1. Traditional Route
The most established route to the PRM.
✅ Apply to the PRM program
✅ Complete PRM 1 and PRM 2 exams
✅ Earn the globally recognized PRM™ designation
2. Professional or University Exemption
Already hold a respected designation or degree? You may be eligible to fast-track.
✅ If you are a CFA®Charterholder, FRM®, or CIIA®—or if you’ve completed an approved university program—you can skip PRM 1
✅ Sit only for the PRM 2 exam
✅ Become a PRM™
3. PRM for Students
The next generation of risk leaders starts here.
✅ Open to students and recent graduates at partner universities
✅ Tailored learning experience with flexible timelines
✅ Complete PRM 1 and PRM 2 to earn your PRM™
4. Modular Path via Certificates
Prefer a step-by-step approach?
✅ Complete PRM 1 through the traditional exam or exemption
✅ Earn all three PRMIA risk management certificates:
✅ Combined, these replace the PRM 2 exam
✅ Earn your PRM™
Q. What is required to maintain the Professional Risk Manager Holder status?
A. PRMIA has a tiered structure for the Professional Risk Manager (PRM™) Designation, ensuring that PRM holders are recognized based on their level of engagement and professional development.
1: Active PRM Holder – You’re Fully Engaged in Professional Development
You pay your annual Sustaining member fees and
You complete your Continuing Risk Learning (CRL) credits to stay up to date with risk management best practices.
You can use the PRM Designation professionally AND receive a special badge for platforms like LinkedIn.
As a recognition of your commitment to the profession, you receive a discount on your sustaining member fees.
2: PRM Holder – You’re also a Sustaining Member
You pay your annual Sustaining member fees to maintain your Holder status.
You are officially recognized as a PRM Holder and can use the PRM Designation professionally (on your CV, business cards, and LinkedIn).
You remain connected to PRMIA’s global network and can access risk management resources in the members' sections of our website.
3: PRM Qualified – You Passed the Exams and Met Other Requirements
You have successfully completed the PRM 1 and PRM 2 exams (or equivalent pathways).
This status is yours for life—you will always be recognized as PRM Qualified.
However, you cannot use the PRM Designation professionally (on your CV, business cards, or LinkedIn) or be included in the PRM Holder list.
Q. What is the designation that people with Active PRM Holder, and PRM Holder status are awarded?
A. With the awarding of the designation and verification of required prerequisites, successful candidates become a Professional Risk Manager, or PRM, and will be provided a unique digital PRM certificate number. You may use the PRM logo (below), along with the words “PRM” and your unique number on business cards, resumes and CVs.
Q. What does my PRM certification status mean?
A. You can find your current PRM status in your account profile in the PRMIA Certification Profile tab.
The definition of your current status can be found in the list below - each describes the various steps with the PRM Certification path:
- Applicant: An individual who has submitted an application and paid the application fee, or an individual who has an approved application but has not yet paid the PRM program fee.
- Candidate: An individual who is currently on the PRM certification path and either within the two-year enrollment period, or has at least one passed exam within two years.
- Qualified: An individual who has successfully completed the PRM 1 and PRM 2 exams (or equivalent pathways). This status is yours for life—you will always be recognized as PRM Qualified. However, you cannot use the PRM Designation professionally (on your CV, business cards, or LinkedIn) or be included in the PRM Holder list.
- PRM Active Holder: An individual who has met all requirements and recertification (maintenance) requirements for the PRM Designation program, but are also active in our community and earning CRL credits.
- PRM Holder: You pay your annual Sustaining member fees to maintain Holder status. You are officially recognized professionally (on your CV, business cards, and LinkedIn). You remain connected to PRMIA's global network and can access risk management resources in the member's section of our website.
- Enrollment Expired: An individual whose progress on the PRM certification path has halted which is indicated by no exam activity in the last 3 years plus 6 months, or at least 2 years and 6 months from the date of the last passed exam.
- Application Expired: An individual who applied for the program but did not purchase the Program Fee within 6 months of their application.
- Retired: A PRM certified user that has been certified as 'retired' in their professional career and holds a Sustaining membership. For instructions on how to retire the PRM Holder status, contact [email protected].
