Top 10 Records Clerk Certifications

Certifications for a records clerk in the job market are important to demonstrate competency and proficiency in the field. Having certifications can show potential employers that a candidate has the skills and knowledge needed to successfully manage records, which is an increasingly important part of many businesses. Certifications also provide recognition for those who have taken the extra steps to learn about records management and are dedicated to staying up-to-date on best practices. Ultimately, having certifications can help set a records clerk apart from other job applicants and make them more attractive to employers.

The purpose of this article is to review the top certifications for Records Clerks and explain how they can help them advance their career.

What are Records Clerk Certifications?

Records clerk certification is a certification offered by professional organizations that verifies an individual has the necessary knowledge and understanding of records management. This certification typically includes training in filing systems, document control, legal records management, and other related topics. It can help individuals demonstrate expertise in their field to employers or clients, as well as help them stay up-to-date on current trends and technologies used for records management. With this certification, individuals can also improve their job prospects and be more competitive when applying for positions in the records management field. Ultimately, obtaining a records clerk certification can be beneficial for those who want to pursue a career in the field or are already working in it and want to stand out from the crowd.

Pro tip: Be sure to research the requirements for records clerk certification in your state or region before beginning the process. Different areas may have their own specific regulations and requirements for certification, so it's important to make sure you are up-to-date on all of the necessary information before starting.

Related: What does a Records Clerk do?

Top 10 Records Clerk Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Records Clerks today.

1. Certified Records Manager (CRM)

Certified Records Manager (CRM) is a professional certification program that is offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM). The CRM certification is designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated an understanding of the principles and practices of records management. It is intended to promote excellence in records management and to provide a standard for evaluating the knowledge, skills, and abilities of records managers.

The CRM certification requires applicants to pass two exams: the Core Exam and one or more Specialty Exams. The Core Exam covers topics such as records management principles, information governance, legal requirements, security, privacy, and technology. The Specialty Exams cover topics such as electronic records management, physical storage and retrieval systems, imaging systems, archiving systems, classification systems, and more.

It typically takes between six months to a year to complete the CRM certification process. To get started with the process applicants must first submit an application form along with supporting documents such as transcripts or other proof of educational background in records management or related fields. Once accepted into the program applicants must then register for and take both the Core Exam and one or more Specialty Exams. Upon passing all exams applicants will be awarded their CRM designation from ICRM.

The cost for taking the CRM certification exams varies depending on which exams are taken but generally ranges from $400 - $600 USD per exam plus any additional fees associated with submitting applications or registering for tests.

2. Certified Professional Records Analyst (CPRA)

Certified Professional Records Analyst (CPRA) is a professional certification program offered by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM). The CPRA certification is designed to recognize and validate an individual’s expertise in the field of records management. It is a comprehensive program that covers all aspects of records management, including storage, retrieval, and preservation of records.

The CPRA certification requires applicants to pass two exams: the Core Exam and the Specialty Exam. The Core Exam covers topics such as records management fundamentals, legal requirements for records management, and best practices for managing electronic records. The Specialty Exam focuses on specific areas such as healthcare records management or government records management.

In order to obtain the CPRA certification, applicants must first meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least three years of professional experience in records management or a related field; completing at least 30 hours of continuing education credits; and passing both exams with a score of 70% or higher.

The cost of obtaining the CPRA certification varies depending on the type of exam taken and whether or not you are an ICRM member. Generally speaking, it costs between $500-$1,000 USD to take both exams and receive your certification.

It typically takes about 6-12 months to complete all requirements for the CPRA certification once you have met all eligibility criteria.

3. Certified Electronic Records Management (CERM)

Certified Electronic Records Management (CERM) is an internationally recognized standard for the management of electronic records. It is designed to ensure that organizations can effectively manage, store, and access their digital records in a secure manner. CERM provides guidelines and best practices for the creation, storage, retrieval, maintenance, and disposal of electronic records.

The certification process typically takes around 6-12 months to complete. The first step is to assess your organization’s current record management system against the CERM standards. This assessment will provide you with an understanding of how well your system meets the requirements set out by CERM. Once you have identified any gaps between your current system and the CERM standards, you can begin implementing changes to bring your system up to standard.

