ORM Certificate Frequently Asked Questions
Please be sure to download and review the Operational Risk Management (ORM) Certificate Candidate Guidebook which includes complete details about the program and its requirements. The questions below reflect some common questions received.
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What is the Difference Between the ORM Designation and the Operational Risk Management (ORM) Certificate?
The ORM Designation is our most academically advanced program. It is designed to recognize the experience and competencies of risk leaders. It is for professionals leading their organization through operational risks. Only successful candidates of the ORM Designation are entitled to us the ORM title.
The ORM Certificate is designed to deliver a deep, practical understanding of operational risk management frameworks and measurement methodologies in financial institutions. Successful candidates will be better prepared to implement meaningful risk assessment initiatives, produce useful risk management information, and understand basic modeling techniques for operational risk measurement.
What is required to receive the ORM Certificate?
Candidates are required to pass one exam to be awarded the ORM Certificate.
Are there any prerequisites to write the exam?
The only prerequisite to take the ORM exam is to have an account with PRMIA.
Are candidates required to complete yearly continuing education credits?
The ORM Certificate does not require any continuing education to be completed.
What do I have to do to maintain my certificate?
The only requirement in maintaining your certificate is to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards as defined by the PRMIA Standards of Best Practice, Conduct and Ethics.
What if I fail the exam the first time I take it?
Candidates may retake the exam by purchasing a new exam authorization. The cost for a new exam authorization is $468 for non-members and is discounted for members. Please contact [email protected] for a link to purchase a retake exam. Candidates must wait 90 days from the date of the failed exam to retake the exam.
What are the required reading materials?
Risk Management Frameworks and Practices for Operational Risk Management and the ORM Case Studies & Standards.
What additional study resources are available for the ORM Certificate?
Please visit the PRMIA Resources page to learn more about additional ORM Certificate study resources.
How much study time do I need to prepare?
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 ORM Certificate exam allocate about four hours per week for three months.
What are the current offering dates?
The ORM exam is offered on all workdays except local government holidays. Please visit the Pearson Vue - PRMIA landing page to check the nearest test center’s availability.
Are any discounts available?
Discounts are available for companies or institutions that wish to enroll a group of 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.
How long is the exam?
The ORM exam is two hours long and consists of 60 multiple choice questions.
Do the exams have multiple choice and written answers?
Questions are all multiple choice. Exam questions are randomly drawn from the exam database, according to the syllabus order and weightings. There are no written answers.
In which languages can I take the ORM exam?
The ORM Exam is offered in the English language only.
How do I register?
You must enroll in the program to register for the exam. Spaces at the testing centers will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so you are encouraged to register as soon as possible.
What do I receive with registration?
The program fee will provide you with an authorization to take the exam and the digital version of the handbook. The exam authorization is valid for one year after purchase of the program fee. A retake exam must be purchased if the authorization expires before the exam is taken.
What information is shared with Pearson VUE?
In order to authorize you to take the ORM Examination, 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 the ORM 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.
Can I cancel or reschedule my exam?
In recognition of the busy and changing schedules of risk professionals, candidates may cancel and then reschedule their exam appointment without charge through the Pearson VUE system at www.pearsonvue.com/prmia. An exam can be rescheduled by
using the same authorization only if the exam is canceled at least one business day before the testing date, or the entire exam fee will be forfeited.
All authorized exams have an expiration date. Before rescheduling, candidates should ensure that their authorization is still valid for the date they want to reschedule. To view the exam expiration dates, candidates may log into their Pearson VUE account and view the details of the pre-approved exam.
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.
Are program fees refundable?
Because of the flexibility in rescheduling your exam, program fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
What is the expected passing grade?
Current passing grades are 60% on the exam.
Where can I take the exams?
The exams are offered by Pearson VUE at approximately 5,000 secure and convenient testing centers located in over 180+ countries and territories.
What kind of testing site security will there be?
Candidates will be required to present two forms of official identification when arriving at the test center. Furthermore, a digital signature using a signature pad and a digital photograph will be taken during the admissions process at the testing center. Candidates must sign-in and sign-out of the testing center. No papers may be brought into the examination room and all rooms are videotaped during testing and monitored by a proctor using a parabolic mirror. Scratch paper is provided at the site, but candidates must leave all papers in the testing room upon completion of the exam.
Can I bring a calculator, phone, or other device into the exam?
While a calculator is not required for the exam, an online scientific calculator, Texas Instrument TI30XS, is part of the test delivery system. No other materials may be brought into the exam room with you.
What is the designation that successful candidates are awarded?
Upon successfully completing the exam, candidates are awarded a Certificate in Operational Risk Management. This is not a professional designation and cannot be added to holder’s business cards.
Are there any exemptions granted toward the PRM Exams?
No. Completing the ORM Certificate will not yield any exemptions toward the ORM Designation.
Where do I find my exam results?
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 going to the 'PRMIA Certification Profile' tab in your 'PRMIA Profile.'
How and when do I receive my ORM Certificate?
Once you have successfully completed the exam, you will receive an additional email from Accredible, our certificate publisher, when you certificate is ready. The email you receive from Accredible will describe in detail how to print and share your certificate via LinkedIn or other social media.
What information is shared with Accredible?
Accredible is the provider of the PRMIA digital certificates. In order to provide the digital certificates within the PRMIA Public Directory of Certificate Holders, PRMIA sends the following details to Accredible. These details are taken from your exam records, as shown in your PRMIA Certification Profile tab in your PRMIA profile. The data are sent to Accredible only once the ORM Certificate is achieved and the status changes to "Holder."
- PRMIA unique identifier (an internal 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.