Q. Why is this program preferred over other risk management designations?
A. The PRM certification has been publicly
endorsed by leading universities and businesses around the world. It is the top certification program available for the validation of the knowledge and understanding essential for financial risk managers and is more affordable than other risk management designations. Because of its quality and predictive power, many firms are requiring their employees to sit for the PRM, and several universities are building their graduate programs to align with the PRM.
Q. What do past candidates say about the PRM?
A. We're very proud of
our reviews see for yourself.
Q. What does having PRM after my name do for me?
A. Along with the feeling of accomplishment for completing the coursework and exam comes the ability to set yourself apart in the industry. Less than 20% of risk professionals carry a professional risk designation after their name, so PRM Certified Professionals have many more opportunities in the competitive job market. Businesses are recognizing the importance of the skill sets learned in the PRM Designation, and many more are mandating the credential in their higher level positions. This means that in the near future upper managers and CROs will be coming from the rank of peers within PRMIA.
Q. Why should I choose the PRM over other credentials?
A. There are only a few credentials in the risk profession that are recognized as industry leading, and the PRM is rated highest. Our program is well regarded because the PRM encompasses both highly advanced academics and practical business application. Employers know that the skills of the PRM Certified Professional are robust and essential to their business, and they respect the added effort that goes into the PRM over other credentials. PRM Certified Professionals stand out in a stack of resumes.
Q. I just want to learn more, not to be certified. Is this still for me?
A. Yes. There is no requirement that you complete both exams. If you want to improve your knowledge and understanding, or want to develop your staff, pick and choose the areas that you think they should know and use our program to validate their success. All financial market participants benefit from a better understanding of risk management case studies. Suppose someone is applying for an entry level job in your department. You can have them take Exam I to determine how ready they are to be developed into a risk manager. The goal of our program is to advance you and the profession. You may also wish to look at PRMIA learning and educational offerings for additional resources to expand your professional skills.
Q. I want to know more details. What should I do?
A. Download the PRM Candidate Guidebook. Then, if you have any questions or comments, contact us at [email protected].
Exam Prerequisites:
Q. Are there any prerequisites?
A. Individuals applying to the PRM Program must provide evidence of meeting the following requirements:
- Candidates must meet the minimum experience requirements, which include:
- Graduate school (i.e. MBA, MSF, MQF etc.) or current CFA Charter Holder, CIIA, or FRM OR
- Bachelor's degree with two years full-time work experience, OR
- Four years full-time work experience.
IMPORTANT: Any work experience submitted must be associated with the financial services industries (including regulatory or rating industries), or in the risk management department of any industry.
Please note: While no documentation is required at the time of enrollment, verification of experience must be submitted after successfully completing the PRM exams to receive the designation.
Are you a student or a recent graduate? Students currently enrolled in a degree program and graduates who have recently completed an undergraduate degree program are eligible to take the PRM Designation program when they are eligible, meet any remaining PRM requirements necessary, and become a PRM Designation Holder. This can be combined with the exemptions for accredited universities. Details can be found on the PRM for Student Program page.
Are you a CFA Charterholder, CIIA, or FRM holder? Because the content in these certifications aligns closely with the material covered in PRM Exam 1, you are exempt from taking that exam and will only need to take PRM Exam 2 to achieve your PRM Designation. Learn more.
Q. Why does PRMIA implement minimum experience requirements?
A. The reason for the PRM requiring some previous experience of related work is that candidates can apply their experience to the theoretical concepts they meet in their study. Also, it allows the PRM to be seen as a qualification that is held by experienced risk management practitioners. This will be an attraction to new PRM candidates and a benefit to PRM Certified Professionals.
Exam Structure and Format:
Q. Can I take the exams separately?
A. Exams can be taken in any order, and it is up to the candidate to take one exam or both exams on a single day.
All PRM exams must be completed within a two year period which commences from the date of the first passed exam.
Q. How long do I have to pass both exams?
A. All exams must be taken within a two year period, starting the date of your first passed exam.
Q. What if I fail an exam?
A. Candidates may retake any failed exam, but must wait 60 days from the date of the failed exam. A new exam authorization will need to be purchased.
