Hello Reader,

Whether you inherited mineral rights and felt like you were flying blind — unsure what you own, whether you're being paid correctly, or what questions to even ask — or if you an industry pro, this episode is for you. In this week's episode, we walk through the complete roadmap to mineral management mastery, starting with the foundation you need to get there.

That foundation begins with my Mineral Management Basics Course — the essential first step to building the vocabulary, knowledge, and practical skills that everything else in your mineral management journey depends on. From there, we walk through the National Association of Royalty Owners (NARO) Mineral Management Program, which is the only professional certification specifically designed for mineral and royalty owners, and one of the best-kept secrets in the mineral ownership world.

Key Takeaways: The NARO Mineral Management Certification Program

Once you have the foundation in place, the NARO Mineral Management Program is the most structured, rigorous way to take your knowledge to the next level — and to earn a credential that demonstrates you know what you're doing. Here are the key takeaways from this episode on how the program works.

🤫 The Mineral Management Program Is the Best Kept Secret in Minerals — But It Shouldn't Be

• NARO's Mineral Management Program offers the only professional designation in the mineral and royalty ownership space: the Registered Mineral Manager (RMM) and the Certified Mineral Manager (CMM).
• The program is open to anyone — not just professionals. Whether you just inherited minerals or have been managing royalties for years, there is a level in this program that is right for where you are in your journey.
• Education is central to NARO's mission, and this program is the most structured expression of that mission — combining self-study, formal coursework, and a proctored exam with a recognized credential you can use.

🧑‍🎓 The Registered Mineral Manager (RMM): Your First Formal Credential

• To earn the RMM, you must accumulate a minimum of 50 education credit hours — including at least one ethics credit — and pass a proctored exam. The registration fee is $100 and the exam fee is $100.
• Education credits can come from NARO webinars and conventions, my Mineral Management Basics Course (4-5 hours of credit upon completion), taking the NARO Mineral Management Review Course, relevant professional experience, and events from other industry organizations such as the AAPL and NADOA. Credits can be submitted retroactively for events attended up to five years before you register.
• The RMM teaches you how to actually apply the fundamentals — for example, how to calculate your decimal interest when you receive a division order so you can verify you're being paid correctly, rather than simply accepting whatever number the operator sends you.
• Even if you never pursue the formal certification, the NARO Mineral Management Review Course and Review Manual are an amazing resource.

🤓 The Certified Mineral Manager (CMM): The Pinnacle of Mineral Management Knowledge

• To sit for the CMM exam, you must have already earned your RMM and accumulated a minimum of 100 education credit hours — including one ethics credit.
• The CMM exam is offered only at the NARO National Convention, so if the CMM is your goal, attending nationals is not optional.
• The CMM curriculum goes considerably deeper than the RMM — covering complex scenarios such as calculating decimal interests for allocation wells in Texas with intricate unit boundaries and well paths, the kinds of situations that even experienced industry professionals sometimes get wrong.
• CMM holders include trust officers, attorneys, landmen, bank mineral managers, and family mineral managers who want to be equipped to handle anything.

📰 Recertification Keeps Your Knowledge Current — and That Matters

• Both the RMM and CMM require recertification every five years to ensure that certified owners stay current as the legal and regulatory landscape around mineral ownership continues to evolve.
• RMMs must accumulate 30 education credits per five-year cycle — about six hours per year — which is very manageable.
• CMMs must accumulate 60 education credits per five-year cycle — about 12 hours per year — which for anyone active in the space is easily accomplished through convention attendance and industry webinars.
• The mineral rights world is not static. In 2025 alone there were significant court decisions in Texas on produced water rights and on how nonparticipating royalty interests are calculated — the kinds of developments that can directly affect what mineral owners receive in royalties.

🏃‍♂️ This Is a Lifelong Journey, Not a Sprint

• The NARO Mineral Management Program is not just for industry professionals.
• You don't need to be pursuing a certification to benefit from attending the Review Course or purchasing the Review Manual. The Mineral Management Review Course is open to anyone, even those not enrolled in the program, and sitting in on it at a convention is a valuable use of your time whether or not you ever take the exam.
• The program also connects you with a community of both new owners and experienced professionals.

How to Get Started: Your Next Steps

Here is exactly what to do if you want to pursue the Mineral Management Program:

• Start by building your foundation with my Mineral Management Basics Course​
• ​Then join NARO — membership is required for the program, and you can use the promo code MRPODCAST to get $25 off your first year, bringing your introductory membership down to $50.
• From there, start attending NARO and other industry events. Once you are ready, register for the program by downloading the registration form at naro-us.org/the-mineral-management-program and submitting it with the $100 registration fee.
• To take the Review Course and sit for Exam 1 to earn your RMM, plan to attend one of the 2026 NARO state or national conventions.
• Again, if the CMM is your goal, mark your calendar for the 2026 NARO National Convention, November 4–7, 2026 at the Omni Frisco Hotel at The Star in Dallas, Texas — it is the only place you can sit for Exam 2.
• For questions, contact the Mineral Management Program registrar at registrar@naro-us.org or 918-794-1660.

Resources

• ​Mineral Management Basics Online Course​
• ​National Association of Royalty Owners (For a limited time, use coupon code “MRPODCAST” for $25 off an Introductory Membership. Good only for first-time members).
• Program Registration Form: Download Here​
• CMM Policies & Procedures (PDF): Download Here​
• ​2026 NARO Convention Dates​
• Mineral Management Program Registrar: registrar@naro-us.org / 918-794-1660

Thanks again for listening!

Matt Sands, Host of The Mineral Rights Podcast

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Disclaimer: This information and the accompanying episode should not be construed as legal, financial, or investment advice. For guidance specific to your situation, please consult with qualified legal and financial professionals.