An Intro into the World of Business Relationship Management, Part 3: What is BRMP and How Do I Get Certified?

We are on the third leg of our four-part series. In our previous Business Relationship Management blogs, we provided you with a summary overview of BRM, BRMP^®, and BRM Institute. We then followed with more detailed information about the BRM role and its organizational value. Today, we will take you to the world of the BRMP — what it is and how you get it.

1. What is BRMP^®?

BRMP^® stands for Business Relationship Management Professional. It is the first level of certification for Business Relationship Managers. This certification is designed to provide those in a BRM role or looking to move into a BRM role with the foundational knowledge they need to be successful. The foundational knowledge is captured in the BRMBOK™ (BRM Body of Knowledge). The BRMBOK can be downloaded for free as a member of BRM Institute^® (Business Relationship Management Institute) or ordered off Amazon in paperback or eBook. The BRMP training and certification program is a comprehensive foundation designed to provide a solid baseline level of knowledge regarding the BRM role.

2. Who should consider becoming a BRMP^®?

If you are already working in the role of a BRM, you would be a prime candidate for the BRMP. Other roles that may want to consider moving into a BRM role or utilizing the skills of a BRM to advance their own professional skills include:

• senior project managers
• program managers
• portfolio managers
• enterprise architects
• external service providers
• senior business analysts
• business architects
• representatives of shared services organizations such as IT, HR, finance, legal, purchasing, sales, and strategy planning
• professionals in business-partner-facing service provider roles
• anyone else interested in business value maximization

3. How many BRMPs are there?

The BRMP has been offered since 2009. As of the date of this article, there are over 7500 BRMPs globally.

4. What is involved in becoming a BRMP?

Getting your BRMP is a very different process from getting a certification from PMI® or IIBA®. There is no experience needed before taking the prep class. You may want to review the BRMBOK before class, but that is not a prerequisite. The process of becoming a BRMP is simple:

1. Attend a 3-day class from an accredited training organization (ATO) that has been assessed and certified by APMG International, such as Watermark Learning.
   1. Take a 50-question knowledge-based exam at the end of class. You have 40 minutes to complete the exam and must have a score of 50% or greater to pass the test. Upon successful completion of the course and exam, participants will receive their BRMP designation. 

5. How long is the BRMP valid?

The BRMP qualification does not expire. Once you pass the test with the appropriate score, you do not need any further professional credit units to keep the certification valid.

6. What if I do not pass the exam on the first try?

If you do not pass the exam on the first try, you can take it again, either in-person or virtually for -an extra fee.

7. How much does it cost to take the exam?

The cost of the exam is included in the cost of the class. Note that you must take a class from an accredited training organization (ATO).

8. Can I take the class without taking the test?

Yes, you can take the class and simply opt out of taking the test after the class. However, there is no cost difference since you will have already paid for the test.

9. Who offers the BRMP certification?

Only organizations and instructors who are accredited by APMG International can offer the BRMP certification class. (APMG International is an accreditation body who accredits training and consulting organizations and their instructors and manages certification schemes for knowledge-based exams.) There is a rigorous process for both the organization (Watermark Learning) as well as the instructor to become accredited.

10. How did Watermark get into BRMP training?

Watermark Learning is a recognized global leader offering skills development and certification training in project management and business analysis, including prep classes for CBAP, CCBA, ECBA and IIBA-AAC. As a training organization, we are focused on developing skilled professionals that help organizations realize value in their project and organizational investments. BRMP seemed like the next logical step.

For more information about BRM and the BRMP, visit our website.

BRMP^® is a registered trademark of Business Relationship Management Institute.