For the individual:• Professional recognition, battling the fallacy that I&R people “just” answer phones.• Increase in skills, knowledge and confidence. • Provides a transferable qualification. Many job postings state a preference for AIRS

certified applicants and therefore there is more opportunity and mobility of I&R staff.• Increase in pay may be given to certified staff by some agencies.

For the agency:• Assists funders and stakeholders to appreciate the professionalism required in I&R

and may help with funding. • Builds staff confidence having been validated by an external body. • Increase in staff understanding of their role and the skills needed.• Develops agency quality assurance and service consistency.

For the public & human services sector:• Enhanced organizational quality assurance improves

service standards and reliability between different I&Rs. • Improves customer service.

AIRS Certification is the professional credentialing program for individuals working within the

I&R sector of human services

AIRS CERTIFICATIONALLIANCE OF INFORMATION & REFERRAL SYSTEMS

Contact:www.airs.org/certification

certification@airs.org

The AIRS Certification Program awards professional credentials internationally based on established standards for the field of information and referral. The program identifies specific competencies and related performance criteria, which describe the knowledge, skills, attitudes and work-related behaviors needed by I&R practitioners to successfully execute their duties.

AIRS offers the following certifications:• Certified Information and Referral Specialist (CIRS)• Certified Information and Referral Specialist - Aging (CIRS-A)• Certified Resource Specialist (CRS)

Wha

t

The AIRS Certification Program, operating in accordance with national credentialing practices, measures and recognizes competence in the I&R profession, improving the

professionalism of the field and the quality of service provided to the public.

Why AIRS Certification benefits you, your

organization, and the communities you serve

There are separate Canadian examinations available for both CIRS and CRS in partnership with InformCanada.

Certification recognizes the candidate’s work experience and incorporates documentation of professional performance in the candidate’s work setting as well as any training received. It does not depend solely on academic accomplishment.

Examinations are based on recommended study materials including the most current versions of the ABC’s of I&R, the AIRS Standards for Professional Information and Referral, and those found in the AIRS Online Training portal together with actual I&R experience. All exam questions have been written and reviewed by experts on the subject matter and are not designed to trick you. The best advice is to go with your instincts and choose the answer that is the most correct in most situations.

The cost of a basic certification application is:

US $90 for AIRS members (Discounts may apply. $72 for Premium members) $250 for non-members

Canada - $80 for AIRS/InformCanada members $250 for non-members

Fees for exam retakes and recertifications are listed on the website.

The AIRS Certification Program uses the resources of both professional AIRS staff and specialized psychometric consultants in addition to the volunteer contribution of experiencedinformation and referral professionals representing the various facets, specializations and diversities of the sector.

There is only a Pass or Fail result. If you pass, you will receive a certificate and lapel pin from AIRS to recognize your achievement, and you may use CIRS, CIRS-A, or CRS after your name.

Certification is valid for 2 years from the time you take the examination. You must apply for recertification and submit documentation that you have completed at least 10 hours of I&R training over that 2 year period, but you do not need to retake the exam. Your 10 hours of training may include online training, conference workshops, in-house training, CEUs, etc.

Who can become AIRS Certified?:

Candidates may apply to take the certification examination once they are eligible. Eligibility is based on I&R and equivalent experience combined with educational background. I&R practitioners are eligible for initial certification only for the jobs they actually perform and/or directly supervise and must be currently engaged in CIRS, CIRS-A, or CRS work.

How

Who

To take the exam you require:

• At least 1 year of I&R employment for applicants with a Bachelors degree or higher.

• 2 years I&R employment with an Associates/Community College degree.• 3 years of employment in I&R for applicants with a High School diploma or GED.• 5 years of I&R employment with no educational qualifications.

Acceptable equivalent I&R experience involves frontline work in the field of human services that includes an I&R element such as positions in social work, discharge planning, consumer credit counseling, community health nursing, independent living skills instruction and school counseling; or employment in a homeless or domestic abuse shelter, food pantry, group home or other similar settings.

A certification candidate does not have to be an individual member of AIRS or an employee of a member organization. However, AIRS members can apply for reduced rates as a benefit of membership.

For information or to get started go to www.airs.org/certification.

Apply using the Certification/Recertification Application Form available on the airs.org website. This form must be submitted to AIRS, along with payment and supporting documentation, at least 30 days prior to taking the exam. Proctored certification exams are offered year round at sites across North America and also at the AIRS Annual Training Conference. Please refer to the website for a complete list of test dates and locations to find one near you. For a small additional fee ($25), exams can also be taken at work or at home via computer with webcam.