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Nationally Certified Resume Writer Certification

Unparalleled Excellence in Resume Writing

Becoming a Nationally Certified Resume Writer (NCRW) 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. 

While not a prerequisite, in our experience those with the greatest chance of NCRW exam success have had at least 2 years of experience writing resumes and cover letters as either a new business owner, or as a staff member of a college career, workforce investment or military transition center.

To earn your certification as an NCRW, you must be a member in good standing with the NRWA and complete the Certification Process. 

NCRW Certification Pricing

$175 NRWA Membership

$75 Writing Sample Review

$250 Exam Registration

Additional costs include costs for continuing education credits and potential exam retake fees.

The NCRW Certification Process

Step 1: CE Units (CEU)

NCRW candidates must report 10 in-house Continuing Education Units (CEU) that the candidate has earned within three years prior to taking the NCRW Exam. CEUs can be earned from a variety of sources including presentations, conferences and workshops, coursework, and more.

Click here for the NCRW CEU information page.

NCRW status is valid for three years. To maintain status, NCRWs must maintain continuous membership in the NRWA and earn at least 15 CEUs between three-year renewals.

Step 2: Sample Review

The sample submission is to help gauge where you are with your current skills and if you need to prepare more to successfully pass the test. You will receive feedback from an NCRW commission grader that will help you prepare for the test or to submit another sample, if needed. You must receive a "Ready" recommendation from the grader to proceed to the NCRW Exam (Step 3).

Step 3: Exam

After completing steps 1 and 2, NCRW candidates may register for the NCRW examination. In the exam, candidates will be provided a fictitious client profile and asked to write a resume and cover letter based solely on the information in the client profile provided.

Further questions about the NCRW Certification Process? Check out our FAQs!

Congratulations to our newest NCRW:

  • John House, NCOPE, NCRW 
  • Tanya King Floyd, NCOPE, NCRW 
  • Paul Wagoner, NCOPE, NCRW 
  • Courtenay Davis, NCRW, NCOPE 
  • Josh Newton, NCRW

Certification Commission

Kathy Keshemberg (Chair)
Vacant (Incoming Chair)
Sally McIntosh (Past Chair)

Grading Panel
Nelly Grinfeld
Kimberly Isaacs
Rebecca McCarthy
Cheryl Minnick
Rachel Morse

Advisors
Pat Kendall (Program originator)
Michelle Dumas
Kimberly Isaacs

Click here to download The NCRW Study Guide

Please contact 
adminmanager@thenrwa.org with any questions.

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