Certification
The Certification Program is a professional credentialing program for individuals in the Information & Referral (I&R) Sector of Human Services.
Download Certification Brochure
Download Certification Candidate Handbook
Community Resource Specialist (CRS) This is designed for practitioners who work directly with clients whether on the phone or in person and provide mediated information and referral.
Community Resource Specialist - Aging/Disabilities (CRS- A/D) This is designed for practitioners who work directly with clients and caregivers within the aging and/or disabilities area and perform the same basic range of skills and tasks as a comprehensive information and referral specialist.
Community Resource Specialist - Database Curator (CRS - DC) This is designed for practitioners who maintain databases of resources for the communities they serve.
Apply for CRS-DC Certification
Eligibility is based on Information and Referral and equivalent experience combined with educational background. I&R practitioners are eligible for certification for the jobs they actually perform and/or directly supervise (i.e. you can only take the examination if you are currently engaged in either CRS, CRS - A/D or CRS - DC work).
To take the exam, you require:
Apply for Certification
The new I&R Fundamentals Certificate is part of a pilot program designed to equip individuals with essential knowledge and practical skills for a career in Community Resource Navigation. This nine-module course covers core principles, ethics, and the community resource navigation process. This course is open to anyone interested, no prior experience is required.
This program fast-tracks eligibility for those without a bachelor’s degree by providing an alternative path to meet the educational requirement.
Completion of the course earns a certificate and digital badge. After 12 months of related community resource work experience, candidates are eligible to sit for the Community Resource Specialist (CRS), CRS-A/D, or CRS-DC exam, regardless of education level. One free exam retake is included if needed.
If you are Canadian, there is a separate Canadian cost structure and application process detailed within the package provided by InformCanada.
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