Once all the necessary changes have been made and documented, you can apply for certification from an accredited third-party certifying body. This process typically involves submitting documents such as policies and procedures related to record management as well as providing evidence that all necessary changes have been implemented correctly. Once approved by the certifying body, your organization will receive its official CERM certification.

The cost of getting certified depends on several factors such as size of organization, scope of project, number of personnel involved in implementation etc., but generally it ranges from $10K-$50K USD depending on these factors.

4. Certified Information Professional (CIP)

Certified Information Professional (CIP) is a professional certification that recognizes individuals who have the knowledge and skills to manage information systems, processes, and technologies. The CIP certification is offered by the Institute for Certification of Computing Professionals (ICCP).

To become certified as a CIP, applicants must meet certain eligibility requirements. These include having at least three years of full-time experience in the field of information management or technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants must also pass an exam administered by ICCP.

The exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions divided into four sections: Information Management Principles; Information Technology Principles; Data Management Principles; and Systems Analysis & Design Principles. The exam takes approximately three hours to complete and costs $295 USD.

Once applicants have passed the exam, they will receive their CIP certification. This certification is valid for three years, after which time it must be renewed by taking additional courses or exams as required by ICCP.

5. Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+)

Certified Document Imaging Architect (CDIA+) is a professional certification that validates an individual’s knowledge and experience in the area of document imaging, capture, and management. It is designed to demonstrate that an individual has the skills necessary to design, implement, and manage document imaging systems. The CDIA+ certification is offered by the Association for Information and Image Management (AIIM).

To become certified as a CDIA+, individuals must pass a two-hour exam consisting of 100 multiple-choice questions. The exam covers topics such as document capture technology, project management, system architecture, security, workflow automation, and more.

The cost for taking the CDIA+ exam varies depending on location but typically ranges from $250 to $350 USD. Additionally, AIIM offers study materials such as practice exams and courseware which can be purchased separately.

It typically takes around six months of studying to prepare for the CDIA+ exam. However, this timeframe may vary depending on an individual’s experience level with document imaging systems.

6. Certified Records and Information Governance Professional (CRIGP)

Certified Records and Information Governance Professional (CRIGP) is a certification program offered by ARMA International, the professional association for records and information management. The CRIGP certification is designed to recognize individuals who possess the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage records and information governance programs.

The CRIGP certification requires applicants to have at least three years of experience in the field of records and information management, as well as completion of an approved training program. Applicants must also pass a comprehensive exam that covers topics such as legal compliance, technology, data security, privacy, risk management, and more.

It typically takes between six months to one year to complete the requirements for the CRIGP certification. The cost of the certification depends on where you are taking the training course from; however, it generally ranges from $1,500 - $2,000 USD.

7. Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS)

Certified in Healthcare Privacy and Security (CHPS) is a certification program designed to recognize individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to protect the privacy and security of healthcare information. CHPS is administered by the National Institute for Health Care Management (NIHCM) Foundation, an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality, safety, and value.

The CHPS certification process consists of two components: an online exam and a comprehensive application review. The online exam covers topics such as privacy regulations, security standards, risk management practices, data breach response procedures, and other related topics. The application review assesses the candidate’s experience in protecting patient information and requires references from current or former employers.

It typically takes between 6-12 months to complete the CHPS certification process. During this time, candidates must complete the online exam and submit their application materials for review. Once approved, candidates will receive their official CHPS certificate from NIHCM.

The cost of obtaining a CHPS certification varies depending on whether you are taking the self-study or instructor-led version of the course. The self-study version costs $595 while the instructor-led version costs $995.

8. Microsoft Office Specialist: Word, Excel, Access & PowerPoint

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) is an industry-recognized certification program that demonstrates a person’s proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite of products. The four main components of MOS are Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint.

To become certified in each of these programs, you must pass a series of exams. Each exam typically takes between one and two hours to complete, depending on the level of difficulty. The exams are designed to test your knowledge and skills in using each program.

The cost of the exams varies depending on which country you live in and where you take the exam. Generally speaking, it will cost around $100-$150 USD per exam.

In order to get certified in MOS, you must register with Certiport and then book an appointment to take the exams at a local testing center or online. You can find more information about registering for MOS here: https://www.certiport.com/portal/pages/homepage/default.aspx

9. CompTIA A+ Certification

CompTIA A+ is an industry-recognized certification that validates a technician's foundational knowledge and skills in computer hardware, software, networking, security, and troubleshooting. It is the most popular IT certification in the world and is often used as a prerequisite for employment or advancement in IT roles.

