15 Top Compliance Certifications To Have On Your Resume

Updated March 10, 2023

A compliance certification is a certification that proves someone understands and can perform a job in alignment with their profession's regulations. Employers look for these certifications when reviewing candidates because it can help them focus on potential employees who have the experience and skills to succeed. If you're interested in pursuing a career that requires certifications, you can look into what compliance certifications would improve your candidacy. In this article, we discuss the benefits of earning a compliance certification and provide a list of 16 compliance certifications that can improve your resume.

What are the benefits of earning compliance certifications?

There are multiple benefits to earning a compliance certification, including:

1. Grow your skills

You can learn more about a specific skill or legal requirement associated with your industry by earning a compliance certification. Being knowledgeable in your area of expertise can increase the quality of your work and raise your prestige within your industry. It can also help you gain a complete understanding of your work, which can help you feel more satisfied and confident. When you feel capable, you can take on more tasks and contribute meaningfully to your team. People with multiple certifications can be well-rounded employees and obtain job security because they're important to the project.

2. Create a more competitive candidacy

Earning more certifications can improve your candidacy because you can distinguish yourself from other potential candidates. Certifying your skills gives credibility to your knowledge and experience. Sometimes these certifications are necessary to perform a job legally and sometimes these certifications are additional benefits of having you as an employee. In these cases, you have skills that other candidates might not have, which can increase your likelihood of getting hired.

3. Improve your job outlook

Some jobs require compliance certifications, especially when you're looking to move up in your career field. Getting these certifications can help you gain access to new and higher-paying positions. With more jobs available to you, you may have a more successful career within your chosen industry.

15 compliance certifications to consider

Various industries rely on compliance certifications for credibility when hiring:

Business and finance compliance certifications

Some common compliance certifications in business and finance are:

1. Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist (CAMS)

The CAMS is a certification for people in financial organizations worldwide offered by the Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists (ACAMS). This certification shows an advanced understanding of anti-money laundering principles and is necessary for anti-money laundering offers. Regulators of financial institutes and governments use this certification when regulating their policies and operations to guard against money laundering. Someone well versed in the certification guarantees that the holder in risk assessment, business processes and financial solutions, and maintaining an ongoing study of anti-money laundering practices.

2. Project Management Professional (PMP)

PMP is a certification for project managers that shows they have met the educational and experience requirements set forth by the Project Management Institute, which issues this certification. The PMP shows that the certification holder is familiar with the practices of project management and has experience using the tools. To become a certified project manager, you can work for over two years, take the exam and renew every three years. Many companies don't require this certification to work as a project manager, but it may look impressive on your resume.

3. Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM)

A CRCM certification is a highly respected certification among the financial community because it's hard to get. The American Bankers' Association presents this certification to those with exemplary experience and expertise in compliance with U.S. federal economic laws and regulations. To be eligible, the compliance professional needs six years of experience in compliance in the last decade or has three years' experience or relevant experience and coursework taken at the ABA. If they're eligible, candidates can sign up for the 200 question exam that lasts four hours. Before completing the exam, they also have to sign a code of ethics statement.

4. International Accredited Business Accountant (IABA)

An IABA is an accountant who understands the theoretical and practical principles and has the experience to support their expertise. The Accreditation Council for Accountancy offers this certification to accountants. Accountants need at least three years of work experience or two years of college credit and one year of work experience to be eligible for this certification. If qualified, they can schedule a time to take the test. If they pass but don't have the experience, they can say they passed the test as an impressive item on their resume, but cannot claim the title of IABA certified.

5. Certified Community Bank Compliance Officer (CCBCO)

The CCBCO is a certification for business and financial community members who are interested in working in compliance with community banks. Independent Community Bankers of America is the organization that provides this certification. Developing this certification can help you learn to assess and manage risk for a community bank. Candidates can earn this certification by enrolling in the classes provided by ICBA and taking an exam.

Healthcare compliance certifications

Some common compliance certifications in healthcare are:

1. Certified Pharmacy Technician (CPhT)

A CPhT is a certification for pharmacy technicians that shows their knowledge of medication safety and patient care. The Pharmacy Technician Certification Board offers this certification. Many pharmacies prefer to hire candidates certified by the board because the certificate inspires trust. To get a CPhT, you can apply for the exam, which comprises 90 multiple-choice questions over two hours. Once you have your certification, you renew it every two years.

