Top 10 Document Controller Certifications

Document controllers play a vital role in ensuring that important documents are kept safe and secure. In order to demonstrate their expertise, document controllers may pursue certifications that can help them stand out in the job market. Certifications provide employers with assurance that a document controller has been tested and is qualified to handle sensitive information. Additionally, certifications can be used as a reference point for employers to compare candidates and make an informed decision when hiring. As such, certifications can be beneficial for document controllers looking to advance their careers or increase their earning potential.

This article reviews some of the best certifications for Document Controllers and explains how they can enhance a document controller's career.

What are Document Controller Certifications?

Document Controller Certification is a type of credential that certifies an individual's knowledge and expertise in managing and organizing documents. This certification is offered by various organizations, including the Association of Document Control Specialists (ADCS). By obtaining this certification, individuals demonstrate their understanding of document control principles, procedures, and best practices.

Having a Document Controller Certification can help individuals stand out from other job applicants and can open up new opportunities for advancement within their current organization. It also indicates to potential employers that the individual has the necessary skills to properly manage documents, ensuring that they are organized, secure, and compliant with all relevant regulations. Additionally, having this certification may enable an individual to access more specialized training in document control or other related fields.

Finally, having a Document Controller Certification can provide individuals with a greater sense of confidence in their ability to manage documents effectively. This can translate into better job performance and improved customer satisfaction.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the document controller certification requirements for your state or country. Some certifications may require specific education and/or experience, while others may not. Additionally, check with your employer to see if they offer any type of document controller certification program that can give you an edge in the job market.

Related: What does a Document Controller do?

Top 10 Document Controller Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Document Controllers today.

1. Certified Document Controller Professional (CDCP)

Certified Document Controller Professional (CDCP) is a certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to manage document control processes in a variety of industries. The CDCP certification is designed to help document controllers demonstrate their expertise in the field of document control and provide employers with assurance that they have the necessary qualifications for the job.

The CDCP certification requires individuals to pass an exam administered by the International Association for Document Control Professionals (IADCP). The exam consists of multiple-choice questions covering topics such as document control principles, best practices, and industry standards. It typically takes about two hours to complete the exam.

In order to be eligible for the CDCP certification, applicants must have at least three years of experience in document control or related fields. Additionally, applicants must be able to demonstrate their knowledge of document control principles and best practices through prior work experience or educational background.

The cost of taking the CDCP exam varies depending on where you take it, but generally ranges from $200-$500 USD.

2. Certified Document Control Manager (CDCM)

Certified Document Control Manager (CDCM) is a professional certification program that provides individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage document control activities in their organization. The certification is designed for those who are responsible for managing document control processes, including document creation, review, approval, distribution, storage, and retrieval.

The CDCM certification requires successful completion of a two-day training course and passing an exam. The training covers topics such as document management principles and best practices, quality assurance processes, regulatory requirements, and industry standards. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions related to the topics discussed during the training course.

The cost of the CDCM certification varies depending on the provider offering the course and exam. Generally speaking, it costs around $1,500 to $2,000 USD to complete the certification process.

To get certified as a CDCM you must first register for an approved training course offered by an accredited provider. Once you have completed the training course successfully you can then take the exam which will be administered by either a proctor or online via a secure platform. After passing the exam you will receive your official certification from the provider that administered your training course.

3. Certified Document Control Technician (CDCT)

Certified Document Control Technician (CDCT) is a certification that demonstrates an individual’s expertise in document control. It is designed to help organizations ensure the accuracy, integrity and security of their documents. The certification is offered by the International Association of Document Control Professionals (IADCP).

To become certified, applicants must have at least two years of experience in document control or related fields, such as records management or information technology. Additionally, they must pass a written exam and complete an online course on document control principles and best practices. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes about three hours to complete.

The cost for the CDCT certification is $395 USD for IADCP members and $495 USD for non-members. This fee covers the cost of the exam, online course materials, and access to additional resources such as webinars and study guides.

