Exciting Changes Ahead for ICRM Certification

Sat, 09/12/2026 - 13:59

We are excited to announce an important step forward in the evolution of ICRM certification.

As the Records and Information Management (RIM) profession continues to evolve, the ICRM is modernizing its certification program to better reflect today's professional practices, employer expectations, and career paths. These changes are designed to improve the candidate experience while strengthening the relevance, credibility, and professional value of ICRM credentials.

What is changing

As part of this modernization effort, ICRM will transition to a streamlined certification structure consisting of a Foundations Exam and a Capstone Assessment.

•    Foundations Exam – replaces current Parts 2, 3, and 4
•    Capstone Assessment – incorporates content currently assessed in Parts 1 and 6.
•    Part 5 (Technology) will no longer be offered as a separate examination component. Some technology-related competencies currently assessed in Part 5 will be integrated throughout both the Foundations Exam and Capstone Assessment, reflecting the essential role technology plays across modern records and information management practice.

Together, the updated assessments will ensure certification continues to evaluate competencies across all domains of contemporary RIM practice. Our goal is to align certification with the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment employers expect from today's records and information management professionals.

Timeline and next steps

This Fall, ICRM will conduct beta testing and validation activities to ensure the updated assessments meet our standards for quality, fairness, and rigor. We anticipate launching the new examination structure in early 2027. Additional information regarding beta testing, candidate transition planning, and impacts to academic partnerships will be shared in the coming weeks to ensure stakeholders have sufficient time to prepare for the upcoming changes.

An FAQ page addressing common questions will also be launched on the ICRM website shortly. In the meantime, questions may be directed to examconsolidation@icrm.org.

Why this matters

While the exam structure is evolving, our commitment to excellence is not. We are confident these enhancements will strengthen the future of ICRM certification and ensure the CRA and CRM credentials remain relevant, respected, and valued by professionals and employers alike.

Sincerely,
ICRM Board of Regents

Dear Members:

The ICRM is pleased to announce the following candidates for the 2026 ICRM Elections:

President-Elect/Treasurer (2027-2029)

• Brent Gatewood, CRM, MBA

Regent, Application and Exam Preparation (2027-2028) 

• Kimberly Johnson, CRM 

Regent, Exam Development (2027-2028)

• Sheri Nystedt, CRM

Regent, Marketing and Communications (2027-2028)

• Tyrene Bada, CRM

Elections will be open July 27 - August 14. Members in good standing will receive their ballot information on July 27.

Thank you,
Tim O'Toole, CRM
Chair, ICRM Board of Regents

ICRM 2026-2027 Board of Directors Nominations Now Open!

Active CRMs in good standing are invited to apply for candidacy to a Board of Regents position. CRAs are not eligible to serve on the Board of Regents. For more information on terms and time commitment, please click here.

President-Elect/Treasurer (2027-2029)

• The President-Elect/Treasurer is a member of the Executive Committee (EC). Serves as custodian of funds, securities, and other financial assets. They are responsible for presenting and updating the Strategic Plan to the Board and ensuring and tracking the tasks' completion based on dates assigned to Regents. Acts for the President in their absence, and assumes the office of President, if the President is unable to fulfill the duties of the office. The President-Elect/Treasurer will serve a three-year term: one year as President-Elect/Treasurer, one year as President, and one year as Chair of the Board. 
• The Executive Committee (EC) oversees RIM Partnerships, Academic Partnerships, and Specialty Designations. Each EC Member will oversee one partnership throughout all three years of their service. EC Members may choose to select Partnership Representatives to assist in partner management.

Regent, Exam Development (2027-2028) 

• Reports to the President. The Regent, Exam Development (RED) is responsible for the development and content of all examinations. The RED leads the Exam Development Committee (EDC) to review, update, and revise the exam databank and outlines. The RED organizes the annual EDC meeting, administrates the exam question bank, and confirms exam updates. The RED prepares exams for delivery in coordination with the Regent for Exam Administration and Member Relations.  The RED and EDC provide practice questions for the Regent for Application and Exam Preparation. It is required that the Regent for Exam Development be filled by a candidate with recent Exam Development Committee experience unless no candidate with that experience is available.  
   

