IGP Recertification 2027: Requirements, Costs & Timeline

IGP Recertification Overview

The Information Governance Professional (IGP) certification is a prestigious credential that demonstrates expertise in information governance practices. However, like most professional certifications, the IGP requires ongoing maintenance to ensure that certified professionals stay current with evolving industry standards and best practices.

The IGP certification, governed by ARMA International through the IGP Governance Board, maintains its value through a structured recertification process. This system ensures that certified professionals remain knowledgeable about current information governance trends, regulations, and methodologies that affect their daily work and strategic decision-making.

Understanding the recertification process is crucial for maintaining your professional standing and continuing to leverage the career benefits that come with IGP certification. Those considering whether the IGP certification is worth pursuing should factor in the ongoing commitment required to maintain the credential.

Recertification Requirements

The IGP certification maintains its validity for exactly three years from the date of initial certification or last recertification. To maintain your certified status, you must complete specific continuing education requirements and submit a recertification application before your certification expires.

Core Requirements

The primary requirement for IGP recertification is the completion of 60 continuing education (CE) credits during your three-year certification period. These credits must be earned through approved activities that contribute to your professional development in information governance and related fields.

The continuing education requirements are designed to ensure that IGP professionals stay current with the rapidly evolving field of information governance. As organizations face increasing regulatory pressures and technological changes, the knowledge areas covered in the eight IGP exam domains continue to expand and evolve.

Professional Experience Requirements

In addition to continuing education credits, recertifying candidates must maintain active engagement in information governance work. This means continuing to work in roles that utilize information governance knowledge and skills, whether in traditional records management, data governance, privacy, compliance, or related areas.

The experience requirement ensures that certified professionals are not only learning about information governance but also actively applying their knowledge in real-world situations. This practical application helps maintain the credibility and value of the IGP credential in the marketplace.

Understanding Continuing Education Credits

Continuing education credits form the backbone of the IGP recertification process. Understanding how to earn and track these credits is essential for maintaining your certification without stress or last-minute scrambling.

Approved CE Activities

The IGP Governance Board recognizes various types of professional development activities for continuing education credit. These typically include:

• Professional conferences and seminars: ARMA International conferences, local chapter meetings, and other industry events
• Educational courses: University courses, professional development programs, and online learning modules
• Webinars and virtual events: Industry webinars, virtual conferences, and online training sessions
• Professional writing: Publishing articles, blog posts, or research papers on information governance topics
• Speaking engagements: Presenting at conferences, leading workshops, or conducting training sessions
• Volunteer work: Contributing to professional organizations, serving on committees, or participating in standards development
• Self-directed learning: Reading professional literature, completing self-study programs, or pursuing relevant certifications

Each activity type has specific guidelines for calculating credit hours. Generally, one hour of active participation equals one continuing education credit, though some activities may have different conversion rates.

Credit Distribution Requirements

The 60 required continuing education credits should ideally span across different types of activities and learning formats. This approach ensures a well-rounded professional development experience that exposes you to various perspectives and methodologies in information governance.

Activity Type	Maximum Credits	Documentation Required
Professional Conferences	No limit	Attendance certificates
Formal Education	30 credits	Transcripts or certificates
Self-Directed Learning	20 credits	Learning logs or summaries
Professional Writing	15 credits per year	Publication evidence
Volunteer Service	15 credits per year	Service verification

Recertification Costs Breakdown

While the initial IGP certification requires a significant investment of $599 for the application and exam, recertification involves different cost considerations. Understanding these costs helps you budget appropriately for maintaining your certification over time.

Direct Recertification Fees

The recertification application fee is typically lower than the initial certification cost, as you're not taking a new exam. However, specific fees should be verified with ARMA International, as they may change over time.

For those interested in the complete financial picture of IGP certification, our comprehensive cost breakdown covers both initial and ongoing expenses associated with the credential.

Continuing Education Costs

The indirect costs of recertification come primarily from continuing education activities. These costs can vary widely depending on your chosen approach:

• Conference attendance: Registration fees, travel, accommodation, and time away from work
• Professional development courses: Tuition, materials, and opportunity costs
• ARMA membership: Annual dues for access to member resources and discounted events
• Professional literature: Books, journal subscriptions, and research materials
• Online learning platforms: Subscription fees for educational websites and training programs

However, many of these continuing education activities provide value beyond just maintaining your certification. The knowledge gained often translates directly into improved job performance and can contribute to salary increases that more than offset the investment costs, as detailed in our comprehensive salary analysis.

Recertification Timeline

Successful recertification requires careful timeline management. The three-year certification period may seem lengthy, but time passes quickly when you're focused on daily work responsibilities.

Year One: Foundation Building

During your first year as an IGP, focus on building a strong foundation for your recertification journey:

• Join ARMA International and your local chapter
• Attend at least two major information governance conferences
• Begin documenting all professional development activities
• Target earning 25-30 continuing education credits
• Establish relationships with other IGP professionals

This aggressive first-year approach provides a buffer for unexpected challenges in later years and helps you stay engaged with the information governance community.

