I frequently receive e-mail from readers asking for advice about how to become a professional genealogist. In "Along Those Lines . . ." this week, I want to introduce you to two excellent bodies in the United States who will help you obtain the credentials that will assure potential clients that you really are an expert and can help them break through their brick walls.

The Board for Certification of Genealogists
The Board for Certification of Genealogists, also known as BCG, is an independent organization involved with certification of qualified individuals in the field of genealogy. It is an internationally recognized certification body. It is not a membership organization. The board defines its mission as follows: "To foster public confidence in genealogy as a respected branch of history by promoting an attainable, uniform standard of competence and ethics among genealogical practitioners, and by publicly recognizing persons who meet that standard."

BCG has published the BCG Genealogical Standards Manual, which details the requirements for certification in any one of five categories and the process involved. The categories are as follows:
— Certified Genealogical Records Specialist (CGRS)
— Certified Lineage Specialist (CLS)
— Certified Genealogist (CG)
— Certified Genealogical Lecturer (CGL)
— Certified Genealogical Instructor (CGI)

Each of these titles is a registered Service Mark (SM) of BCG, which you may use in your resume after successfully completing the certification process.

Certification involves preparing a portfolio of materials, which is independently reviewed by a panel of three or four judges. BCG requires different materials for each certification category. If three judges recommend certification, you will be certified for a five-year period. You can perpetuate your certification by preparing a renewal application at five-year intervals and demonstrating that you have kept up-to-date with your skills, expanded your knowledge of current materials, and updated your research methods to keep pace with developments and standards in the genealogical community. You can learn all about BCG, its certification program, its publications, the sponsorships and co-sponsorships, the BCG Education Fund, and view the directory of currently certified individuals at: www.bcgertification.org/

The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists
The International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists, also known as ICAPGen (SM), is a professional credentialing organization, involved in testing an individual's competence in genealogical research. Originally established in 1964 by the Family History Department of The Church of Latter-day Saints, the program was transferred to ICAPGen in 2000. At the time of the transfer, ICAPGen was affiliated with the Utah Genealogical Society (UGA).

Each applicant for the ICAPGen Accredited Genealogist (AG) credential must demonstrate through extensive written and oral testing, and through production of high quality, well-researched documentation, that he or she is an expert in a particular geographical or subject area. The current areas of geographical testing are the United States, the British Isles, Scandinavia, Canada, Continental Europe, Latin America, and the Pacific Area. There currently are two subject areas for which testing is administered, and these include American Indians and the records of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

You can learn all about ICAPGen and its accreditation program at its website.

Are You Ready to Begin?
The requirements set forth by both of these respected organizations may seem intimidating. However, they are intended to insure that a would-be professional is prepared to perform scholarly research using a full range of possible evidentiary records, resulting in a well-written and well-documented report for the client who may engage the professional's services. Both BCG and ICAPGen take their responsibilities very seriously and, as a result, you can be assured that the persons who successfully emerge with the credentials are knowledgeable and professional.

I encourage you, whatever your level of experience and current area of expertise, to read the information at both the BCG and ICAPGen websites and learn more about them. If you are ready to begin the application process, don't put it off any longer. Get started.

And if you're not yet ready to begin, a review of the organizations' materials will help you develop your skills and methodologies in order to prepare yourself for the program of your choice in the future. Set your sights high and strive for excellence!

Happy Hunting!
George