Q. How long are the exams?
A. PRMIA computer-based method of delivery of the exams allows it to evaluate very specific details about each question administered, including down-to-the-second measurements of how long it takes most candidates to answer each question. Exams vary in length based on these validated testing times:
|
Exam
|
Exam Name
|
No. of Questions
|
Time Allowed
|
| 1 |
Finance Foundations |
60 |
4 hrs |
| 2 |
Risk Management Practices |
84 |
4 hrs |
Q. Do the exams have multiple choice and written answers?A. Questions are all multiple choice. The PRM exams are offered in the English language only.
Q. In which languages can I take the PRM exams?
A. The PRM exams are offered in the English language only.
Q. Must I take the exams in chronological order?
A. No. You may take the exams in any order.
Q. What is the expected passing grade?
A. Current passing grades are 60% on each exam.
Q. Can I cancel or reschedule my exam?
A. In recognition of the busy and changing schedules of risk managers, you may change your exam appointment without charge through the Pearson VUE system. Please note that all change requests must be made through your Pearson VUE account at least one business day before the testing date, or the entire exam fee will be forfeited. When canceling and rescheduling your exam, be sure you fully complete the process in your Pearson VUE account and check that you receive a confirmation email so you don't miss the exam by mistake. PRMIA cannot reopen exam authorizations once they are marked as a "no show".
Study Materials
Study Preparation
Q. How much study time do I need to prepare?
A. Preparation time will vary greatly according to your knowledge and understanding of the subject matter prior to your self-study. This will also vary according to your ability to commit dedicated and uninterrupted time to your study as well as other factors. In general, candidates who prepare for the exams of the PRM Certification Program allocate about eight hours per week for three months in preparation for each exam. To support your study, PRMIA offers additional resources such as
Practice Exams, eCoach modules, and
Bootcamp workshops to help reinforce key concepts and guide your preparation.
Q. Between family and work, I don't have time to prepare for lengthy exams. Can you help me?
A. Of course. The Professional Risk Manager program is first and foremost designed to help you and the profession to advance. To accommodate busy schedules, you can take the required exams at your own pace, in any order, over a period of up to two years. Individual exams vary in length from one to two hours, giving you flexibility to fit into most business days. You may also leverage
Practice Exams and
eCoach modules to focus your study efficiently or attend a
Bootcamp session for an intensive review if you prefer structured learning.
Q. Can I Bring a Calculator, PDA, Smartphone or Tablet into the Exam?
A. No materials may be brought into your test location; however, you will be provided with an erasable board upon request, and a software scientific calculator - Texas Instrument TI-30XS (calculator user guide). A practice exam is offered by Pearson VUE where candidates can familiarize themselves with the software calculator and testing environment. Candidates may also wish to purchase the hand-held version (TI-30XS) for use during studying.
Exam Cost
Q. What is the cost for those who are exempt from PRM Exam 1?
A. The candidate will pay for their application and then for PRM Exam 2.
Q. What is the exam authorization period?
A. The exam authorization period for PRM examinations is one year from the date of the purchase of an individual PRM authorization and two years if the PRM 1 and PRM 2 authorizations are purchased together as the PRM Bundle.
The exam authorization period for PRM retake examinations is one year from the date of the purchase of the retake fee.
The exam authorization provides PRM Applicants with "pre-approved" exams with Pearson VUE to schedule and take the PRM examinations.
Q. Are any discounts available?
A. Exam bundles are available giving a reduced price if both exams are purchased at once. Discounts are also available for companies or institutions that wish to enroll 10 or more candidates in any part of the program. The candidates need not sit at the same time, and your group will have up to one year to use the testing slots purchased. Contact [email protected] to learn more.
Exam Scheduling and Testing Windows:
Q. What are the current offering dates?
A. Exams are offered at fixed intervals throughout the year. Visit
this page for the current scheduling and testing windows .
Candidates may only sit for the same exam once every 60 days.
*Scheduling window is the time frame in which you may contact Pearson VUE and set the date you will be sitting for your exam (testing window).
**Testing Window is the days on which you can sit for your exam.
Q. What is the difference between the exam authorization period with Pearson VUE and the requirement to complete all required PRM Exams within two years?
A. The exam authorization period is two years from the date the PRM Applicant pays the PRM Program Bundle and one year if the exam authorizations are purchased individually. The exam authorization allows candidates to schedule and take their required PRM Exams with Pearson VUE at the Pearson VUE testing centers. It is required that both exams be passed within a two year period. The candidate should be aware of when their exam authorizations expire and when the PRM testing windows are open to ensure they meet both the two year exam requirement and their authorization period.
