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Relocation professionals are aware that there are many pieces required to solve a transferee's puzzle. Each piece has a different shape and unique angle, which ultimately interlock to produce a smooth, secure, and successful move for the employee and their family.

Solving that puzzle is paramount. The CRP® exam helps. It is designed each year to keep Worldwide ERC® members in the know about important issues and recent changes that affect the industry. It focuses on corporate policy, tax issues, relocation appraisals, family issues, and the latest trends.

"The broad knowledge required for the CRP® allows you to see the whole picture and have a better shot at knowing where your piece goes," said Pete Wayman, SCRP, president, CitiCapital Relocation, Irving, TX, who sat for the first CRP® exam in 1990.

"You understand how your job impacts what happens before and after you in the relocation process. There are a lot of professionals that touch a transferee during the process, and knowing the entire procedure allows each person to do their job with a bit more empathy and understanding."

Worldwide ERC® members who have obtained the CRP® designation can address all aspects of a move with confidence. They are looked on by peers as experts in not only their field, but in relocation.

"The CRP® helps us stay current in the industry," said Dawn Conciatori, CRP, director, Prudential Real Estate and Relocation Services, Shelton, CT. "And more importantly, it allows us to learn about changes to the industry and how to deal with those changes proactively."

The CRP® program ensures learning and professional development through the process of studying for the exam, taking the test, and continuing education to maintain certification. The benefits of this wide base of knowledge become apparent when this knowledge is applied to the work environment. It is reflected in the performance of the CRP® holder, their company, and the relocation industry as a whole.

"It is the MBA of the relocation industry," said Beverly Berberich, SCRP, corporate relocation manager, SC Johnson-A Family Company, Racine, MI.

The Three-hour Challenge
Established in 1990, Worldwide ERC®'s Certified Relocation Professional (CRP®) program quickly became a symbol of professionalism in the relocation industry. The CRP® designation formally recognizes those who have mastered extensive knowledge on the principles and practices of relocation. It is earned by the passage of a three-hour, multiple-choice exam given each May.

Two related designations are awarded: Certified Relocation Professional (CRP®) and Senior Certified Relocation Professional (SCRP®). On successful completion of the exam, the CRP® and SCRP® designations are valid for a three-year period.

A major purpose of this program is the achievement of a common and universal understanding of the entire employee relocation field and recognition of those professionals who demonstrate mastery.

The Qualifying Round
There are two ways one may qualify to sit for the CRP® exam. The first is either to have attended a Worldwide ERC® meeting or have been a Worldwide ERC® member for two out of the past three calendar years. Participating in some form of Worldwide ERC® activity is important to qualify for the exam. The second method of qualifying is available to employees of Worldwide ERC® member companies. To qualify, a CRP® or SCRP® who works at the same company must sign a statement attesting that the candidate has two or more years of corporate relocation-related experience.

Although qualifying for the exam is straightforward, individual reasons for taking the exam are varied and more complex. Wayman said he decided to take the test because of his strong belief in professional designations.

"I had been aware that Worldwide ERC® was building a designation program. I was already a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) and understand the value of designations in an industry," said Wayman. "Each designation shows that I am a professional and that I am educated in the nuances of, and committed to the industry."

Berberich said receiving the CRP® was for career development. Berberich sat for the CRP® exam in 1990.

Conciatori said part of the reason for taking the exam is credibility.

"I manage a team of professionals and our job is to select, train, and manage the performance of the 2,800 real estate brokers in North America who deliver services for Prudential," said Conciatori. "My management team and I tell the brokers when they are meeting and/or exceeding expectations or not, and the CRP® designation helps identify the level of knowledge and expertise we have achieved and adds to our credibility in advising the brokers."

Brian Goodson, CRP, relocation assistance program analyst, U.S. Marine Corps, Quantico, VA, took the CRP® exam to understand the facets of corporate relocation that apply to military relocation.

"It helped develop some of the trends we were seeing in relocation, such as the need for more education in the optional homebuying needs of the military transferees," said Goodson. "It also allowed us to see what private industry is doing with spousal employment, which is a critical retention issue for the military."

One relocation coordinator who passed the CRP® exam in 1999 said the designation improves the chances of getting a better job and moving up in the industry. She said most jobs now require a CRP® in the job description, and companies urge employees to have a CRP®.

The Big Day
For each candidate, preparing for the CRP® exam begins with gathering materials and ordering any missing or new items from Worldwide ERC®. Each studied all the materials, focusing closely on areas with which he or she is not as familiar.

Wayman ordered his set of materials and studied with a group of people from his company who were scheduled to take the 1990 exam together. Berberich studied alone. Conciatori chose to take time away from her busy travel schedule and spent two or three intensive days focusing on the study materials.

"I went through the primer [Guide for Managing the Mobile Work Force] and the tapes during my lunch hour (with the door closed), focusing on tax and legal issues," said Berberich. "I really studied items that I felt I was weak on, such as appraisals."

One CRP® holder said, because her company's relocation program is in-house, she was able to study with a colleague.

