Government Archives and Records Administration (GARA) Certificate Program

The GARA Certificate Program was created to recognize government officials' achievements in obtaining a knowledge base in Government Archives and Records Management. The certificate recognizes the completion of 40 Study Hours of approved archives and records management subjects, or “competencies,” within a 5-year period. The certificate does not expire.

About the GARA Program

Download the GARA Certificate Information PDF

Certificate Program Objectives

To enhance the professional development of government records caretakers so that they may better manage the records that document the activities of government and protect the legal rights of citizens.
To offer career development goals for participants in a subject area that is critical to their profession.
To foster professional networking among NAGARA and federal, state, regional, and county local government associations, and between individual records caretakers and their State Archives.

Is the GARA Certificate a Certification, like the CRM or CA?

The GARA Certificate does not result in a certification such as the CRM designation as established by the Institute of Certified Records Managers (ICRM) or the CA designation as established by the Academy of Certified Archivists (ACA). The GARA Certificate does recognize that an individual has obtained a base of knowledge to help them perform more effectively in certain workplace environments, and NAGARA encourages certificate recipients to build upon that foundation with continued personal and professional growth in government archives and records management subject areas. For more information, see ARMA International’s “What’s the Difference Between a Certificate Program and a Certification?”

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Comp 1: Program Establishment and Administration
(formerly Records and Information Management Basics)

Overview of RIM (value, purpose, function, records lifecycle, records management)
Overview of Information Governance
Performing a needs assessment
Strategic planning/setting RIM goals and objectives
Developing RIM program budgets
Hiring, supervision, and mentorship in archives/RIM
RIM-related policy development
RIM-related project management
Contracting, purchasing, outsourcing, and vendor management in Archives/RIM
RIM-related DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) topics

Qualifying NAGARA Events

A Record Locator Tool: The New Key to Records Transparency

Posted on 6/11/2024
(WEBINAR) - This webinar teaches attendees how to build a record locator tool, which offers a one-stop search for any record type and/or subject... (READ MORE)

Joint Expedition: Information Security and Records Management

Posted on 4/4/2024
(WEBINAR) - In this webinar, attendees explore a collaborative project at Washington State Dept. of Enterprise Services, merging Information Security and Records Management... (READ MORE)

Coaching to Success

Posted on 11/2/2023
(WEBINAR) - In this webinar presentation, panelists dive into the fascinating journey of establishing a Records Management Program in local government from the ground up. The presenters share their firsthand experience and... (READ MORE)

Saint Louis Zoo Case Study

Posted on 4/6/2023
(WEBINAR) - This webinar presentation discusses the key milestones that ultimately led to a successful proposal for the Saint Louis Zoo’s Animal Care Division to purchase an electronic document management system (EDMS)... (READ MORE)

Budgeting 101: Plugging the Financial Leaks in Your Records Management Toolbelt"

Posted on 2/24/2023

Six Essential Project Management Concepts for Information Managers

Posted on 2/24/2023

Text Messages as Records

Posted on 2/2/2023
(WEBINAR) - In this webinar, attendees learned of the considerations the City of Issaquah had to balance to achieve their policy objectives in guiding staff and elected officials to comply with use, preservation, and destruction... (READ MORE)

Communication Skills for Records Managers

Posted on 12/1/2022
(WEBINAR) - In this webinar, attendees learned how to improve their communication skills to gain executive buy-in, the importance of credibility, tips on being strategic and persuasive, asking good questions and... (READ MORE)