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4 certifications for information governance professionals
Information governance is a broad discipline with many different certifications. The most common include ARMA's IGP, AIIM's CIP and IAPP's CIPM.
Many information governance professionals begin their careers in other fields, such as legal, technology, and library science, but at some point become responsible for governing information.
New information governance professionals quickly learn that IG involves more than compliance and security. Therefore, they often require proper training and certifications. Many IG certifications cover a broad range of topics, whereas others dive deep into critical subdomains, such as records management and data privacy.
Common IG certifications include the following:
- Information Governance Professional (IGP).
- Certified Information Professional (CIP).
- Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM).
- Certified Records Manager (CRM).
Whether someone wants to validate existing knowledge or quantify what they know, an IG certification can benefit anyone in the space.
What is an information governance certification?
IG certifications assess people's IG expertise and identify any gaps in their knowledge. To earn a certification, applicants must pass an exam, or set of exams, depending on the course. Organizations that issue IG certifications offer training materials and practice tests -- typically for a fee -- that people can use to prepare for the exams.
As with any mature profession, IG has several certifications available. Many focus on the entire IG domain, while others zoom in on key subdomains that are foundational to day-to-day IG operations. IG professionals should assess their goals so they can choose the right certification for their needs and career levels.
The top information governance certifications
Widely recognized IG and records management associations constructed the following certifications to help IG professionals build and quantify their expertise. People can take the exams online through proctored testing services, and each certification requires continued education to maintain. However, IG professionals that stay up to date with their ongoing education requirements don't have to retake their initial certification exam.
1. Information Governance Professional
The Association of Records Managers and Administrators (ARMA) offers the IGP certification, which covers everything a person needs to know to launch and run an IG program. While broad, it can help aspiring or current strategic IG leaders advance their knowledge. Preparation for this exam can also introduce people to specialized learning areas that fall under the broader IG domain.
The IGP is a single test of 140 multiple-choice questions and costs $599.
2. Certified Information Professional
The Association for Intelligent Information Management (AIIM) offers the CIP certification, which covers the broad information management domain and all its subdomains, such as records management and document management.
This certification focuses on a more practical, day-to-day approach to managing information than IGP and can help people understand and govern the information in their organization.
The CIP is a single test of 100 multiple-choice questions and costs $450.
3. Certified Information Privacy Manager
The International Association of Privacy Professionals (IAPP) offers the CIPM certification, which covers how to create and manage a privacy program. Privacy plays an important role in any IG program, and, in many countries, is a key driver of IG efforts.
The CIPM is a single test of 90 questions and costs $550.
4. Certified Records Manager
The Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) offers the most rigorous of the certifications. While records management only makes up a portion of IG, it plays a central role, especially in regulated industries.
Organizations in heavily regulated industries can consider the CRM certification for workers that manage information and records. Also, people early in their careers that work with records might want to earn this certification because it offers a comprehensive foundation of record management knowledge.
The first part of the CRM consists of five exams that cost $100 each. People that pass those exams must then take a written business case component for $150. The total cost is $650.
| Certification | Focus | Exam details | Offering organization | Cost |
| Information Governance Professional | Broad IG focus; how to launch and run IG programs | 140 multiple-choice questions | ARMA | $599 |
| Certified Information Professional | Practical information management and intersecting subdomains | 100 multiple-choice questions | AIIM | $450 |
| Certified Information Privacy Manager | How to create and manage privacy programs | 90 multiple-choice questions | IAPP | $550 |
| Certified Records Manager | Records management and compliance | Five multiple-choice exams, each with 100 questions; a written business case component | ICRM | $650 |
Preparing for a certification
Some certifications make more sense than others based on a person's role and goals. For instance, the CRM might help a records manager more than a strategic IG leader. Yet, all serve a purpose and IG professionals that study for any of them will likely learn something of value.
The associations that provide these certifications offer many resources and training programs to help people prepare. The larger associations, such as AIIM and IAPP, also have conferences and online communities full of people who can guide IG professionals to the most relevant preparation material.
IG professionals can start with online resources to understand the body of knowledge for each exam and determine if a certification is right for them. If any of the associations have local chapter meetings or other events, IG professionals can attend and talk to members about all IG certifications in addition to those the association offers. These meetings can offer practical guidance.
The most important step is to get started. The sooner people study for an IG certification, the sooner they can implement what they learn.
Laurence Hart is director of consulting services at CGI Federal and has more than 20 years of IT experience.
