11 Records Management Certifications to Take in 2025
Records management certifications are for information management and compliance professionals who want to strengthen their skills, boost their career opportunities, and validate their expertise in organizing and protecting records throughout their lifecycle.
I've summarized the best records management certifications with notes about who and what each one is best for so you can find the right one for the next step in your career.
Best Records Management Certifications Shortlist
- Records & Information Management - Best for comprehensive training in records management
- Records Management Certificate - Best for practical skills in records management
- Online Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management - Best for flexible online learning
- Records & Information Management Certificate (Online) - Best for online certification in information management
- Certified Records Manager - Best for professional certification in records management
- Certificate in Records Management - Best for foundational knowledge in records management
- Practitioner Certificate in Records Management - Best for practitioner-level skills in records management
- IRM Practitioner Certificate - Best for in-depth records management expertise
- Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management - Best for graduate-level education in records management
- Records Management - Best for professional certification in records management
- GRMP Certificate - Best for government records management professionals
Overview of the Best Records Management Certification
Below are my detailed summaries of the best records management certifications that made it onto my shortlist.
1. Records & Information Management - Best for comprehensive training in records management
The Records & Information Management certification at the University of Toronto's School of Continuing Studies emphasizes the importance of maintaining accurate records, ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and implementing best practices for information governance. It explores the risk management related to information handling, technology in records management, and the ethical considerations in information privacy and access.
Issued by: University of Toronto
Focus:
- Data creation
- Data storage
- Data retrieval
- Privacy compliance
- Governance standards
Prerequisites:
- Education: No formal education required
- Other Certifications Required: Not required
Renewability: No, it does not expire
Price: Starts at $559 per course
Who It’s For: Professionals to effectively manage records and information, ensuring compliance with current standards and enhancing their career prospects in information management.
2. Records Management Certificate - Best for practical skills in records management
The Records Management Certificate program at the University of the Fraser Valley (UFV) provides learners with essential skills for handling records in diverse environments such as law firms and healthcare settings. This program emphasizes industry standards for organization, security, and electronic and paper records archiving.
Issued by: University of the Fraser Valley
Focus:
- Organizing records
- Securing data
- Archiving practices
- Managing electronic and paper records
Prerequisites:
- Education: B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent
- Work Experience: Not required
- Exam: Exam and practicum required
- Other Certifications Required: None
- Others:
- At least 19 years of age before the first day of classes
- Must meet the Entry-level English language proficiency requirement
Renewability: No, it does not expire
Price: Approximately $3800
Who It’s For: For individuals seeking to gain practical skills in records management and aiming for roles in law firms, healthcare facilities, and other organizational settings.
3. Online Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management - Best for flexible online learning
The Online Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management (RIM) equips information management professionals with skills to manage records across industries like healthcare, finance, education, and government. It includes three core courses and electives, covering records management principles, information governance, and organizational knowledge strategies. Graduates may pursue credentials such as certified records analyst.
Issued by: LSU Online
Focus:
- Key concepts in records and information management
- Developing strategies for addressing current issues in the field
- Evaluating management programs
Prerequisites:
- Education: Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university or the equivalent from a foreign institution with a GPA of at least 3.0
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
- Others:
- Resume
- At least a 1,000-word statement of purpose
Renewability: No, it does not expire.
Price: $485 per credit hour, totaling approximately $7,275
Who It’s For: For individuals seeking to enhance their expertise and credentials in records management through a flexible online format, preparing them for various professional roles in the industry.
4. Records & Information Management Certificate (Online) - Best for online certification in information management
The Records & Information Management degree program (Online) provides practical training in records management, helping learners adapt to changing regulations, technologies, and organizational needs. The curriculum covers active records management, archival theory, electronic documents, imaging, micrographic technology, information security, information technology, and project management.
Issued by: Fleming College
Focus:
- Records and information management fundamentals
- Active records management
- Document management technology
- Researching and reporting
- Office technology and procedures
- Management information systems
- Microsoft Excel core
- Microsoft Access core
Prerequisites:
- Work Experience: Not required
- Other Certifications Required: None
- Others:
- Grade 12 English or equivalent
- Basic computer and Internet skills
Renewability: No, it does not expire
Price: $366.94 per course required
Who It’s For: For individuals looking to advance their careers in records management, aiming to become proficient in managing records-related projects and staying updated with industry standards.
5. Certified Records Manager - Best for professional certification in records management
The Certified Records Manager enhances your proficiency in managing the complete lifecycle of records using Laserfiche’s platform. The program covers several key topics, including understanding records management in Laserfiche, retention schedule implementation, record series hierarchy creation, disposition processing, and transparent records management for compliance.
Issued by: Laserfiche
Focus:
- Managing records lifecycle
- Compliance with retention policies
- Utilization of Laserfiche platforms (Cloud, 11, and 10)
Prerequisites:
- Other Certifications Required: None
Price: $640
Who It’s For: For records managers and department heads, as it demonstrates their ability to ensure compliance and effectively manage records within an organization using Laserfiche solutions.
6. Certificate in Records Management - Best for foundational knowledge in records management
The Certificate in Records Management provides a structured learning path for learners to gain a solid foundation, knowledge, and skills to manage records and ensure proper classification, storage, preservation, and retention. The curriculum includes key topics like fundamentals of electronic records management, archives management, legal aspects, and fundamental research skills.
Issued by: College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago (COSTAATT)
Focus:
- Classification of records
- Storage techniques
- Preservation methods
- Retention policies
- Disposal of records
Prerequisites:
- Education: Five CSEC (CXC)/GCE O’Level subjects, including English A and Mathematics
- Work Experience: At least 3 years of experience in records management
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire
Price:
- Citizens: $300 per credit plus other fees
- Caricom: $400 per credit plus other fees
- International: $750 per credit plus other fees
Who It’s For: For individuals seeking to establish a foundational understanding of records management, enhancing their career prospects in administrative and records management roles.