2. Healthcare Research Compliance Certification (CHRC)

Healthcare compliance professionals earn the CHRC, which the Health Care Compliance Association issues. This certification shows that the holder has a strong understanding of the healthcare compliance processes, including recent regulations and updates to compliance laws. Many holders of this certification have MBAs or JDs to assist in their knowledge of the law and how it relates to healthcare research. To earn this certification, applicants have one year of experience in healthcare compliance or relative hours worked in job duties. They also sign up to take the exam. This certification lasts for two years.

3. Certified Billing and Coding Specialist (CBCS)

A CBCS converts medical treatment information into codes to submit claims to insurance companies for reimbursement. The National Health Career Association awards these certifications to those who prove expertise in medical coding and ethics. To be eligible for the exam, healthcare professionals need a high school diploma or GED, a completed course in medical billing and coding or a similar experience. If qualified, they can sign up for the exam, which is two hours long. This certification expires every two years.

4. Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT)

RHITS are professionals in hospitals and other healthcare settings, managing health information and medical records, collecting data, and handling various administrative tasks. The American Health Information Management Association provides these certifications to technicians who ensure quality, computer literacy, and expertise in coding diagnoses and procedures in patient records. Candidates must have at least an associate's degree and pass the RHIT exam. The exam has 130 to 160 questions, and candidates have 3.5 hours to complete it. To pass, they need a score of 300.

5. Certified in Healthcare Compliance (CHC)

The CHC certification is a healthcare compliance certification that covers a manner of activities within the healthcare industry. The Compliance Certification Board provides this certification to members of the healthcare community who meet the criteria and pass the test. To be eligible, candidates can have at least one year of full-time experience in a healthcare compliance role and at least 20 continuing education credits from the CCB.

Information technology compliance certificates

Some common compliance certifications in information technology are:

1. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

The CISSP is an international certification for people who work in information technology on network security. Some IT companies require this certification for employment. This certification ensures that the holder has the professional and technical skills to manage a sophisticated security program. The International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium awards the certificate to people who take their CISSP exam. When you achieve 95% accuracy, you pass and the test ends without completing all the questions.

2. Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP)

A CIPP is a certification accredited by the American National Standards Institute to professionals who want to pursue careers, creating systems that enforce compliance with data privacy laws. It's an international certification under the institute's parent association, the International Association of Privacy Professionals. The security community highly respects this certification but doesn't have any prerequisites to sign up for the qualifying exam. The organization recommends at least 30 hours of study time before the test. The test itself has 90 questions and lasts for 150 minutes.

Construction, housing and general compliance certificates

Some common compliance certifications in construction, housing and general compliance are:

1. Certified Specialist of Occupancy (CSO-PH)

The CSO-PH certification is for people who work in public housing. It's certified by the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. The person possessing this certification is familiar with the laws and processes of assessing a potential candidate for public housing. They can interview people, calculate eligibility from various factors, and balance the applicants against the housing. This certification requires at least an associate's degree and two years of work experience. They also take a test to prove their knowledge. Once they pass the test, they're certified, but they must renew every three years.

2. OSHA Safety Certificate

The OSHA Safety Certificate is necessary to work on many construction sites. OSHA is the Occupational Safety Administration of the federal government, which sets health and safety regulations for the workforce by providing training. This training is what construction companies are looking for when they ask for OSHA certification. To be eligible to work on these sites with an OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification, you can attend a training session for 10 or 30 hours. These training courses provide information about avoiding common workplace hazards, workplace rights and how to file a complaint.

3. Certified Compliance and Ethics Professional (CCEP)

CCEP is a certification awarded by the Compliance Certification Board, a certifying body that provides tests in compliance and ethics to various industries and specialties. They offer the CCEP as a certification that can enhance the credibility of any compliance professional. To qualify, candidates have at least one year of full-time experience in a compliance role, and they also need at least 20 continuing education credits approved by the CCB. IF you're eligible, you can sign up for the exam with is 115 questions. An international version of this accreditation is the CCEP-I.

Please note that none of the companies mentioned in this article are affiliated with Indeed.