ERM & ECM Frequently Asked Questions


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Frequently Asked Questions

How well known are the designations?

What is the difference between the Practitioner and Specialist Programs?

Are there any prerequisites to taking the ERM or ECM courses?

Do I first have to take the Practitioner course before attending the Specialist and Master course?

What is the difference between the ECM and ERM programs?

Which should I take first: the ERM or the ECM certificate program?

I have an erm^m or ecm^m, but want to get the other Master certificate.

Do I have to attend all 4 days of the other course to get the Master certificate?

Is it only possible to become a Master by attending a 4-day training course?

How are the exams administered?

How long do I have to take to finish the online modules and exam?

What if I can’t finish the modules or exam by the end of the six months due to family emergency or illness?

How long is the certificate valid?

Do I learn the same content in an online and onsite training course?

How long does it take to get case study results back?

I am having trouble paying with my credit card.

How well known are the designations?
These are new industry standards for professionalism and knowledge supported by AIIM and the members of the AIIM Education Advisory Groups. AIIM is promoting the designations to all its 60,000 members in newsletters, mailers, and at all conferences.

What is the difference between the Practitioner and Specialist programs?
The Practitioner course covers the main concepts of ECM or ERM such as classification, metadata, search and retrieval, while the Specialist courses cover best practices for implementing ECM or ERM.

Are there any prerequisites to taking the ERM or ECM courses?

There are not specific prerequisites; however for the Master, it's helpful to have some background in records management.

Do I first have to take the Practitioner course before attending the Specialist and Master course?
The three training programs can be taken in any order, but we recommend that you have a good understanding of ERM or ERM concepts before attending the Specialist courses. You may also start with the Master to get a full understanding since this covers the other programs.

What is the difference between the ECM and ERM programs?
The ECM Certificate Program covers the strategies, methods and tools to capture, manage, store, preserve deliver information in support of business processes, while the ERM Certificate program explores records management in relation to the business needs of all types of organizations, both in the public and private sectors, embracing all records, but with a particular emphasis on electronic records. The ECM programs gives you, therefore, a broader view on managing content, document, records and processes across an organization, while the ERM programs gives you more in-depth knowledge about electronic records management.

Which should I take first: the ERM or the ECM certificate program?
This depends on your experience and existing solutions. Start with the ECM course if you need a good understanding of how to manage your information assets across your organization, or if you need to expand the usage of a departmental solution. Start with the ERM course if you need more in-depth knowledge about electronic records management.

I have an erm^m or ecm^m, but want to get the other Master certificate. Do I have to attend all 4 days of the other course to get the Master certificate?

AIIM policies consider each certificate to be entirely separate. AIIM and IMERGE Consulting recommend that the entire 4-day ERMm Master Course and 4-Day ECMm Master Course be attended by those interested in attaining the highest level of certificate offered by AIIM – the Master Certificate. A single Master exam is taken, plus a case. The only alternatives approved by AIIM for attaining the Master takes more time and effort – a 2-day Master Preparation Courses offered by AIIM and IMERGE – separate 2 days for ERMm and 2 days for ECMm. This requires an ERMp exam, ERMs exam and an ERMm exam plus the Master Case (or corresponding ECMp, ECMs and ECMm exams). Master Preparation workshop attendees must have the respective ECMp AND ECMs or ERMpAND ERMs Certificates before registering for either the online or live workshop.

Is it only possible to become a Master by attending a 4 day training course?
Yes, at this time it is only possible to become a Master by attending a 4 day training course. Practitioners and Specialists will recognize some of the content, but it is necessary to repeat this to prepare attendees for the Master exam and case study exercise.

How are the exams administered?

The exams are administered through the Web and are at your convenience (within a 6-month window). You will have online access to the modules about 3 days before the course, and there is an online exam which can be taken after the last day the class. People who take the online ONLY (not the live workshop) have quizzes at the end of each online module.

How long do I have to take finish the online modules and exam?
The access to the online modules and exam is valid for 6 months from the end of the live workshop date.

What if I can’t finish the modules or exam by the end of the six months due to family emergency or illness?

AIIM will not give extensions. You may plead your case to AIIM at training@aiim.org, or you may purchase an additional six months to extend your enrollment.

How long is the certificate valid?
The designations are valid for 5 years.

Do I learn the same in an online and onsite training course?
The onsite training courses cover the same content as the online courses even though the training structure may differ. You will also find that some online training modules cover topics in more detail while onsite classes provide you with more interactive case studies and workshops.

How long does it take to get case study results back?
It may take up to eight weeks to receive case study results.

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