An Update on ICRM Certifications and Specialty Designations: What They Are and How to Pursue Them

1. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
JJJOHN
Update on ICRM Certifications and
Specialty Designations: What They Are and
How to Pursue Them
Sept 28, 2017 at #InfoGov17
Information Governance Conference, Providence RI
mjanicik14@comcast.net

2. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
ICRM MISSION & VISION
Vision Statement
The Institute of Certified Records Managers ® (ICRM) is the certifying
body for Records and Information Management (RIM) professionals,
recognized and valued by employers and RIM practitioners world-wide.
Mission Statement
The primary mission of the ICRM is to develop and administer the
professional certification of Records and Information Managers
including the relevant examinations and certification maintenance
program.

3. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
THE INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
(ICRM)
Confers two certifications: the trademarked Certified Records
Manager® (CRM) designation and the Certified Records Analyst
(CRA) designation.
Authors and maintains the Code of Ethics of Professional Records
Managers
The ICRM has two post-certification Specialty Designations:
Certified Records Manager / Nuclear Records and Information
Management Specialist (CRM/NS) is jointly conferred with Nuclear
Information and Records Management Association (NIRMA)
Certified Records Manager / Federal Specialist (CRM/FED) will open
for applications and testing in 2018.

4. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
HISTORY AND GOVERNANCE
Established in 1966 and began conferring certifications in 1975
Institute is governed by an elected, volunteer Board of Regents who are
all CRMs in good standing, supported by multiple volunteer committees
ICRM Body of Knowledge Outline and examinations are developed and
maintained by volunteer CRMs with the support of strategic partners
A not-for-profit corporation, incorporated in North Carolina
Supported by CapHill Management Services of Albany NY

5. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
BENEFITS OF CRM DESIGNATION
Prominent credential for professional records managers
Demonstrates commitment to continuing education
Develops professional skills and knowledge through studying and
testing process
Prepares for career advancement with commensurate salary benefits
Increases professional recognition and opportunities to enhance career
profile
ICRM membership (professional resources and contacts)

6. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
CERTIFIED RECORDS ANALYST (CRA)
The Certified Records Analyst is the newest certification announced
September 24, 2016
The CRA is designed as a way to recognize those with RIM experience
and commitment – the core knowledge in Records Management
New path to Certified Records Manager (CRM) as experience is gained
Requires passing exam Parts 2, 3, and 4
A CRA in good standing has unlimited time to pass Parts 1, 5 and 6 to
qualify for certification as a CRM

7. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
BENEFITS OF CRA DESIGNATION
Demonstrates commitment to continuing education
Develops professional skills and knowledge through studying and testing
process
Prepares for career advancement with commensurate salary benefits
Increases professional recognition and opportunities to enhance career
profile
ICRM membership (professional resources and contacts)

8. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
ICRM MEMBERSHIP AND CRM/CRA CANDIDATE
DEMOGRAPHICS
ICRM Membership
• 984 Active
• 172 Retired
CRM/CRA Candidates
§ Approximately 1,041
Data as of April 2015

9. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
CERTIFIED CRM/CRA AND CANDIDATES
INDUSTRY REPRESENTATION
§ Government: 25%
§ Consulting: 12%
§ Utilities: 7%
§ Financial Services: 3.3%
§ Energy (Oil/Gas/Coal): 5%
§ Manufacturing: 4%

10. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
1. Apply to qualify to sit for the examinations
2. Applications are reviewed and approved by the ICRM Certification
Standards Committee
3. As a Candidate you are then eligible to write the CRM examinations
4. Must complete all 6 Parts within a 5-year cycle
HOW TO BECOME A CRM

11. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
HOW TO BECOME A CRA
1. Apply to qualify to sit for the examinations
2. Applications are reviewed and approved by the ICRM Certification
Standards Committee
3. As a Candidate you are then eligible to write the CRM examinations
4. Must complete Parts 2, 3 and 4 within a 5-year cycle to become a
CRA.
5. Unlimited time to pass Parts 1, 5 and 6 to advance to becoming a
CRM

12. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application and electronic payment (www.icrm.org)
If you need assistance with your application,
please contact the ICRM at (877) 244-3128 (USA and Canada)

13. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Applicants who properly demonstrate achievement of a four-year
(bachelor’s) degree from an accredited institution of higher education
must also demonstrate one year of professional Records and
Information Management (RIM) experience.
§ Documentation Required: Copy of degree or transcript.
Alternatively, one year of professional Records and Information
Management (RIM) experience can be substituted for each year of
college education.

14. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
WHAT CONSTITUTES PROFESSIONAL RECORDS
MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE?
Conducts studies and surveys
Develops, designs and implements RIM programs, policies and
procedures
Teaches records management
Provides training for records management

15. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR PROFESSIONAL
EXPERIENCE
Practitioner
§ Formal job description or documentation of job duties in a letter
signed by the manager
Teacher or Professor
§ Letter from Department Head and Syllabi of courses taught
Consultant, Contractor or Sales Professional
§ Minimum of two client letters

16. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
ATTAINING THE CRA
Once approved as a Candidate, exam consists of 3 parts
• Parts 2-4 each consisting of 100 questions (80 minutes/exam)
• The general areas covered in the exams include records creation,
storage, use, disposal; information security; information governance,
security
• Must pass each exam with at least 70% score
Exams offered 4 times per year thru PearsonVue

17. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE EXAMINATIONS
Parts 1 - 5
• 100 multiple choice questions
• 80 minutes for each part
• No penalty for guessing
• Can take up to all five in an
exam cycle
• 5-year cycle starts once you are
approved
Part 6 (CRM only)
• Must pass Parts 1 - 5
before you can take Part 6
• Must write answers for two
50 point business cases for
Part 6
• 4 hours to complete
Note: All exams taken through
Pearson VUE testing

18. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
APPLICATION AND EXAMINATION FEES
• Application fee is $100
• Examinations for Parts 1-5 are $100 each
• Part 6 is $150
• Fees are payable in US dollars

19. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
POST-CERTIFICATION SPECIALTY DESIGNATIONS
Certified Records Manager/Federal Specialist (CRM/FED)
Developed for CRM’s whose field of professional practice
involves Records and Information Management (RIM) programs
of the U.S. Government, whether as Federal government
employee, uniformed military, consultant or contractor.
§ Must be CRM in good standing
§ 4 years Federal RIM experience to qualify for the exam
§ $25 Application Fee and $100 Examination Fee
§ 100 Question Exam administered at Pearson Vue
§ Must earn 20 Certification Maintenance Points (CMPs) in Federal
sector topics out of the 100 CMPs required every 5 years
Testing to begin in early 2018

20. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
THE CRM/FED SPECIALTY DESIGNATION
• Built on knowledge necessary to operate and support RIM programs
and the Department or Agency HQ level
• Sections align with the NARA Federal RIM Maturity Model
o Management and Organizational Structure (30 questions)
o Policy, Standards and Governance (30 questions)
o RIM Program Operations (40 questions)
• Encompasses aspects of leading agency-wide RIM policy and
programs
o 44 USC / 36 CFR and NARA standards & guide lines
o Federal requirements for personnel management, information
access, procurement, and budgeting

21. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
POST-CERTIFICATION SPECIALTY DESIGNATIONS
Certified Records Manager / Nuclear Records and Information
Management Specialist (CRM/NS)
§ Must be CRM in good standing
§ 4 years Nuclear field RIM experience to qualify for the exam
§ Current NIRMA membership
§ $25 Application Fee and $100 Examination Fee
§ 100 Question Exam administered at Pearson Vue
§ Must earn 20 Certification Maintenance Points (CMPs) in Nuclear
sector topics out of the 100 CMPs required every 5 years
On-line applications and testing to begin in early 2018

22. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
CRM/CRA CERTIFICATION MAINTENANCE
REQUIREMENTS
Earn, record and submit certification maintenance forms for credit
§ You need 100 points in a 5 year cycle
§ One point = one hour of learning contact
Maintenance credits must be submitted within 6 months of the qualifying
event or activity
Pay Annual Dues of $200.00

23. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
SIGNIFICANT NEW STRATEGIC PARTNERS
A. Academic Institution Graduate Programs: fast track to certification
• Louisiana State University: RIM Graduate Certificate Program
• San Jose State University: Master or Archives and Records Admin
B. AIIM
• Completion of ERM-Master credited as passing Part 5, Technology
• 10% Discount for AIIM training to CRAs/CRMs and candidates
C. Renewed Partners for Conferences and Training
• DGI, NIRMA, NAGARA, MER Conference, InfoGovCon, ARMA

24. INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED RECORDS MANAGERS
QUESTIONS