Candidates are given three hours to complete the exam, which comprises approximately 110 multiple-choice questions with four optional responses. A total score of at least 70 percent correct is required to pass the CRP® exam.

After leaving the examination site, many test takers had little idea of how well they had done on the test. Scores of the exam are mailed to candidates four to six weeks after the date of the exam. Results are made public by Worldwide ERC® two weeks after the mailing of the scores.

"It was a robust test and I didn't know how well I did afterwards," said Goodson. One relocation manager agreed that it was a tough but fair test that probed the candidates' knowledge of all areas of relocation.

Said Berberich,"I remember walking out of the test site and being handed a glass of champagne. It was a big deal because for many of us it had been a long time since we'd taken a test of any kind. Now we were agreeing to be tested on something we administered daily-no one wanted to fail."

Company Recognition
Companies typically are pleased that employees have received their CRP®. Recognition is usually forthcoming.

"The company supported us by covering the exam costs and allowed study and travel time. They then congratulated everyone and made an announcement about who had received their CRP®," said Conciatori. "We had CRP® crowns and stickers on our doors. Our clients and associates within the company reacted very positively."

"When I got my CRP® designation, the executive vice president of my division and the head of human resources both made a point of stopping in my office to congratulate me," said Berberich.

Some companies, such as CitiCapital Relocation, have a reward system in place specifically for people who receive the CRP® designation.

"We essentially require all mobility consultants and relocation specialists to earn their CRP®, and we have put that requirement in the job descriptions," said Wayman. "The company provided all the materials and a training course to help pass the exam, and paid the cost of taking the exam.

"We had more than 60 people sit for the exam in May in San Antonio, TX. Before this year, 88 percent of our customer service staff were already CRP®s; but once the requirement was added to the job descriptions, we offered a bonus as a way to motivate the remaining few to become certified. Each employee that passes the exam receives a $500 bonus.

"This is our first year using the bonus program. The reason we offer the program is because we believe the preparation for the CRP® exam causes the relocation professional to learn a broad spectrum of information about the industry, not simply the piece that they handle. It is a win-win situation for everyone; they receive a designation they can be proud of and a bonus, and I am certain they are learning," said Wayman.

Industry and Client Recognition
From an industry point of view, the CRP® designation is a form of credibility. It signifies the broad base of knowledge of relocation necessary to pass the exam and relocation professionals recognize the need for the broad base of knowledge.

"The CRP® brings my education to the same level as my peers," said Conciatori. "Clients like to see the CRP® designation, especially ones that are CRP®s themselves. Our whole team has CRP® designations, and we know that we have achieved a certain level of expertise."

"People look for the CRP® after your name," said Berberich. "It signifies that we have made the commitment to learn about the many facets of the relocation industry. The service side of relocation has embraced the CRP® as a way to train their new employees. To be recognized as a leader, broad knowledge of the industry is important and this is one way to prove that. 'CRP' sends the message that you want to be a leader and contribute to the industry and Worldwide ERC®."

"The CRP® program added the knowledge necessary to offer a homesale assistance program on several bases. It provided confidence to those who are not as well-versed in real estate assistance," said Goodson. "CRP® gives our relocation counselors a breadth of knowledge outside of the traditional military levels of assistance."

Maintenance and Improvement
During the three years that a CRP® designation is valid, education must continue for the CRP® holder to be eligible for recertification. In addition to the continuing education, CRP™ designees must maintain a membership in good standing with Worldwide ERC® and pay a recertification renewal fee. The fee is paid at the end of the three years in order to renew for another three-year recertification period.

The continuing education required to maintain a CRP® designation must amount to 30 credits accumulated from attending Worldwide ERC® meeting programs, attending external organization meetings, and listening to Worldwide ERC® audiotapes. At least 10 of these credits must be obtained from a Worldwide ERC®-sponsored event or tape; the remaining 20 credits may be obtained from courses sponsored by external organizations. External organization meetings must be pre-approved by Worldwide ERC® before credit is given.

Berberich and Wayman said they have no trouble maintaining their certifications because of the desire to be involved in Worldwide ERC® and contribute to the industry as a whole.

"Some of the most enjoyable parts are the networking and the meetings, and being on the committees," said Conciatori.

Elevation to the SCRP® designation is based on attainment of Worldwide ERC®'s Distinguished Service Award.

The point accreditation system for achieving the award is based on participating in Worldwide ERC® meeting sessions, serving as a speaker or panelist, contributing to MOBILITY Magazine, and active membership on committees.

CRP® Still Going Strong
"It is amazing that after 11 years, Worldwide ERC® still has 600 and 700 people signing up to take the test annually," said Berberich.

"The CRP® is a worthy goal for anyone in the business of relocation," said Goodson. "In the Marine Corps, we encourage those that have been in relocation assistance for several years to take the CRP® because it helps increase their knowledge base."

"Being able to utilize the resources of Worldwide ERC® and give something back to the industry and Worldwide ERC® by being a CRP® is valuable," said Conciatori. "Our focus is on bringing the industry to the next level and making sure we are doing the right things in relocation."

Deborah Stadtler is staff writer for MOBILITY.