Certification Questions and Answers
This certification questions and answers page, created by the Identity Management Institute, addresses frequently asked questions from our members and potential candidates about our organization and certification process.
About Identity Management Institute (IMI)
When was IMI founded?
The “idea” of IMI was conceived a long time ago, but the organization was officially founded and registered in 2007 in California, USA.
Where is IMI located?
IMI is a registered organization in Los Angeles, California, USA. Since IMI’s members and operations are global, there is no central physical location, and the staff are scattered across many countries working remotely.
What is IMI’s mission?
Identity Management Institute® is a forward-thinking organization that strives to provide solutions for the ever-evolving identity and access management challenges through training and certification in the most creative, effective, and efficient ways. Learn more here.
What are the main certification areas offered by IMI?
Identity Management Institute offers certification programs in identity and access management, data security and privacy, identity theft protection, workplace identity fraud prevention, and blockchain security. Visit the certification page for a complete list and details about each certification.
What are IMI’s operating hours?
Our normal business hours are Monday through Friday, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm Pacific Standard Time. We often respond to inquiries beyond our operating hours due to our global presence.
What is the best way to contact IMI?
The best way to contact us is by email: [email protected]. You can also visit our contact page to submit an inquiry form.
Does IMI have a blog?
IMI has one of the most progressive and dynamic blogs in the industry, featuring hundreds of searchable articles that cover every aspect of our field. Read the latest articles.
Does IMI have a newsletter?
IMI publishes periodic newsletters to thousands of subscribers, sharing updates, member feedback, and the latest topics. Subscribe here.
What are IMI’s social media channels?
Please follow our online channels to stay up to date with our progress:
Does IMI have online groups for networking?
Join our LinkedIn groups to participate in discussions and collaborate with others:
Identity Theft Discussion Group
Metaverse Security Discussion Group
What is the best way to receive IMI updates?
The best way to stay up to date is via the LinkedIn company page, but you could also follow us on X.
Enrollment Process
Do I need to be a member to apply for certification?
Yes, all certification candidates must be members of IMI to enroll in a course, take the examination, and maintain their certification. Membership is the basis for certification. There are no additional fees to maintain certification.
What are the benefits of membership?
The main benefit of membership is eligibility for certification. Members also have access to special content on the “Member Resources” page. Visit the membership page for details.
Do you post member details on the IMI website?
We currently do not post membership and certification details on the “Member Resources” page; however, this could change in the future.
How do I apply for membership?
Submit the membership application to receive a payment link.
What is the membership cost to join?
The initial annual membership fee is $95 for all new members.
Do you offer group membership and discounts?
Yes, we offer group discounts. Please email us about your group size and the certification of your choice to receive a single payment link for team enrollment.
Do you offer service provider membership?
Yes, service provider membership offers a great way to certify your employees and showcase your product solutions to our broad audience. Learn more.
Applying for Certification
How do I apply for certification?
Please submit your application for the certification of your choice. You can find the certification application link on the respective certificate webpage. If you are not a member, please also submit a membership application.
Can I apply for membership and certification simultaneously?
Yes, you can submit your membership and certification applications simultaneously to receive a single payment link.
Which certification is right for me?
Selecting a certification depends on your background, qualifications, and interests. Please visit the certification page to learn about each certification.
What is the certification cost?
Please visit the certification page, where a pricing table is located at the bottom.
What happens after I submit my applications?
After you submit your application, we will review and approve it, and then provide a payment link to finalize your enrollment. Typically, we approve applications and send the payment link within 2 days.
Do I need to submit a membership application to apply for certification if I’m a current member?
No, you just need to submit the certification application.
Study Materials
Do you provide a study guide to prepare for the exam?
For all courses that require an exam, we provide a comprehensive study guide.
What is the format of the study guide?
The study guides are password-protected PDF files.
How do I access the study guide?
Upon enrollment, we send an email with the study guide attached.
Do I need to purchase additional study materials?
No. For the most part, the study guides provide the necessary information to prepare for the exams. However, for advanced certification courses, candidates are expected to possess a more comprehensive understanding of IAM and cybersecurity concepts.
What is a good source of free education?
In addition to our study guides, which provide a wealth of knowledge, our blog offers hundreds of searchable articles on various topics.
Do you provide instructor-led training?
For groups interested in our certification courses, we organize instructor-led training sessions.
Payment Processing
When do I receive a payment request to join IMI and enroll in a certification course?
Upon receipt and approval of membership or certification applications, we send online payment links typically within 2 business days.
How does IMI process payments?
We utilize various online payment systems, including PayPal and Square, to facilitate online payments for invoices.
What are the payment options?
Upon receipt of the invoice link, candidates may pay online with a credit or debit card or request wire transfer information for bank deposits.
What happens after I make my payment?
Upon payment, we send an email confirmation and related information typically within 2 business days..
How do we pay and enroll a group of candidates?