Once certified, individuals are required to renew their certification every three years by completing continuing education credits or retaking the exam.

4. Certified Document Imaging Professional (CDIP)

Certified Document Imaging Professional (CDIP) is a certification program offered by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM). It is designed to recognize individuals who have achieved a level of expertise in document imaging, scanning, and related technologies. The certification is intended to demonstrate an individual's knowledge of the principles, practices, and technologies used in document imaging.

The CDIP exam consists of 125 multiple-choice questions covering topics such as image capture, storage, retrieval, security, and other related topics. To be eligible for the CDIP certification, applicants must have at least two years of experience working with document imaging or related technologies.

The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $325 USD. Once the exam has been completed successfully, applicants will receive their CDIP certificate within four weeks.

In order to maintain their certification status, CDIPs must complete 20 continuing education credits every two years. These credits can be earned through attending conferences or seminars on document imaging or related topics; participating in online courses; or completing self-study material approved by AIIM.

5. Certified Electronic Records Management Professional (CERMP)

Certified Electronic Records Management Professional (CERMP) is a professional certification program offered by ARMA International, the leading association for records and information management professionals. The CERMP certification recognizes individuals who demonstrate expertise in electronic records management and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully manage an organization’s electronic records.

The CERMP certification requires applicants to pass an exam that covers topics such as legal requirements, risk management, technology standards, and best practices in electronic records management. The exam consists of multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

To be eligible for the CERMP certification, applicants must have a minimum of three years of experience in managing digital records or related technologies. Applicants must also be members of ARMA International at the time of application.

The cost to become certified is $450 USD for members of ARMA International and $650 USD for non-members. This fee includes access to study materials and the exam fee.

6. Certified Records Management Analyst (CRMA)

Certified Records Management Analyst (CRMA) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated knowledge and experience in records management. It is issued by ARMA International, the leading professional association for records and information management professionals.

To become certified, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have at least two years of professional experience in records management or related fields;
• Pass an online exam administered by ARMA International;
• Complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education credits every three years to maintain certification.

The CRMA exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete. The cost of the exam is $250 USD.

7. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional designation earned by individuals who demonstrate knowledge and expertise in the field of records management. It is awarded by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), an international organization dedicated to promoting excellence in records management.

To become a CRM, you must meet certain eligibility requirements and pass an exam administered by ICRM. Eligibility requirements include having a minimum of five years of full-time work experience in the field of records management or a related field, such as information technology, archival studies, or library science. You must also have successfully completed at least two courses related to records management from an accredited college or university.

The CRM exam consists of three parts: Part A covers core concepts in records management; Part B covers specific areas such as legal compliance, electronic records management, and disaster planning; and Part C covers topics such as risk assessment and audit trails. The exam takes approximately four hours to complete and costs $400 USD for members of ICRM and $500 USD for non-members.

Once you have passed the exam, you will receive your official CRM certification from ICRM. This certification is valid for five years after which time you must renew it by taking additional courses or passing another exam.

8. Certified Information Governance Professional (CIGP)

Certified Information Governance Professional (CIGP) is a professional certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in information governance (IG). The CIGP focuses on the development and implementation of strategies, policies, and procedures that ensure the secure, compliant, and cost-effective management of data and information.

The CIGP program is offered by the Information Governance Initiative (IGI), an organization dedicated to advancing IG education and practice. To obtain the CIGP certification, candidates must complete a two-day training course and pass an exam. The training course covers topics such as IG principles and best practices; data security; privacy; compliance; records management; analytics; digital transformation; enterprise architecture; change management; risk assessment; legal considerations; and more.

The CIGP certification process typically takes 2-3 months to complete. Candidates must register for the training course at least four weeks prior to its start date. After completing the training course, they must then pass an online exam within six weeks of completing the course.

The cost of obtaining the CIGP certification varies depending on factors such as location, provider, and duration of the training course. Generally speaking, it can range from $1,500-$2,500 USD for both the training course and exam fees combined.

