Membership & Reinstatement
Membership
Certified Records Managers (CRMs) are professional records and information managers from a growing number of countries including the United States, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand, Barbados, China, and Australia.
Certified Records Managers are experienced in active and inactive records systems. They specialize in such information technology-related disciplines as transitioning unmanaged to managed information, email management, and social media records management; the archival enterprise; and micrographics. They specialize in international, federal, state and local standards, legislation and regulations. CRMs also have competencies in computer forensics, optical disk technology, and project management. CRMs support their Chief Information Officers, their Chief Technology Officers, their Chief Security Officers, and General Counsel.
CRMs receive the CRM designation by meeting both educational and work experience certification requirements established by the ICRM and by passing the required examinations.
Responsibilities of Certification
To remain a CRM in good standing and thereby be authorized to use the personal designation of “CRM”, a person must conform to requirements set by the ICRM Certification Maintenance Program as outlined below. CRMs are expected to conform to the ICRM Code of Ethics and participate in activities to improve the records management profession. The Board of Regents may revoke the Certification of any CRM it determines is not in good standing.
CRMs receive the ICRM quarterly newsletter, ProfessioNotes, and access to the Institute’s website where they can renew their membership, request Certification Maintenance Points (CMPs) or apply for pre-approved CMPs for eligible activities and events. Regardless of whether the annual membership dues have lapsed, maintenance credits were insufficient at the end of the 5-year cycle, or the member is retired, the Certification Maintenance Program 5-year cycle starts the following January 1st or July 1st depending on the date of the exam.
Each CRM is also entitled to attend the ICRM Business meeting and Reception held at the Annual ARMA International Conference. CRM candidates also receive ProfessioNotes, and may attend both the Annual Meeting and Reception.
The ICRM is a non-profit 501 (c) 6 organization run by an elected, volunteer Board of Regents. CRMs assist in the development of professionalism in Records and Information Management (RIM), and the promotion of the value of certification for records managers. They share their experience and knowledge by participating in ICRM committees and through writing, teaching, and speaking.
The annual membership fee is currently $200.00 (US) for Active CRMs and $15.00 (US) for Retired CRMs.
Retired Members
Members in the retired category are no longer actively involved in professional records management work. They may or may not continue to be employed in another field. Members receive all benefits entitled to retired members. They may use the “CRM-Retired” designation. This membership category is for members who are truly retired from the work force and do not derive any financial gain from working in or teaching Records Management or who may be working in another field and continue to want the CRM designation.
The retired CRM pays annual membership dues of $15. No certification maintenance credits are required for this category.
Reinstatement
If a CRM’s membership has lapsed, reinstatement of the designation to active status can be accomplished by one of the following choices:
1. If annual membership dues have lapsed:
The member must complete a “Reinstatement Application” (ICRM Form 6) and submits it along with the $100.00 ( USD ) fee to the ICRM. Once accepted, the status becomes Reinstatement Candidate and he/she must take and pass Part 6 of the CRM examination within 5 years. The member must register for the exam and pay the exam fee. Upon passing the exam, the member pays the annual dues. The Certification Maintenance Program 5-year cycle starts the following January 1st or July 1st depending on the date of the exam.
2. If certification maintenance credits were insufficient at end of the 5-year cycle:
The member must complete a “Reinstatement Application” (ICRM Form 6) and submits it along with the $100.00 ( USD ) fee to the ICRM. Once accepted, the status becomes Reinstatement Candidate and he/she must take and pass Part 6 of the CRM examination within 5 years. The member must register for the exam and pay the exam fee. Upon passing the exam, the member pays the annual dues. The Certification Maintenance Program 5-year cycle starts the following January 1st or July 1st depending on the date of the exam.
3. If member is retired:
The member must send a letter to the president with notification of intent to become active. If retired for five or more years, the member must pass Part 6 of the CRM examination. The member must register for the exam and pay the exam fee. Upon passing the exam, the member pays the annual dues. The Certification Maintenance Program 5-year cycle starts the following January 1st or July 1st depending on the date of the exam.
Members retired for less than five years still must notify the ICRM president of their intent of becoming active. The member pays the annual active membership dues (if after June 30, dues is pro-rated) with credit for any retired membership dues already paid. The certification maintenance cycle picks up where it left off when the member retired. For example, if the CRM retired with 65 hours and 3 years remaining in his/her CMP cycle, then the new cycle will begin with a total of 65 hours with 3 years remaining. If the CRM retired in the last year of his/her cycle with 18 hours, then the newly Active CRM will have one year to earn 82 hours.
These reinstatement procedures and requirements are established to provide a way for a member to become active again and eliminate the ambiguity of how to go about this process. If you have any questions about membership categories or reinstatement procedures, please contact the ICRM.
