Roadmap to the CMRP

A Guide to Preparing for the Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional Exam

The Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional designation is the premier professional
certification in the maintenance and reliability field. It is recognized throughout the world as
evidence of superior understanding and capability. As such, it is pursued by large numbers of
individuals, with well over a thousand exams being taken annually. CMRP status is often required
in order to obtain employment or to advance in a career in the profession.

The CMRP program and exam are designed to gauge competence in a number of areas relevant to
maintenance and reliability. The body of knowledge upon which the program is based
comprehensively addresses and examines equipment reliability and maintenance (R & M) as well as
overall asset management, "people skills", and technical skills, as opposed to other programs that
deal strictly with the technical aspects of R & M.

Exams are developed to test candidates’ competency in terms of their knowledge, skills, and
experience in fields common to reliability engineering and maintenance management. The exams
are directed toward, but not limited to, individuals who make decisions to improve reliability and
maintenance using generally accepted principles of these fields. The SMRPCO certification exam’s
focus is on applied knowledge. The study of references alone is highly unlikely to ensure success
on the certification examination. Statistics from years of exam administration has shown a high
correlation between applied experience and success on the exam. Merely studying written materials
or attending training courses is unlikely to result in successful completion of the exam.

As a result, individuals have asked for some guidance that will help them prepare themselves for the
exam. This “roadmap” has been developed by existing, leading CMRPs to provide guidance as to
the experiences, education, career paths, work responsibilities, etc. that should provide the required
background to adequately prepare for the CMRP exam. As with physical roadmaps, there are many
different paths to the destination.

We welcome input from other certificants that can help expand this resource. Please submit
suggestions to smrpco@smrpco.org.
 SMRP Five Pillars

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Mechanical / Chemical / Industrial B.S. Engineering Degree X X X X X
Technical Education (2 Year Vocation) X X X
Vocational Training X X
Formal Education
Formal Education
B.S. Reliability Engineering X X X X X
Business Degree (B.A, MBA) X X

Military Career (Related Field) X X X X

Craft Training X X
CMRT Accreditation X X X
Education ‐       
Reliability Short courses (3-5 day length) X X X
Training
CAMA Certification (ISO 55000) X X X
University Reliability or Diploma / Certification (Multi Week) X X X X X

Maintenance and Reliability Conference X X X X

Conferences SMRP Conference X X X X X

Vendor Presentation X
On-Line Course X X X X X
  Education ‐      
On-Line Training (Multiple courses) X X X X X
Web based
SMRP Wetinar Series X X X X X

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Craft Supervisor X X X
Maintenance Engineer X X X X X
Reliability Engineer X X X X X
Technical Manager X X X
Career
Process Engineer X X X
Consultant (with
(with MBA) X X X
Maintenance Manager X X X

Maintenance Strategy by Anthony Kelly X

Toyota Way by Jeffery Liker X
Juran’s Quality Handbook by Joseph Juran X
Maintenance & Reliability Best Practices by Ramesh Gulatti X X
World Class Manufacturing by Richard Schonberger X
Books &         Gateway to World Class Maintenance by Anthony M. Smith X
Publications Making Common Sense Common Practice by Ron Moore X X X X
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey X
Successfully Implementing TPM by Edward Hartmann X
Computerized Maintenance Management Systems, T. Wireman X
Planning & Scheduling by Doc Palmer (first 3 chapters) X

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Reliability Improvement X X
Machine Redesign X X X
TPM Project X X
Parts Optimization X X
PM Creation / Optimization X
Storeroom Project
Storeroom Project X X
Projects
Lean Project X X X X
Six Sigma Project X X X X
Maintenance strategy deployment/ implementation X X X X
Root Cause Analysis X X
Business Case Development X X

SMRP Local Chapter X X X X

SMRP National Participation X X X X X
ASME Chapter Participation X X X X
Volunteer    Professional Society Participation X
Organizations Paper Presentation X X X X X
College Internship in Reliability Field X X X
Speaking at Conferences X X