Is CMRP Certification Worth It? Everything Pros Need to Know

What separates a good maintenance technician from a great one? It’s not just a bigger toolbox. It’s the strategic mindset you learn to develop with a Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP) certification.

Consider this common scenario. You’re walking the floor, and you see it: the same bearing housing on the same pump, all gummed up with grease again. It’s the third time this quarter. The quick fix is easy — clean it, re-grease it and log the work. But the fix won’t last. A technician without a deeper understanding might just assume it’s “one of those things” or that the new guy is over-greasing it.

But a professional with a CMRP certification will see beyond a dirty bearing. They see a system failure. Their certification didn’t teach them how to grease a bearing, but it did teach them to ask a different set of questions. Is the grease gun calibrated correctly? Is the pump running too hot? Instead of just solving the symptom, they use their knowledge to identify the root cause. By opting to use a new grease type or lubrication procedure, they prevent the problem from ever happening again. Not only do they save their company money, but they prove their strategic value in the process.

Intrigued? Read this guide to learn what the CMRP certification exam involves, including its structure, the key topics it covers and tips to help you prepare effectively. But first…

What Is the CMRP Certification?

In 1992, maintenance professionals from nearly 20 different companies created the SMRP to promote maintenance and reliability standards in their field and in the community at large. Nearly a decade after forming, members created the CMRP certification, first administered at the organization’s annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in 2000. The certification ‎has since been accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board (ANAB), establishing it as the globally recognized standard. SMRP has grown into a vast community with 7,000 members in more than 60 countries. Of those, 5,000 are CMRP-certified professionals.

Today, SMRP is known for three core certifications: 

• Certified Maintenance and Reliability Professional (CMRP): The CMRP covers the knowledge, skills and abilities of professionals working in maintenance, reliability and asset management. 
• Certified Maintenance and Reliability Technician (CMRT): This exam is for hands-on maintenance technicians with a focus on asset maintenance and troubleshooting skills.
• Certified Asset Management Assessor (CAMA): This certification is geared toward professionals working with auditing and assessing asset management systems, particularly those aligned with ISO 55001.

The Business Case for the CMRP: A Competitive Edge

With a CMRP certification, you tell your employer that you’re not just doing the job, you’re an expert who understands the principles behind effective maintenance and reliability. It’s like a master’s degree in staying ahead of problems, improving efficiency and maximizing uptime, and it can be a career catalyst. Here are some key ways it can be beneficial:

• Globally recognized validation: A CMRP exam is a unique credential to have. It is accredited by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI), a third-party organization that evaluates certification programs and organization requirements under the ISO/IEC 17024 standard. This credential shows that the professional who holds it abides by the international standard and makes them indispensable to employers worldwide. 
• Increased hireability: According to SMRP, 55 percent of maintenance management and reliability professionals stated they would be more likely to hire a professional with a CMRP certification. Those who have the certification saw their salaries increase by 8 percent as a result.
• Leadership development: A CMRP certification shows a dedication to continuous learning and allows for growth into leadership roles by building credibility and strengthening decision-making skills.
• Access to resources and professional networking opportunities: Obtaining a CMRP certification gives those who hold it access to a vast network of industry experts, where they can share knowledge and connect with peers as well as collaborate on industry challenges. 
• Improved metrics and cost savings (for organizations who hire someone with CMRP certification): According to the SMRP, 72 percent of members and certificants have saved organizations at least $50,000 over the past year. About 37 percent of businesses saw an estimated savings of more than $1 million. 

5 Pillars of the CMRP Exam: What to Expect 

Knowing the following five components (or pillars) is critical for CMRP exam preparation:

• Business & Management: This pillar focuses on creating and aligning maintenance and reliability goals that support a business’s overall objectives. Applicants need to show that they understand how to develop plans, manage budgets and use data to support their decisions.
• Manufacturing Process Reliability: This component is focused on how the production process should work. Applicants are quizzed on the flow of manufacturing and how maintenance plays a role in keeping everything running smoothly. It’s about identifying where things could go wrong in the process and putting systems in place to reduce downtime. Equipment reliability affects safety — the more reliable the asset, the lower the number of incident or failure rates.
• Equipment Reliability: Examinees should expect questions about preventive maintenance, condition monitoring and failure modes. They’ll need to know how to collect and analyze equipment data to make concrete, reliability-centered decisions.
• Organization & Leadership: This part of the exam covers leadership, communication and building a culture of reliability. Test-takers will be tested on how to lead teams, develop maintenance training programs and encourage continuous improvement.
• Work Management: This area zeroes in on planning, scheduling and executing maintenance work. Examinees will be tested on backlog management, prioritizing tasks and optimizing labor and resources.

How to Prepare for the CMRP Exam 

 The following tips will help applicants prepare for and pass the CMRP exam: 

• Purchase a practice exam: You can buy a practice test for the CMRP and/or the CMRT with a 30-day or 60-day SMRP subscription. Members pay $146.70 for a 30-day subscription or $176.40 for a 60-day subscription. Non-members can also buy a practice exam — the 30-day subscription is $163, and the 60-day subscription is $196.
• Read the study guides provided by SMRP: SMRP’s online library contains downloadable documents you’ll need to study for the exam. These include the “SMRP Body of Knowledge,” information on best practices, product presentations and resources from past conferences. All materials are free to members, with varying costs for non-members.
• Attend an SMRP workshop or webinar: Every year, SMRP offers live webinars through its Professional Development Webinar Program as well as more than 140 on-demand webinars available through the SMRP Library. All webinars go through a rigorous evaluation and peer review process to ensure alignment with the organization’s mission. All SMRP webinars are free to members. Non-members can purchase a webinar for a fee. 
• Other resources: 
  • Global Forum on Maintenance and Asset Management (GFMAM) 
  • Institute of Asset Management Competences Framework 
• Recommended books: 
  • “Maintenance and Reliability Best Practices” by Ramesh Gulati 
  • “The Rules of Thumb for Maintenance and Reliability Engineers” by Ricky Smith and Keith Mobley 

FAQs About the CMRP Exam 

1. How much does it cost?

The CRMP exam fee varies depending on membership status: 

• SMRP members: $300​
• Non-members: $470​
• Sustaining Sponsor employees and military veterans: $250

2. How do I apply?

To apply for the CMRP exam:​

1. Visit the SMRP website and navigate to the certification section.​ Register on the website if you haven’t already done so. 
2. Complete the online application form.​
3. Submit the required payment online or via a digital wallet.

You must not have taken the exam within six months of applying. After application approval, you’ll receive instructions on how to schedule your exam.

3. What is the exam format and how long does it take?

The CMRP exam consists of 110 multiple-choice questions. Applicants are allotted 2.5 hours to complete the exam.

4. ​Where do I take the test?

SMRP partners with Pearson VUE to administer the CMRP exam. You can schedule your testing date at a Pearson VUE testing center convenient to you. You’ll be provided with instructions on how to select a location and time that fits your schedule. ​

5. When will I get my results?

Exam results are immediately revealed upon completion of the computer-based test at a Pearson VUE center. You’ll receive a preliminary pass/fail notification, with official confirmation following within two to three weeks of taking the test. You’ll receive an email from The Award Group with directives on how to review and receive your personalized certificate online.

6. How long is the certification valid for?

The CMRP certification is valid for three years. To maintain your certification, you’ll need to meet recertification requirements, which include continuing education and professional development activities, before the end of each three-year cycle or retake and pass another CMRP exam.