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PJM Exam Recaps

By: Giovanni Zora
July 21st, 2026

CM-Agent vs. CM-Advisor
The two definitions of a CM-Agent and a CM-Advisor are almost identical. Both provide constructability and cost management services, and neither constructs the project. The only meaningful difference is:

  • CM-Agent: Can act on behalf of the owner.
  • CM-Advisor: Cannot act on behalf of the owner.

In the Black Spectacles question, the construction manager not only advises during design but also coordinates construction trades. Coordinating trades means acting on the owner’s behalf, which matches a CM-Agent, not a CM-Advisor.

The fixed fee, lack of cost risk, and owner receiving savings or overruns do not distinguish the two because those details are not included in the provided definitions.