Tuesday, February 17, 2009

How Does One Become Certified?

Does anyone know how to become a certified genealogist in the United States, or has been through the certification process? I am thinking of becoming a certified genealogist, and I am trying to figure out how to get certified. I found the Board for Certification of Genealogists website, but is this the only site that certifies genealogists? Does anyone know how it costs to obtain certification? Any advice or suggestions are welcomed. Thanks.

3 comments:

PalmsRV said...

Hi Jessica,

Here's an article that might help:
http://www.genealogy.com/20_hnkly.html

Cathy

BDM said...

Jessica,

That is a good question to post on the list maintained by the Association of Professional Genealogists, APG-L@rootsweb.com. You don't have to be an APG member to subscribe (but we'd really like it if you did join :-). Many certified genealogists are on the list and help with questions like this. In fact, the list has archived threads on this very topic. Rootsweb also has the Transitional-Genealogists-Forum list for those aspiring to certification or accreditation.

Brenda Joyce Jerome said...

Jessica, I have been a certified genealogist since 1997. The BCG website should become your good friend if you plan to apply for certification. The application fee is $220 and there is a $45 annual maintenance fee. I, too, recommend that you subscribe to the APG mailing list and the Transitional Genealogists Forum list. Even if you decide not to seek certification, you can learn a lot by reading the posted messages on the mailing lists. One other thing that should be helpful. Buy a copy of the Standards Manual (available from the BCG website). Very helpful. Good luck.