The Identity Management Institute (IMI) administers the Certified Identity Protection Advisor™ (CIPA) professional designation and uses certification standards established by IMI for training and examination. The CIPA identity theft management certification is designed to provide adequate identity protection training and test the identity theft management skills of professionals seeking the CIPA designation. Identity theft risk awareness and related controls are important for preventing, detecting and resolving identity fraud. The CIPA program will teach the candidates about the latest identity theft risks, solutions and consumer laws.
Professionals who work directly with the consumers to educate them about identity theft risks, teach them the best identity protection and theft detection practices, and help them solve their identity theft and fraud related challenges must consider becoming a CIPA. Such professionals who directly interact with the consumers for managing their identity theft risks include independent identity theft advisors and identity protection coaches as well as employees of various government agencies and companies who directly interact with consumers regarding their identity protection and identity theft challenges. Organizations in industries where millions of consumer records are collected, shared, accessed and retained, must be especially diligent in providing adequate training to their employees and encourage them to become CIPAs. Such high risk organizations and industries include consumer information services, financial institutions, insurance, healthcare and identity protection companies. In addition, other professionals such as attorneys, office organizers, law enforcement members, tax preparers and accountants who collect or manage the personal information of their customers may also benefit from this identity theft management training and certification by providing additional value to their clients and gaining their trust. Identity theft is an evolving and increasing threat to all individuals. Everyone is vulnerable to identity fraud and must proactively implement best practices in daily activities, and leverage the latest market solutions and laws to reduce their identity theft risks. The CIPA program will educate the candidates about the latest identity theft risks, best identity protection, detection and resolution practices, market solutions and identity theft laws. Therefore, consumer facing professionals as well as employees, agents and affiliates of consumer information services and identity protection companies and departments which help consumers prevent, detect or resolve identity theft, can increase their knowledge, advance their careers, and gain the trust of consumers by studying for and passing the CIPA examination.
Download the CIPA program overview.
The CIPA Critical Risk Domains (CRD) define the specific knowledge and experience areas for testing and certification. The CIPA Critical Risk Domains are:
1. Awareness
2. Rights & Obligations
3. Credit Cards
4. Computers and Internet
5. Home and Office
6. Travel
7. Finances
8. Passcodes
9. Classification and Organization
10. Detection and Resolution
Benefits
How to become a CIPA
Become an IMI member, apply to take the exam, study and pass the exam. Learn more about the exam.
Cost
The exam costs $100 for current members. If you are not yet a member of the Identity Management Institute, learn about how to become a member.
Certificate Maintenance
Certified professionals must obtain and submit 90 hours of continuing education every 3 years, adhere to the IMI ethics standards, and be active members.