What is CMRP Certification? Everything you need to know about SMRP's CMRP Certification
Before we dive into the details of CMRP, let us first know the context behind the globally-recognized industry certification.
What is SMRP?
As a nonprofit organization created by practitioners for practitioners, SMRP remains committed to conducting business with a member focus. SMRP develops and implements a multi-year strategic plan directly aligned with the organization’s mission, vision and values.
SMRP was formed in 1992 by practitioners from 18 different companies who were passionate about actively promoting maintenance and reliability within their field and to the public. In 1997, SMRP formed SMRPCO to create a certification program to validate the skills and knowledge of maintenance, reliability and physical asset management practitioners. Three years later, the first Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional exam (CMRP) was administered.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals Certifying Organization (SMRPCO) is the certifying body of the Society for Maintenance & Reliability Professionals (SMRP) – a global professional society serving over 7,500 members.
Mission
To develop and promote excellence in maintenance, reliability and physical asset management.
Values
SMRP values data-driven excellence, sharing/collaboration, membership focus, continuous improvement, accountability, trust and respect, integrity and social responsibility.
Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional (CMRP) Exam
About the CMRP Exam
The CMRP program is the leading credential for certifying the knowledge, skills and abilities of maintenance, reliability and physical asset management professionals. The CMRP exam is a thorough test of a
broad scope of expertise measured against the universal standard. It was developed to assess professionals’ aptitude within the five pillars of the SMRP Body of Knowledge, which include: business and management,
manufacturing process reliability, equipment reliability, organization and leadership, and work management.
Accreditation and Recognition
The CMRP is accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), an independent third-party organization that evaluates certification programs and organization requirements on a regular basis. The CMRP exam is the only certification program of its kind accredited by ANAB under the ISO/IEC 17024 standard.
Visit www.anab.ansi.org to learn moreabout accreditation.
Benefits of a CMRP Certification
Individual practitioners, such as maintenance technicians and reliability professionals, as well as whole companies can benefit from CMRP certification. Some of these benefits include the following.
Increased Hireability
Over 5,000 employers worldwide use the certification as a prerequisite for hiring. Even in cases where it’s not required, employment candidates are often moved to the top of the list if they’re CMRP certified. It’s a great way to advance your career since it shows employers, colleagues, and peers your commitment to continued education and training.
Widely Recognized Validation
It’s also worth noting that the CMRP is the only certification program that’s accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and it’s globally recognized with ISO standards.
Cost Savings for Organizations
According to a recent survey of SMRP members and certificants, 72% of respondents estimate that the practices covered in the exam have saved their organization at least $50,000 in the last year. Some of those respondents (37%) estimated savings of $1 million or more.
Metrics and Innovation
Meanwhile, 62% of leaders indicate that employing a CMRP or CMRT (Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician) has improved operational metrics, such as OEE, for their company. On top of that, 45% of leaders indicate CMRTs / CMRPs increase their company’s ability to “think outside the box.”
Educational Experience Requirement
The CMRP is an experienced-based exam. A candidate is unlikely to pass the exam based on knowledge gained from a book, course or educational degree. Though SMRPCO does not endorse a specific study pathway to achieving a passing score on the CMRP, there are numerous study resources available at www.smrp.org.
CMRP Exam Questions
The CMRP exam contains 110 multiple-choice questions with four possible answers and only one correct answer. Examinees have two and one-half (2.5) hours to complete the closed-book exam. No reference materials will be allowed during the exam. Online calculators are available to examinees to assist with calculations. External calculators are not allowed.
What does the CMRP Exam Encompass?
The exam assesses an individual’s aptitude within the five pillars of the SMRP Body of Knowledge (BoK):
- Business & Management
- Equipment Reliability
- Manufacturing Process Reliability
- Organization & Leadership
- Work Management
Each pillar details an area of maintenance, reliability and physical asset management that individuals should be proficient in to improve their careers.
Several of the pillars also address technical and “people” skills that help individuals better manage
relationships with colleagues.
Preparing for the Exam
Exam Preparatory Training and
Resources
SMRP may offer preparatory courses, but SMRPCO will not offer or endorse such courses, in an effort to remain impartial in the certification process.
SMRP does not currently offer CMRP or CMRT preparatory courses; however, SMRP’s education program offers several ways to learn about topics relevant to the CMRP and CMRT exams.
Professional Development Webinar Program
SMRP offers live webinars every year through its Professional Development Webinar Program and has over 140 on-demand webinars available via the SMRP Library. All webinars are carefully evaluated through a rigorous and unbiased peer review process to ensure they align with SMRP’s mission. You can be sure the material will be relevant and practical, and it will be taught by a knowledgeable, experienced instructor. All SMRP webinars are free to members. Nonmembers can purchase a webinar for a fee.
SMRP Library
The SMRP Library contains downloadable documents, such as the SMRP Body of Knowledge, best practices, presentations from past conferences and metrics to help members further develop their professional skills. Some materials are available for free to SMRP members and at varied costs to non-members.
RECOMMENDED Readings for purchase in our bookstore:
- “Maintenance Strategy” by Anthony Kelly
- “Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World’s Greatest Manufacturer” by Jeffrey K. Liker
- “Juran’s Quality Handbook, 7th Edition” by Joseph A. DeFeo
- “Maintenance & Reliability Best Practices” by Ramesh Gulati
- “World Class Manufacturing” Richard J. Schonberger
- “Gateway to World Class Maintenance” by Anthony M. Smith & Glenn R. Hinchcliffe
- “Making Common Sense Common Practice” by Ron Moore
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey
- “Successfully Installing TPM in a Non-Japanese Plant” by Edward H. Hartmann
- “Computerized Maintenance Management Systems” by Terry Wireman
- “Maintenance Planning and Scheduling Handbook”
by Doc Palmer (first 3 chapters)
CMRP Roadmap
SMRPCO volunteers developed The CMRP Roadmap to help candidates prepare for the CMRP exam. The document identifies eight areas that help individuals master the five pillars of the SMRP Body of Knowledge and adequately prepare for the CMRP exam.
Download CMRP Roadmap here.