Year Two: Skill Development

The second year should focus on deepening your expertise and expanding your professional network:

• Consider speaking at conferences or local chapter meetings
• Pursue specialized training in emerging areas of information governance
• Engage in volunteer work with professional organizations
• Target earning an additional 20-25 continuing education credits
• Begin contributing to professional publications or blogs

Year Three: Preparation and Application

The final year should focus on completing requirements and preparing your recertification application:

• Complete any remaining continuing education credits early in the year
• Organize all documentation and supporting materials
• Submit your recertification application well before the deadline
• Plan your continuing education strategy for the next three-year cycle

Maintaining Your Certification

Successful IGP recertification goes beyond simply meeting minimum requirements. The most successful professionals view recertification as an opportunity for continuous improvement and career advancement.

Documentation Best Practices

Maintaining detailed records of your continuing education activities is crucial for smooth recertification. Create a systematic approach to documentation:

• Use a spreadsheet or professional development tracking system
• Record activities immediately after completion
• Save all certificates, attendance records, and supporting materials
• Include brief summaries of key learning points from each activity
• Regularly review your progress toward the 60-credit requirement

Good documentation practices not only facilitate recertification but also help you track your professional growth and identify areas for future development.

Staying Current with Industry Changes

Information governance is a rapidly evolving field, with new regulations, technologies, and best practices emerging regularly. Your continuing education should help you stay ahead of these changes rather than simply react to them.

Consider how changes in technology, privacy regulations, and business practices affect each of the core information governance domains, particularly the Procedural Framework domain, which carries the highest weight on the IGP exam.

Strategies for Successful Renewal

Developing an effective strategy for IGP recertification can make the process more manageable and valuable for your career development.

Integrated Learning Approach

Rather than viewing continuing education as a separate obligation, integrate learning activities into your regular work routine and career development plans:

• Attend conferences that address current workplace challenges
• Pursue training that enhances your current job performance
• Engage in volunteer work that builds new professional relationships
• Write about projects or initiatives you're leading at work
• Present on topics where you have practical expertise

This integrated approach ensures that your continuing education investments provide immediate value while meeting recertification requirements.

Professional Network Development

Use the recertification process as an opportunity to build and strengthen your professional network. The relationships you develop with other information governance professionals can provide ongoing value throughout your career.

Active participation in professional organizations often provides multiple benefits: continuing education credits, networking opportunities, and visibility that can lead to career advancement opportunities, as outlined in our comprehensive career guide.

What Happens If Your Certification Expires

Understanding the consequences of letting your IGP certification lapse helps motivate timely recertification and provides clarity about your options if expiration occurs.

Immediate Consequences

When your IGP certification expires, you immediately lose the right to use the IGP designation and represent yourself as a certified Information Governance Professional. This can have professional and potentially legal implications, especially if your job description or contracts specify IGP certification as a requirement.

Additionally, expired certification may affect your credibility with clients, employers, or colleagues who value the IGP credential. In competitive job markets, maintaining current certification can be crucial for career advancement.

Reinstatement Options

If your certification expires, reinstatement options may be available, but they typically involve additional requirements and costs compared to timely recertification. The specific reinstatement process should be verified with ARMA International, as policies may change.

Generally, reinstatement may require:

• Completing additional continuing education credits
• Paying higher fees than standard recertification
• Providing detailed explanations for the lapse
• Meeting any new certification requirements implemented since your original certification

Retaking the Exam

In some cases, professionals whose certifications have been expired for extended periods may need to retake the entire IGP examination. This requires the same preparation and investment as initial certification, including the full $599 fee and extensive study time.

For those facing this situation, our comprehensive study guide provides current information about exam preparation and requirements. You can also access our practice test platform to assess your readiness and identify areas needing additional study.

Tips for Recertification Success

Successful IGP recertification requires strategic planning and consistent execution. These practical tips can help ensure a smooth renewal process.

Create a Continuing Education Plan

Develop a three-year continuing education plan that aligns with your career goals and interests. This plan should include:

• Target number of credits to earn each year
• Mix of activity types to maintain engagement
• Budget for continuing education expenses
• Timeline for major learning activities
• Regular progress review and plan adjustments

Having a written plan makes it easier to stay on track and ensures that your continuing education supports both recertification requirements and career development goals.

Leverage Technology for Tracking

Use digital tools to manage your recertification process:

• Calendar reminders for important deadlines
• Cloud-based document storage for certificates and records
• Spreadsheets or apps for tracking credit accumulation
• Email alerts for relevant continuing education opportunities
• Mobile apps for capturing learning activities in real-time

Stay Connected with the IGP Community

Maintain regular connection with other IGP professionals and the broader information governance community. This connection provides several benefits:

• Early awareness of new continuing education opportunities
• Insights into industry trends and emerging practices
• Potential collaboration opportunities for presentations or publications
• Peer support and motivation for maintaining certification
• Access to informal mentoring and career advice

Consider participating in online forums, LinkedIn groups, and local ARMA chapters to maintain these valuable connections. You can also use our practice test resources to stay sharp on core IGP concepts and help other professionals prepare for their initial certification.

Quality Over Quantity

While meeting the 60-credit requirement is essential, focus on quality learning experiences that provide genuine value. Choose continuing education activities that:

• Address current challenges in your work environment
• Introduce new perspectives or methodologies
• Connect you with thought leaders in the field
• Provide practical skills you can immediately apply
• Challenge you to think differently about information governance

High-quality learning experiences often provide more than just continuing education credits-they can lead to career breakthroughs, new job opportunities, and enhanced professional reputation.

Frequently Asked Questions