August 13, 2003 - PRMIA received notice this week that the Ministry of Education in China has approved the PRM for offering in the People's Republic of China. Effective immediately, candidates in China can take any of the PRM exams, any business day at one of the 20 centers in China where the exams are offered.

"This is great news," said Meg Weetenkamp of Thomson Prometric, who administer the the PRM exams in their high-security testing centers around the world."Thomson Prometric submitted the application on behalf of PRMIA and the Ministry of Education conveyed its official approval [at the end of July]."

"PRMIA has a global mission to serve and lead the risk profession," said David R. Koenig, Chair of PRMIA's Board of Directors. "This approval is a requirement for designations to be officially recognized in China and we know of no other programs targeted to risk professionals that have received such an official approval. The PRM is the only globally-endorsed certification program for risk managers and now our rapidly growing membership in China will have access to it every business day."

The exams of the PRM program are offered in 20 centers in the People's Republic of China in the following cities: Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Dalian, Guangzhou, Harbin, Jinan, Kunming, Nanjing, Shanghai, Wuhan, Xiamen and Xian. PRMIA has a local chapter in Shanghai and will shortly be opening a new chapter in Beijing. As of June 30, 2003, China ranked #7 in the list of countries from which PRMIA members come.

To celebrate the approval, PRMIA is offering a 20% discount on PRM registrations made during August and September for testing centers in China. The discount is good for any month that the exam will be taken, but registration must be completed before October 1, 2003. Members can register online and should enter the Special Code CHINA20 in the appropriate space on the form. Members who have questions about the China discount or the PRM program in general can contact Scott Schleifer at scott.schleifer@prmia.org.