The CPMR curriculum provides participants with greater understanding and insight into operating a more effective firm. In all, it takes three years to complete the certification program. After completing the third year, graduates earn the right to use the distinctive CPMR designation and gain membership to the Institute for Professional Advancement (IPA), MRERF’s educational subsidiary. The current areas of study are:  

101

• Business Ethics
• Creating Shareholder Value
• Developing Winning Sales Presentations
• Thinking Strategically I
• Developing the Total Professional Rep Firm I
• Coaching, Mentoring & Managing Multiple Generations
• Understanding the Legal Concerns of Your Firm
• Techniques for Greater Sales Production

201

• Developing and Managing New Principal Relationships
• Interpersonal Communication Skills
• Human Resources for Rep Firms
• Win-Win Negotiations
• Thinking Strategically II
• Line Profitability Analysis
• Economic Perspectives for Reps
• Internal CompensationValuing the Firm

301

• Valuing the Firm
• Succession Planning
• Developing the Total Professional Rep Firm II
• Understanding Your Manufacturer
• Accounting and Tax Concerns
• Services Marketing
• Technology: Utilization and Benefits
• Capstone Case Study

Each year of CPMR builds on the previous year’s curriculum. To encourage continued professional growth and life-long learning, maintenance of certification criteria must be met in order to retain the CPMR designation. The criteria reflect requirements of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training and are consistent with standards recognized for all certified professionals including the fields of law, medicine and accounting.

Typical Daily Schedule
Sunday through Wednesday
Morning session: 8:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. with two 15 minute breaks
Lunch: 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon session: 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. with two 15 minute breaks
Evening: The evening is free time, however working with a study group and networking with peers is encouraged.

Thursday
Exam Day: 8:00 a.m. – Noon (average completion time is 2 ½ hours)

Maintenance of Certification requirements
Ten hours of relevant continuing education every year and an annual certification fee. For more details, click here.

Study groups and best practices groups
CPMR candidates are assigned to study groups with candidates from different industries. This cross-industry pollination allows for new perspectives and a wider scope of business experiences. These study groups often continue to meet far beyond CPMR graduation in the form of Best Practices Groups.  The broad network of contacts is of equal value to the educational material.

Video-CPMR: It's Worth the Investment