What Is a Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM)?

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Written by True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

Reviewed by Subject Matter Experts

Updated on August 14, 2023

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A Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) is a professional designation given to individuals who have met specific requirements relating to the management of personal risk.

The certification is administered by the National Institute for Personal Risk Management (NIPRM), a not-for-profit organization dedicated to advancing the knowledge and skills of those who work in personal risk management.

In order to earn the designation of Certified Personal Risk Manager, a candidate must meet or exceed a set of established standards recognized as being beneficial for practitioners and organizations alike.

Financial advisors can only use the designation once all requirements have been completed and have been officially certified by NIPRM.

The foundation for personal risk management is based on earlier work by the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), now called the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC).

The IAPSC is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1959 and provides personal risk management training and certification.

The title, Certified Personal Risk Manager, implies that there is a set of skills required for this position, and NIPRM is the only recognized certification for professionals working in personal risk management.

Personal risk managers work within a variety of organizations such as law enforcement agencies, education institutions, military forces, and corporate security departments who employ them to provide advice and guidance on matters involving individual safety and security.

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Functions of a CPRM

Personal risk managers are concerned with protecting individuals from harm.

In order to be effective, they must rely on a solid foundation of knowledge and skills as well as an understanding of the organizational security environment within which they work.

Various tasks that a CPRM may perform can include:

Assessing Risks – Examining potential hazards and identifying ways in which those hazards could directly or indirectly impact the safety and security of individuals.

Implementing a Plan – Working with organizations, coworkers, and clients in order to achieve a shared purpose.

CPRMs must be willing to take an active role in the development of plans for individual safety, incorporating input from all relevant stakeholders.

Monitoring Progress – Providing regular updates on the risk assessment and risk management plan, as well as ensuring that corrective actions are taken when necessary.

Providing Training – Developing and delivering training materials on personal safety and security for employees, students, or members of the public.

Advising Clients – Offering expert advice on issues such as travel security, domestic violence, and personal safety.

Providing Support – Offering emotional support and assistance to victims of crime or other traumatic events.

Why Become Certified

Personal risk management is an area of interest to many people because it can be one of the most effective ways of protecting yourself and your loved ones.

There are several reasons why people become certified.

Whether you already work in the field or are just starting out, certification as a personal risk manager can be an important milestone on your journey toward a professional career.

Maybe you are just starting out and want to make sure that you have the best possible foundation on which to build a career in personal risk management.

Either way, certification as a personal risk manager can be an important milestone on your journey and is recognized as such throughout the world.

How to Get Certified

In order to become certified as a Personal Risk Manager, candidates must meet or exceed a set of established standards related to the practice of personal risk management.

These include knowledge, skills, and abilities in the areas of risk assessment, risk management planning, crisis management, and more.

The best way to achieve certification is to attend an accredited training program offered by a recognized institution such as the National Institute for Personal Risk Management.

Once you have completed a program, you can then take the certification exam. If you pass, you will be officially certified as a Personal Risk Manager and can use the designation as part of your professional name.

Benefits of Being Certified

When you become certified as a personal risk manager, you will be joining an elite group of professionals who recognize the value that comes with formalized knowledge and training in this area. You will also enjoy several benefits such as:

  • A higher level of recognition and respect from your peers
  • The ability to use the designation CPRM after your name
  • Opportunities for advancement within your organization
  • The satisfaction of knowing that you are among the best in your field

The Bottom Line

Certification as a personal risk manager is an important milestone on your journey to becoming a world-class professional in this field.

It demonstrates that you have met or exceeded a set of standards recognized as being beneficial for practitioners and organizations alike.

If you are already working in personal risk management, certification can help you formalize your skills and knowledge. If you are just starting out, it can be an important foundation on which to build your career.

Whatever your situation, certification will help you realize your full potential in this field.

Certified Personal Risk Manager (CPRM) FAQs

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About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

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