About the CRM/Certified Information Governance Officer (CRM/CIGO)

The CRM/CIGO post certification specialty designation is a reseller agreement executed with Robert Smallwood in promotion of the new Certified Information Governance Officer (CIGO) certification program.  CIGO is designed to reflect that an individual who earns the CIGO designation under the certification program has demonstrated their knowledge of Information Governance. The role is defined as follows: Information Governance-related roles are those which pertain to relationships and activities between and among management of an entity, whether public or private for-profit or not-for profit, its IG Steering Committee, and stakeholders including business units, IT, Legal Records Management, and Privacy and Security, and more.

Certified Records Managers (CRMs) meet the same experience and educational requirements established by Robert Smallwood for the CIGO. Through the organizations established business relationship, CRMs request CRM/CIGO eligibility through the ICRM, and then schedule the training and exam through the CIGO website. After passing the exam, the ICRM sends notification of certification and status as a CRM/CIGO. This program follows ICRM standards for dues and certification maintenance requirements with 20 additional CMPs required to maintain the CIGO.

Press Release: Please find a link to our Press Release here: https://www.icrm.org/press-releases

Eligibility Application

Interested CRMs should fill out the eligibility application here: https://www.icrm.org/crm-cigo. Please note that you must be logged into your ICRM profile in order to access the application. By completing the application, you will be able to claim your CRM/CIGO eligibility, receive your discount code, and be on your way to obtaining the CRM/CIGO.

CRM/CIGO FAQ

What is the partnership entered between the ICRM and CIGO?

The ICRM and CIGO (pronounced “SEE-go”) (Certified Information Governance Officers Association) entered an agreement whereby ICRM and CIGO will jointly offer the CIGO information governance (IG) credential for CRMs.

Why did ICRM enter this agreement?

So that ICRM can offer our members additional education and certification that will advance their credentials while remaining under the “CRM” umbrella. This will offer additional education and help CRMs with their careers and advancement in the industry. The benefit is this is CIGO’s examination and CIGO will do the training and administer the test to candidates.

Who is eligible to take the examination?

CRMs are eligible, CRAs are not eligible. CRMs already meet the qualifications to take the examination, so they do not have to go through the confirmation process again.

What is included in the certification?

The new CRM/CIGO certification includes a training and testing program that is 100% online. The training is a master class in IG, followed by a week of study and the CIGO examination. CIGO will administer the training and examination for the ICRM.

What will the new ICRM certification be named?

The ICRM CIGO certification will be designation CRM/CIGO. It will follow ICRM rules and procedures.

What are the benefits of earning the CIGO certification through ICRM?

Re-certification and CIGO membership will not be required. ICRM yearly membership fees are not increased due to the CRM/CIGO certification. Your CRM/CIGO certification will be under the umbrella of ICRM.

Are there additional CMPs I need to earn to maintain the CRM/CIGO certification?

An additional 20 CMPs in the IG discipline will be required per five-year cycle and will be prorated on an annual basis.

How does proration work?

Proration works like this: There would be a proration of the 20 CMPs depending on where the CRM is in their 5-year cycle when they take the test. It would be 4 CMPs required for each year. For instance, if they take the exam during the first year of their 5-year cycle, they would need to get 20 CMPs related to IG. If they take the exam in the second year of their 5-year cycle, they would need to get 16 CMPs related to IG and so on. If they take the exam at the end of the 5-year cycle they need 20 for the following year.

When do I have to apply to apply to take the examination?

CRMs may enroll in the program through the September 2023 Training & Exam for the 25% discount and pay no application fee or CIGO membership fee.

How do I get the 25% discount?

When a CRM applies for the CRM/CIGO, a discount code will be provided. Then registration for the training and examination will occur on the CIGOA.org website. The discount code for the training and examination will be applied at checkout. The discount applies to training and testing packages, CIGOPro™ and CIGOMaxx™. The discount is not applicable to the books the testing only package, or the CIGOFlexx™.