Once you thoroughly understand and routinely apply genealogy standards to your work, you will be ready to consider applying for certification.
Detailed information about assembling a portfolio may be found in The BCG Application Guide. The guide describes the work applicants must submit: treatment of one document, a research report, case study, and kinship-determination project. The Guide also provides information about application procedures. The 2021 edition (revised) of this free publication is the most recent edition available.
All applications are evaluated for their adherence to genealogical standards for documenting, research, and writing. See Genealogy Standards for details of the standards.
All applications are evaluated using standards-based rubrics. To see the rubrics used to evaluate new research-category applications, click here. (To see the rubrics used to evaluate renewal research-category applications, click here.)
The first step in the application process is to submit a preliminary application, available here. As noted on the form, your application will be subject to the Guide in effect at the time.
For information on the 2024 Pilot Program, click here.
The Guide also provides detailed information about renewal applications, as well as about applications and renewals for the Certified Genealogist Lecturer (CGL) credential.
Fees for applications are as follows (all prices in US$):
Preliminary Application Fee: $80
Final Application Fee: $300
Renewal Application Fee, every 5 years: $300
Annual Maintenance Fee (includes OnBoard, the BCG newsletter): $80
The fee for a one-year extension of the deadline of a preliminary application is $80. Applicants may request as many extensions as they wish, one year at a time. At each extension, the application guide and final application fee in effect at that time must be used.