9. Certified Quality Management System Auditor (CQMSA)

A Certified Quality Management System Auditor (CQMSA) is a professional who has been certified to audit quality management systems. The certification is granted by an accredited certification body, such as the International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA).

The CQMSA certification requires that the auditor has knowledge and experience in auditing quality management systems. The auditor must also demonstrate their ability to conduct audits according to the ISO 19011 standard.

In order to become a CQMSA, an individual must first complete a course in quality management system auditing. This course typically takes around three days and covers topics such as understanding the requirements of ISO 9001, conducting audits, and reporting on audit findings. After completing the course, the individual must then pass an exam administered by IRCA in order to receive their certificate.

The cost of becoming a CQMSA varies depending on the provider and can range from around $1,000 - $2,000 USD for training courses and exams.

10. Certified Quality System Specialist (CQSS)

Certified Quality System Specialist (CQSS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated expertise in quality system management. The CQSS certification is offered by the American Society for Quality (ASQ).

The CQSS certification requires candidates to pass an exam that covers topics such as quality systems, auditing, and process improvement. Candidates must also have at least three years of experience in quality system management or related field.

It typically takes about six months to prepare for the CQSS exam. Preparation may include taking courses or self-study through books and online resources.

To get the CQSS certification, candidates must register with ASQ and pay an application fee of $200. After registering, they can take the exam at any one of ASQ's approved testing centers around the world. The cost of the exam itself is $400.

Once a candidate has successfully passed the exam, they will receive their official CQSS certificate from ASQ. This certificate is valid for three years and must be renewed every three years in order to maintain active status as a Certified Quality System Specialist.

Do You Really Need a Document Controller Certificate?

Whether or not an individual needs a document controller certificate depends on the individual's career goals and the specific requirements of the job they are seeking. Document controllers are responsible for managing and organizing documents related to a company's operations, including legal documents, financial records, and other important information. In some cases, employers may require that applicants have a certificate in order to be considered for the position.

However, many document controllers do not need a certificate in order to perform their job duties. A strong knowledge of software programs such as Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), Adobe Acrobat Pro DC, and cloud-based storage systems is typically enough to manage documents effectively. Additionally, having strong organizational skills and attention to detail can also make up for any lack of formal training or certification.

For those who wish to pursue further education in document control management, there are several courses available online and at universities that offer certificates upon completion. These courses provide individuals with the necessary skills for managing large volumes of data efficiently and securely. This type of education can be beneficial for those looking to move into higher-level positions within their current organization or seeking out new opportunities elsewhere.

In conclusion, whether an individual needs a document controller certificate depends on their personal career goals and the specific requirements of the job they are applying for. While it may be beneficial in some cases, having strong computer skills and organizational abilities can often be enough to successfully manage documents without any formal training or certification.

Related: Document Controller Resume Examples

FAQs About Document Controller Certifications

Q1: What is a Document Controller Certification?

A1: A Document Controller Certification is a professional certification that demonstrates a person’s knowledge and expertise in the field of document control. It verifies that an individual has the necessary skills to properly manage documents, including creating, editing, filing, sharing and archiving.

Q2: What are the benefits of getting certified as a Document Controller?

A2: Benefits of getting certified as a Document Controller include increased job opportunities, recognition from employers and peers, improved credibility and visibility in the industry, higher salaries and potential for career advancement.

Q3: How do I become certified as a Document Controller?

A3: To become certified as a Document Controller you must meet certain requirements such as completing specific courses related to document control or obtaining relevant experience. You may also need to pass an exam or take part in an assessment process.

Q4: What topics are covered in the certification exam?

A4: Topics covered in the certification exam typically include understanding document management systems, managing documents within an organization, controlling access to documents, storing and archiving documents securely and efficiently.

Q5: How long does it take to get certified as a Document Controller?

A5: The amount of time it takes to get certified as a Document Controller varies depending on your level of experience and knowledge in the field. Generally speaking, it can take anywhere from several months up to two years or more depending on your commitment level and dedication to studying.