29 calendar days prior to program start date: 50% cancellation fee, remainder of program fee refunded
- Cancellation 13 or fewer calendar days prior to program start date: No refund
- Cancellation fees may be waived if the participant registers and attends the same program within 12 months. Fees may only be waived once.
- Participants may send a substitute from the same organization for the same program and date by notifying Kristi White via email at least 5 calendar days in advance of program start date.
MSU reserves the right to cancel programs when enrollment criteria are not met or for conditions beyond its control. Any additional costs incurred by the enrollee of canceled programs are the responsibility of the enrollee.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- MSU's Federal ID Number is 38-6005984
- Business casual attire.
- Please, no audio or video recording.
RECERTIFICATION CREDIT HOURS

This program has been approved for 8 continuing education credit hours towards Professional Development Program recertification.
Learn more about Recertification
Questions? We would be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding this or any of our training programs. Please contact Director of Professional Development, Melanie Zaremba at mzaremba@msu.edu.