7. Practitioner Certificate in Records Management - Best for practitioner-level skills in records management
The Practioner Certificate in Records Management by PDP Training is a practical qualification demonstrating a solid knowledge of, and competence in, records management practices. It offers classroom and virtual-live sessions that discuss the essential concepts and principles of records management, designing and implementing a program, and sustaining it.
Issued by: PDP
Focus:
- Records management
- Information governance
- Professional development in records management
Prerequisites:
- Exam: Required
- Other Certifications Required: None
Price:
- Classroom option: £1,895 plus VAT
- Virtual-LIVE option: £1,795 plus VAT
Who It’s For: For professionals in records management and information governance, aiming to gain practitioner-level skills and recognition in the field.
8. IRM Practitioner Certificate - Best for in-depth records management expertise
The Information & Records Management (IRM) Practioner Certificate program emphasizes compliance with legal requirements, risk mitigation, and enhancing decision-making processes. The curriculum is structured to discuss the basics and principles of records management, capture, and storage, process mapping, destroying and preserving records, and implementing a records management program. It offers online and classroom sessions.
Issued by: Act Now Training
Focus:
- Records lifecycle management
- Legal frameworks in records management
- Data auditing techniques
- Retention schedules
- Digital preservation strategies
- Risk management in records management
Prerequisites:
- Work Experience: Relevant experience in records management is beneficial
- Other Certifications Required: None
Price:
- Online session: £2,199 plus VAT
- Classroom session: £2,399 plus VAT
Who It’s For: For records management professionals seeking to deepen their expertise and effectively manage information and records within their organizations.
9. Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management - Best for graduate-level education in records management
The Graduate Certificate in Records and Information Management (RIM) is focused on developing expertise in organizing, maintaining, and protecting records and information in diverse organizational settings. The program aligns with professional competencies recognized by leading records and information management associations, ensuring graduates meet industry standards. It covers foundational knowledge, digital preservation, and information governance, relevant technologies in RIM, risk management and security, and archival principles.
Issued by: Wayne State University
Focus:
- Records management
- Information management systems
- Archiving and preservation
- Compliance and legal aspects
- Technology in information management
Prerequisites:
- Education: Undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a GPA of 2.75
- Other Certifications Required: None
- Others:
- Must meet MLIS technology requirements
Renewability: No, it does not expire
Who It’s For: For professionals seeking to advance their expertise in managing records and information, enhancing their career opportunities in healthcare, government, and IT management sectors.
10. Records Management - Best for professional certification in records management
The Records Management certification offered by University College Dublin (UCD) provides theoretical knowledge and practical skills crucial for effective records management. The curriculum explores the interplay between organizational culture, technology, and recordkeeping principles, in alignment with national and international standards. Additionally, it emphasizes international best practices, addresses the balance between access and privacy considerations, and prepares learners to adapt to technological advancements.
Issued by: University College Dublin (UCD)
Focus:
- Organizational culture and its impact on records management
- Technology in records management
- Recordkeeping principles
- Compliance with national and international standards
Prerequisites:
- Work Experience: Currently employed in a relevant record-keeping role
- Exam: No exams, but submission of assignments and practical portfolio is required
- Other Certifications Required: None
Renewability: No, it does not expire
Price:
- EU students: €235.2 per credit
- Non-EU students: €376.7 per credit
Who It’s For: For professionals looking to enhance their expertise in records management, ensuring compliance and efficiency in handling organizational records.
11. GRMP Certificate - Best for government records management professionals
The Records Management Professional (GRMP) Certificate Program aims to increase understanding of public records and information management, develop necessary skills for effective records administration, establish and maintain management standards, and elevate the professionalism of records managers within Georgia state. It covers laws and regulations, disaster planning and preparedness, records and management program development and implementation, and electronic records management.
Issued by: Georgia Records Association (GRA)
Focus:
- Compliance with laws
- Disaster planning
- Records management development and implementation
- Electronic records management
- Professional development
Prerequisites:
- Work Experience: Must be a state or local government employee in Georgia with records management responsibilities
- Other Certifications Required: None
- Others:
- Must be a member in good standing with GRA
Who It’s For: For government records management professionals in Georgia, allowing them to enhance their skills and stay updated on current best practices in records management.
FAQs about Records Management Certifications
What are the benefits of obtaining a records management certification?
Obtaining a records management certification can enhance your career prospects by demonstrating expertise in managing and organizing records. It often leads to increased job opportunities, higher salaries, and recognition within the industry.
Which organizations offer records management certifications?
Several organizations offer records management certifications, including the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM), ARMA International, and AIIM. These organizations provide various levels of certification to cater to different professional needs and expertise.
How long does it take to earn a records management certification?
The time it takes to earn a records management certification varies depending on the specific certification and the individual's prior experience and study commitment. Generally, it can take a few months to a year to complete the necessary coursework and pass the required exams.
What topics are covered in records management certification programs?
Records management certification programs typically cover records lifecycle management, information governance, compliance and legal requirements, digital records management, and preservation strategies. These programs aim to equip professionals with the necessary skills to manage records effectively in various environments.
If your interested is more in line with managing the information itself, as opposed to the digital records, you may want to consider taking a knowledge management certification course as well.
Is continuing education required to maintain records management certification?
Yes, most records management certifications require continuing education to maintain the credential. This often involves earning a certain number of continuing education credits through professional development activities, courses, or seminars to ensure that certified professionals stay updated with the latest industry practices and standards.
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