The Investor Relations Foundations™ certificate program is designed to cover the core competencies and skills of the most foundational domains of investor relations, ensuring a robust knowledge base and competencies for professionals who are in their early to middle IR career journey. This standalone program is intended for a wide range of professionals within the investor relations profession; IR professionals, counselors, service providers, finance, communications, and other professionals.
For IR corporate professionals and IR consultants, this certificate enables you to divide your IRC journey into two parts. Newer practitioners are able to cultivate new professional skills and creative confidence, while also acquiring the tools, visibility and network necessary to become a force in the broader IR community.
Service providers, though not eligible to earn the IRC, can earn the IR Foundations Certificate. This demonstrates the commitment to the IR profession, to customers, and to colleagues.
If you have been thinking about ways to make a greater impact at your company, showcase your skills, and increase your earnings, the certificate programs can make a huge difference in advancing your IR career and your organization’s success.
Upon successful completion of the IR Foundations exam, you will receive an e-certificate and digital badge to designate your accomplishment.
Examination Format
The IR Foundations exam will take two hours to complete and consists of 110 multiple choice questions. It is administered in a computer-based format with live remote proctoring online and on demand.
The passing score for the IR Foundations exam is 80/110 scored questions. This program is U.S.-based, and exams are administered in English.
IR Foundations Exam Blueprint
| Domain Name |
% of Content |
# of Items |
| D1. Strategy Formulation |
24% |
26 |
| D2. Corporate Messaging Development |
24% |
26 |
| D3. Investor Marketing & Outreach |
20% |
22 |
| D4. Planning, Implementation & Measurement |
16% |
18 |
| D5. Corporate Financial Reporting |
16% |
18 |
| |
100% |
110 |
Examination Fees
- Member Fee: $650 / Non-member Fee: $725
- Exam Retake Fee: $250
- Transfer/Rescheduling Fee: $125
- Refund Administrative Fee: $200
|
How to Earn the IRC Certification
To earn the Investor Relations Charter (IRC)® , IR corporate professionals and IR counselors must successfully complete both the IR Foundations and the IR Advanced certificate programs within a two-year time frame, and meet the IRC work experience requirements reflecting at least seven of the eleven domains of practice as listed in the IR Competency Framework. Refer to the IR Credentialing Handbook for additional information or contact certification@niri.org.
Resources
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"The IR Foundations and IR Advanced certificate programs fulfill two important goals –
to continue elevating the standards of our profession and to meet the evolving needs
of practitioners in the IR field who are eager to demonstrate their expertise."
David Erickson
NIRI Fellow
Chair, Certification Council
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