CCRO — the professional credential
Voluntary. Earned once, over about three years, by accumulating 60 education points across four domains. Awarded by CAMRO with the Institute of Local Government at Fairholm State University.
CCRO · CCRO-M · Chapter 44 recertification
Two certifications. Only one of them is optional.
Members mix these up constantly, and the consequences are not symmetrical. Missing the CCRO costs you a line on your résumé. Missing the annual state recertification costs your municipality its appointed records officer.
Chapter 44 — the annual state recertification
Mandatory. Every appointed municipal records officer must recertify each year with the Clearwater State Archives. It is a test, not a course, and it takes about ninety minutes.
In one sentence
The state says you may do the job. CAMRO says you are good at it.
Paying for it
Institute scholarships
Four each year, covering tuition and residential lodging. Priority to municipalities under 2,500, part-time posts, and clerks in their first three years. Applications close 15 February.
If your council will not fund training
The Halloran fund makes smaller hardship grants at any time of year, decided by the officers and treated in confidence. Ask the office.