For groups, we send a group invoice and generate a group enrollment code upon payment that group members can insert in the membership application for tracking and validation purposes.
Examination and Certification
How much study time should I allocate to prepare for a certification exam?
We allocate 40 CPE hours for reading the study guide and passing the exam.
How long do I have to schedule the exam after I enroll?
Members have up to one year to schedule the exam, provided their membership status remains active. Current members with less than one year of membership can renew their membership before it expires.
How can I schedule the exam?
Submit the exam registration form at least 5 days in advance to schedule.
What happens after I schedule my exam?
You will receive a confirmation email within one day, followed by the exam link and access code on the day of the exam, before 9 am local time for the candidate.
How long is the exam?
The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and has a 90-minute time limit.
What happens if I don’t complete the exam within 90 minutes?
The exam will be automatically submitted after 90 minutes.
Where can I take the exam?
The exam is online. Candidates need a device with Internet access to take the exam.
When can I take the exam?
The online exam can be scheduled for any day at least 5 days in advance. Any possible blackout days are listed on the exam registration form and must be avoided.
Is there a specific time slot to take the exam?
The exam will be available all day on your scheduled day. You can start the exam at any time during your scheduled day; however, once you begin, you must complete it within 90 minutes.
Is there a waiting period to schedule an exam?
Candidates must schedule the exam at least 5 days in advance.
How many questions are on each certification examination?
Each certification exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
What is the minimum score to pass the exam?
The minimum pass score is 70 out of 100.
Should I skip a question if I don’t know the answer?
No, the system will not allow it, and there is no penalty for guessing.
Is there a fee to retake the exam if I fail?
Candidates can schedule and/or reschedule their certification exam up to three times without incurring additional costs. Each time an exam is scheduled or rescheduled, it counts as one attempt. After you use all 3 exam attempts, each additional exam voucher is $100.
When will I know the exam results?
Exam results are known immediately upon exam submission; however, the formal award email with the certificate is sent within 2 days.
Why is my certificate expiration date less than one year?
The validity of your certificate is tied to your active membership. If your membership expires before a full year, the certificate expiration date will align with your membership end date.
What happens if I fail or miss the exam?
You can schedule to take the exam again. Up to 3 exams for your enrolled certification are allowed at no cost.
Do 3 exam attempts apply to any certification?
No. You can schedule up to 3 exams for your enrolled course.
Can I change my exam date?
Yes, you can submit a new exam registration form. However, each time you schedule a new date, it counts as one of the three exam attempts.
Is there identity verification and proctoring before and during the online exam?
When you start the online exam, the system will take your picture at the beginning, middle, and end.
You will need a device with Internet access and a camera to take the exam. No other software or equipment is needed.
Do I need to renew my certificate?
As long as you renew your annual membership to remain in active status and meet the CPE requirements, you will receive an updated certificate at no additional cost. This is one of the main membership benefits.
How can I communicate the validity of my certification with employers and others?
You may request a personalized certificate verification link through the IMI website, which you can share with employers and other interested parties.
Membership Renewal
Do I need to renew my membership annually?
Yes. More importantly, active membership is required to maintain certification.
Is there a separate fee for certification renewal?
No. Members enjoy free certification renewal.
Do I need to maintain continuing professional education?
Yes. 60 CPE hours are required every 3 years.
What is the annual renewal fee?
Please refer to our renewal page for the membership fees applicable to your certification level.
Are there multi-year renewal discounts?
Yes, we offer a 10% discount for multi-year renewals. Contact us to request a multi-year renewal link.
How can I renew my membership and certification?
You can renew on our membership renewal page or email us to receive a group renewal link.
Are there different levels of renewal?
Yes. Membership renewal is based on the number of certifications a member holds.
Do you send renewal reminders?
Yes, we send annual renewal reminders on a monthly basis. If your primary email address is deactivated, please notify us to update your primary email.
When does a certification become inactive?
A certification becomes inactive when membership expires, our code of ethics is violated, or CPE is not maintained.
How can I reactivate my inactive certification?
If your certificate is inactive because your membership has expired, please contact us to determine your eligibility for membership renewal, taking into account the time elapsed since your membership ended. Visit the membership renewal page for additional details
Are there late renewal fees?
Yes. There are late fees and penalties. Please refer to the membership renewal page for details.
We hope these questions and answers offer valuable information. Please submit any other questions that you would like us to add and answer on this list.
What is the member referral reward policy?
Active IMI members may extend their membership and certification expiration date by one additional year, free of charge, when they refer at least five new paying members within the same calendar year who enroll in any IMI certification program.
New applicants must include the referring member’s full name and email address in the “Referred By” field of the membership application to receive a $20 discount and ensure proper referral credit for the referring member.
To qualify for the free renewal, at least five paid referrals must be completed within one calendar year. Only one free renewal (one-year extension) may be awarded per member per calendar year.