The CompTIA A+ certification consists of two exams: 220-1001 (Core 1) and 220-1002 (Core 2). The exams are designed to test a technician’s knowledge of computer hardware, operating systems, networking, security fundamentals, mobile devices, cloud computing concepts, troubleshooting principles, and other technical topics.

It typically takes about three months to prepare for the CompTIA A+ exams. To get certified you must pass both Core 1 and Core 2 with a score of at least 675 out of 900 on each exam. You can take each exam up to three times per year.

The cost of the CompTIA A+ certification varies depending on where you take the exams. The cost of each exam is $226 USD (or local equivalent), so the total cost for both exams would be $452 USD.

10. Project Management Professional (PMP)

Project Management Professional (PMP) is a certification offered by the Project Management Institute (PMI). It is the most sought-after certification in the project management field and is recognized worldwide. The PMP credential demonstrates that an individual has the knowledge, skills, and experience to lead and direct projects successfully.

In order to obtain the PMP credential, individuals must meet certain educational and professional experience requirements. They must have a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent, at least three years of project management experience, 4500 hours leading and directing projects, 35 hours of formal education in project management topics, and they must pass an exam consisting of 200 multiple-choice questions.

The exam typically takes four hours to complete. It costs $405 for PMI members and $555 for non-members. Once you have passed the exam, you will be awarded your PMP credential which is valid for three years. You can then renew your certification every three years by completing 60 professional development units (PDUs).

Do You Really Need a Records Clerk Certificate?

A Records Clerk Certificate is a valuable asset for anyone looking to work in the fields of legal, medical, or financial records management. It provides a solid foundation of knowledge and skills that can be applied to any type of records keeping job. The certificate is an important part of any professional development plan and can be invaluable in helping you advance your career.

Whether or not you need a Records Clerk Certificate really depends on what kind of job you are seeking and the specific requirements for that position. For many entry-level positions, having a certificate is not necessary but it could still give you an edge over other applicants who don't have one. In more advanced roles, having a certificate may be required or preferred depending on the employer's needs.

In addition to being beneficial for career advancement, having a Records Clerk Certificate can also demonstrate to employers that you understand basic principles of recordkeeping and are capable of managing daily tasks related to the field. With this certification, you will also gain confidence in your ability to handle complex data-related tasks such as filing documents, creating spreadsheets, and understanding legal terminology.

Ultimately, whether or not you need a Records Clerk Certificate depends on what kind of job you are seeking and how much experience and education you already have in the field. If you are looking for an entry-level position where experience is valued more than credentials then it may not be necessary. However, if you want to move up in your career then earning this certification could give you an advantage over other applicants who don’t have one.

Related: Records Clerk Resume Examples

FAQs About Records Clerk Certifications

1. What is a Records Clerk Certification?

Answer: A Records Clerk Certification is a professional credential designed to demonstrate knowledge and experience in the handling of records management processes, such as filing, sorting, indexing, and retrieval.

2. How do I become certified as a Records Clerk?

Answer: To become certified as a Records Clerk you must complete an approved training program and/or pass an examination administered by an accredited organization or institution. Some employers may also require additional certifications or experience in order to be considered for employment.

3. What are the benefits of becoming a certified Records Clerk?

Answer: Becoming a certified Records Clerk can give you an edge over other job candidates when applying for positions in the field of records management. It can also help you stand out from your peers and increase your chances of promotion within the organization. Additionally, it may provide access to additional resources and career opportunities that would otherwise be unavailable without certification.

4. Is there any cost associated with becoming a certified Records Clerk?

Answer: Yes, there may be fees associated with obtaining certification depending on the specific program or institution offering it. Generally speaking, these fees will cover the cost of tuition, materials, testing and other administrative costs related to obtaining certification.

5. How long does it take to become certified as a Records Clerk?

Answer: The amount of time it takes to become certified as a Records Clerk can vary depending on several factors such as the type of certification being pursued and the individual's prior experience and education level in records management processes. Generally speaking, most programs will require between 6-12 months for completion when all requirements are met.