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The mission of The NRWA, a nonprofit
trade association for professional resume
writers, is to increase the visibility of the
industry, encourage ethical practices,
promote excellence, and raise industry
standards through peer mentoring
and training.

Join the NRWA

The NRWA Certification Program

For the Credential of Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW)

NCRW Logo

Perfection is our goal.
Excellence will be tolerated.


Don't Wait Another Year! Seize this opportunity to enhance your career and promote your credibility as a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW).

Are You a Candidate for the Nationally Certified Resume Writer Certification?

Professionals from many backgrounds earn this credential:

  • Independent resume writers
  • Career coaches
  • College placement office counselors
  • Military transition staff
  • Outplacement staff

Establish Your Credibility in the Industry

Become a Nationally Certified Resume Writer and take charge of your career.

Preparing for and passing the NCRW certification exam associates you with The NRWA’s standards of resume excellence, which reflect sales-focused, relevant, succinct career search documents that are quality oriented and visually appealing.

We Make Preparing Easy!

To make preparing for the exam as easy as possible, you can download and study the NCRW Certification Study Guide from the Members’ Portal of this Web site to complement your previous resume training. This comprehensive Study Guide:

  1. Presents strong resume writing concepts and strategies that will assist you in honing your skills as a resume writer.
  2. Is comprehensive and covers various aspects of resume writing, cover letter composition, proofreading, and electronic resume preparation.
  3. Includes a checklist, to help you proof your work and understand the concepts presented in the NCRW Certification Study Guide.

The education earned in studying for this exam is, in itself, a valuable asset to your career.

How Do You Earn the NCRW Credential?

Joining The NRWA is your first step. Attaining 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) is the next step. You can get them by reading books, attending resume writing conferences, and so on. Click here for a list of approved CEUs. After you have the 10 CEUs you may submit a sample resume and cover letter to the Certification Commission for review. If your work is in compliance with the NCRW Certification Study Guide you may take the two-part exam. The first part is based on English grammar. The second part requires you to develop a resume and cover letter based on a profile provided to you. Professionals who are considering beginning the certification process are strongly encouraged to have a minimum of two years’ experience in resume writing.

How Do You Maintain the NCRW Designation?

Once you have achieved the NCRW status, your designation is valid for three years. To retain your certification, you must maintain continuous membership in The NRWA and earn at least 15 CEUs between three-year renewals.

The NRWA's certification standards were developed by the Certification Commission, a group with more than 90 years of combined experience in resume writing. The exam process is comprehensive and covers various aspects of resume writing, cover letter composition, proofreading, and electronic resume preparation.