The PRM program requires that all PRM exams be completed within a two year period. The period begins with the date of the first successful exam. For some candidates, this two year period may extend beyond the exam authorization period. Candidates who have additional required exams, but no active exam authorizations may request to purchase a PRM retake exam in order to continue on their certification path and complete their required exams.
Q. What information is shared with Pearson VUE?
A. To authorize you to take the PRM Examinations, PRMIA sends the following details to Pearson VUE. These details are taken from your primary address and phone number you provide in your PRMIA profile. The data are sent to Pearson VUE only when you purchase a program fee or a retake exam fee.
- PRMIA unique identifier (an internal ID)
- First and Last Name, and Middle Name or Prefix, if provided
- Salutation, if provided
- Email address
- Primary address and phone number
Visit the PRMIA Privacy Policy for more information.
Exam Registration and Testing Centers
Q. How do I schedule my exam, either at a test center or in a remote-proctored environment?
A. Review the Exam Schedule then log in to your Pearson VUE account to schedule your examination directly with Pearson VUE. Space at the testing centers is reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so you are encouraged to register when the scheduling window opens.
Remote proctored examinations are available with OnVUE for PRM candidates. Visit the Pearson VUE for information on the OnVUE platform.
Q. If I'm ready to register now, what should I do?
A. Log in to your Pearson VUE account to schedule your examination directly with Pearson VUE.
Q. Can I bring a calculator, PDA, tablet or smartphone into the exam?
A. No materials may be brought into the testing room or be used in the remote-proctored environment. When taking the test at a test center, you may request an erasable board. When taking the test in a remote-proctored environment, a notepad is available within the testing platform. A software scientific calculator is available in both environments. Pearson VUE uses the Texas Instrument TI-30XS - click here to view the (calculator user guide). A practice exam is offered by Pearson VUE where candidates can familiarize themselves with the software calculator and testing environment. Candidates may also wish to purchase the hand-held version of the TI-30XS calculator for use during studying.
Q. Where can I take the exams?
A. The exams are offered by Pearson VUE at over 6,000 secure and convenient testing centers located in approximately 170 countries throughout the world.
Remote proctored examinations are available through Pearson VUE, using the OnVUE test environment. To view your options to sit for your exam at a test center or in a remote-proctored environment, log in to your
Pearson VUE account.
Q. What kind of testing site security will there be?
A. Candidates are asked to review Pearson VUE's Global ID Policy before travelling to an exam center. There is a link to this policy at the bottom of this
page.
Q. How can I learn more about the remote-proctored examination process?
A. The PRM examination program is available in a remote-proctored environment through OnVUE, Pearson VUE's remote-proctored examination system. Visit the
OnVUE online testing requirements and Check In to learn more about testing requirements and checking in process. You can also visit the
PRMIA Pearson VUE landing page and click the OnVUE image to view this information online.
Cross-Over Exemptions
Exam Results and Designation Certificate
Q. Where do I find my exam results?
A. Exams are graded digitally. Results are usually available within 15 business days of your test date and can be accessed by signing in to your PRMIA account and navigating to the 'PRMIA Certification profile' tab in your 'PRMIA Profile'.
Q. How and when do I receive my PRM Designation Certificate?
A. After becoming certified, your certificate number is available via your Certifications Tab in your PRMIA Profile. Digital certificates are issued by Accredible. Digital certificates offer more than a just a digital copy of your certificate, see Documentation & Sharing for features.
Q. What information is shared with Accredible?
A. Accredible is the provider of the PRMIA digital certificates. In order to provide the digital certificates within the PRMIA Public Directory of PRM Holders, PRMIA sends the following details to Accredible. These details are taken from your latest exam records, as shown in your PRMIA Certification Profile tab in your PRMIA profile. The data are sent to Accredible only once the PRM Designation is achieved and the status changes to "Holder".
- PRMIA Member ID
- First and Last Name, and Middle Name or Prefix, if provided
- Email address
- Certificate Number
- Certificate Date
Visit the PRMIA Privacy Policy for more information.