Regent, Application and Exam Preparation (2027-2028)

• Reports to the President. The Regent, Application and Exam Preparation (RAEP) is responsible for processing eligible applicants as candidates to take the exam.  The RAEP oversees the Mentoring Committee, and the Exam Preparation process, including in coordination with the ICRM Admin setting schedule, content, and availability of exam preparation sessions (virtual, in-person, and sales to organizations offering these sessions). 

Regent, Marketing and Communications (2027-2028)

• Reports to the President.  Regent, Marketing and Communications (RMC), has oversight of the Marketing Committee, Webmaster, and subcommittees that may be formed to support marketing and communications. The Regent is responsible for guiding initiatives and activities through completion, reporting progress and issues to the Board, overseeing committee budgets (including, when necessary, obtaining board approval), and providing support as needed; Working closely with  Partnerships (managed by EC) to assist with communications, advertisements, and outreach projects; Serving as the primary assistant to the ICRM Administrator and President during in-person conferences, vendor exhibits, and ICRM Board Meetings. Ensures there is a Webmaster in place and additional Marketing Committee leads as needed.
   

To Self-nominate:

1. Log in to your ICRM account and complete the online Member Application for Election to the Board of Regents here: https://www.icrm.org/board-application (log-in required).
2. Questions may be directed to Tim O'Toole, CRM, IGP Chair of the ICRM Board of Regents at admin@icrm.org. 
3. The ICRM Elections Committee will confirm eligibility for all nominees.

ICRM 2026 Nominations and Election Timeline

June 19 – Announcement of open Board of Regent positions emailed to members and posted to the ICRM website.

July 17 – Nomination period closes and all applicant materials must be received by the ICRM Chair by this date. A confirmation email will be sent to applicants; however, it is the member’s responsibility to confirm that their materials have been received.

July 22 – Nominees will be notified of candidacy. Photos and answers will be posted to the ICRM website for member review through the close of the voting period. 

July 27 – Election ballots are distributed electronically to the membership. 

August 14 – Election closes.

Election results will be announced by August 20, 2026

ICRM Announces Affiliate Partnership with NAGARA

The Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) is pleased to announce a new Affiliate Partnership with the National Association of Government Archives and Records Administrators (NAGARA), a leading organization dedicated to supporting government archives and records professionals across the United States.

This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting the professional development of records and information management professionals, expanding access to continuing education opportunities, and promoting collaboration across the archives and records and information management (RIM) community.

"We are excited to partner with NAGARA and support our shared goals of professional development and engagement within the RIM Community," said Wendy McLain, ICRM President. "Together, we can foster stronger connections across the archives and records management profession while encouraging continued learning and certification."

NAGARA's extensive network of archives and records professionals in the local, state, and U.S. federal sector complements ICRM's global community of certified Records and Information Management professionals. Through this affiliation, both organizations look forward to exploring opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and member engagement.

Member Benefits
Through this partnership, ICRM members are eligible for a 50% discount on first-year individual NAGARA Membership Dues. NAGARA members are eligible for a 50% discount on the CRA-CRM Testing Application. Interested members should contact their respective membership organization for discount codes.

The partnership will offer expanded cross-promotion of events and programs, making it easier for members to find continuing education opportunities to support their growth as RIM professionals.

ICRM welcomes NAGARA as an affiliate partner and looks forward to working together to support the future of the archives and records and information management profession.

For more information or instructions on how to obtain a discount code, please reach out to the ICRM Office at admin@icrm.org.

Calling all RIM Professionals,

Registration is now open for the RIM Careers Virtual Mixer: Thursday, July 16, from 2:00 - 3:00 pm (CDT) / 3:00 - 4:00 pm (EDT)

The subject of our July Virtual Mixer will be RIM Careers for those just getting started in RIM and for those looking for a career "refresh" in RIM. Our speaker will be Beth Hynes, CRM, IGP, who has provided career advice for our CRA/CRM members, and currently serves as an Enterprise Records Management Consultant.

Members who attend may submit the event for one CMP.

Register Now

Thank you,
Virtual Mixer Team
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