8 Records Management Certifications To Boost your IG Program and Career

As the records management and IG profession continues to change, broadening your skillset is a way to stay up-to-date and marketable. But with plenty of options out there, how does one know which one to pursue or which certification will help their organization?

For those who have been in the Information Governance (IG) and Record and Information Management (RIM) professions and managed a program or team, there are plenty of options. These certifications cover records management, information governance, security, data privacy, project management, health information management, and archives.

Becoming certified helps keep your team informed on privacy best practices; therefore, reducing risk, reducing costs, and maximizing the value of information.  Further, becoming certified requires continuing education to ensure a records management professional is current with the constant shifts in our field.  Below is a list of organizations and their certifications to help your IG program and help boost your career in management.

Records Management Certifications for RIM and IG Professionals

Certified Record Manager (CRM)

This certification is offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) which was incorporated in 1975.  The Certified Records Manager (CRM) exam consists of five multiple-choice exams and a written exam.  The first exam (Part 1) focuses on Principles of Management, Management Functions, and the Record and Information Management (RIM) Program.

Information Governance Professional (IGP)

The IGP exam is offered by ARMA International and was launched in 2013. It focuses on high-level and strategic practices around information governance.  Domains covered in the IGP are Managing Information Risk and Compliance, Developing an Information Governance Strategic Plan, Developing IG Framework, Establishing the IG Program, Establishing IG Business Integration and Oversight, and Aligning Technology with the IG Framework.

Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)

The CIPM exam is offered by the International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP).  The IAPP later launched its Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM) that helps one create a company vision, structure a privacy team, framework development and implementation, communication, measuring performance, and operating the privacy program life cycle.

Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM)

The CISM exam was founded in 1967 by the Information Systems Audit and Control Association® (ISACA).  The association’s first known certification is the Certified Information System Auditor (CISA®), and it later announced the Certified Information Systems Manager (CISM®) and the Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CEGIT®).  The exam CISM covers information security governance, program management, incident management, and risk management.  The CGEIT certifies that one can assess, design, implement and manage enterprise IT governance systems aligned with business goals.

Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

ISC2 has become well known for its popular Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification.   CISSP’s can design, implement, and manage best-in-class cybersecurity programs and are ideal for security practitioners, managers, and executives.  Recently, there has been a rollout regarding a concentration on management, adding the ISSMP after the CISSP designation for individuals who have a deep understanding of leadership, incident handling, and breach mitigation.

Project Management Professional (PMP®)

The PMP® certification validates one’s competence to perform the role of a project manager. To further your skillset of project management, the PGMP® exam is offered that validates one’s ability to manage multiple and complex projects. Additional exams provided by the PMP include the Program Management Professional (PgMP)®, Portfolio Management Professional (PfMP)®, and Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP)®.

Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA®)

This exam is offered by AHIMA that was founded in 1928 and serves the health information management community.   The Registered Health Information Administrator (RHIA®) certification is well known throughout the health industry.  An individual holding the RHIA® credential is expected to manage people, operational units, prepare budgets, interact with all levels of the organization, expert in managing patient health information, and possess a comprehensive knowledge of ethical, legal, and privacy matters.

Certified Archivist (CA)

The CA exam is provided by the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA) that was founded in 1989. The CA exam is one of the most challenging certifications to obtain because it requires a master’s degree and experience.  A professional with the CA credential is certified to run and manage an archival program for any type of organization.

While this list of organizations and their certifications is not exhaustive or not applicable to specific industries, other certifications can prove complimentary that are offered by vendors for specific application management, analytics, big data, scrum, and Discover.

Have questions about records and information management? Check out our Knowledge Center for more information. 

About the Author

Andrew Ysasi, MS, CRM, FIP, CIPM, CIPP, CISM, PMP, IGP is the Vice President, Advocacy of Vital Records Control and President of IG Guru®, an IG news organization to ensure relevant IG news is shared with the IG community.