What's the best way for a genealogist to get their professional certification?

If you mean professional credentialing in genealogy, there are two major paths in the U.S.: Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and ICAPGen. They certify different things, so the best route depends on the kind of work you want to do.

1. The BCG Certified Genealogist® credential

The Certified Genealogist® (CG®) credential from Board for Certification of Genealogists is probably the route to investigate first if you want a broadly applicable professional credential.

BCG evaluates an applicant's actual work, rather than simply testing coursework. The current research portfolio includes:

• Document work
• A research report prepared for another person
• A case study involving conflicting, indirect, or negative evidence
• A kinship-determination project
• Development activities and an ethics commitment

The work is evaluated against formal genealogical standards and the Genealogical Proof Standard. Certification must be renewed every five years.BCG Certification+1

bcgcertification.org

A good preparation strategy: don't rush to submit the portfolio. Spend substantial time learning source analysis, citation, evidence correlation, research planning, and proof writing; then create practice projects and compare your work against BCG's published rubrics.

2. The ICAPGen Accredited Genealogist® credential

International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists offers the Accredited Genealogist® (AG®) credential, which is particularly useful if you want to establish expertise in a specific geographic region.

The process involves:

• Selecting an accreditation region.
• Completing a four-generation research project.
• Taking written examinations.
• Completing an oral review.

ICAPGen recommends at least 1,000 hours of research experience and education, including at least 500 hours in your chosen region, before testing. The Four Generation Project specifically evaluates research planning, evidence analysis, conclusions, and client-oriented reporting.ICAPGen+1

icapgen.org

Which should you pursue?

Rather than one being universally "better," consider what you want your credential to demonstrate:

For someone starting from scratch, I'd generally structure the journey like this:

Learn → practice → specialize → get feedback → build professional-quality work → apply.

Don't view a genealogy certificate from a university or institute as equivalent to professional certification. BCG explicitly distinguishes educational certificates—which demonstrate completion of coursework—from professional certification, which evaluates demonstrated competence.BCG Certification

If you tell me your current genealogy experience, the geographic areas you research, and whether you want to do genealogy professionally for paying clients, I can lay out a realistic 1–3 year certification roadmap, including training, books/courses, portfolio preparation, and approximate costs.

If you mean professional credentialing in the U.S., the two main nationally recognized paths are Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). The National Genealogical Society identifies these as the two organizations that credential professional genealogists.National Genealogical Society

The most practical path

For most genealogists who want a broadly applicable professional credential, I'd structure the process like this:

1. Build a strong research foundation. Become comfortable with source analysis, evidence correlation, citation, research planning, and the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS). BCG's GPS consists of reasonably exhaustive research, complete and accurate citations, analysis/correlation, resolution of conflicting evidence, and a sound written conclusion.Board for Certification of Genealogists
2. Get substantial hands-on research experience. Don't rush into certification immediately. Produce research reports, proof arguments, client-style work, and case studies. Ideally, have experienced genealogists critique your work.
3. Take advanced education strategically. Institutes and programs such as ProGen, GRIP, SLIG, IGHR, and Gen-Fed can be particularly useful. BCG specifically notes that applicants who undertake intensive education such as institutes or ProGen have had higher success rates, although none is mandatory.Board for Certification of Genealogists+1
4. Study the certification requirements before creating your portfolio. This is crucial. Don't simply accumulate certificates and assume you're ready. BCG evaluates your actual genealogical work, not merely your coursework.Board for Certification of Genealogists
5. Apply to BCG if you want the Certified Genealogist® (CG) credential. Under the current 2025 guide, the research portfolio includes a Genealogist's Code, development activities, document work, a research report prepared for another person, a case study involving conflicting/indirect/negative evidence, and a kinship-determination project. The application is now a two-part portfolio process.Board for Certification of Genealogists+1
6. Alternatively, consider ICAPGen if regional specialization is central to your work. ICAPGen's Accredited Genealogist® (AG®) credential is organized around geographical regions and evaluates both regional knowledge and practical research ability. Its process includes testing and an oral review.ICAPGen

BCG vs. ICAPGen

BCG's current fees are $80 for the preliminary application, $200 for each of the two portfolio parts, $80 annually for maintenance, and $300 for renewal every five years. Board for Certification of Genealogists ICAPGen likewise requires renewal every five years, including continuing research/education participation and other requirements.ICAPGen

One important distinction: a genealogy course certificate isn't the same thing as professional certification. For example, NGS explicitly says completion of its advanced-skills course does not make someone a certified genealogist; formal credentials come through organizations such as BCG or ICAPGen.National Genealogical Society

If you're starting from scratch, I'd spend roughly 1–3 years developing research skills and a portfolio before applying rather than treating certification as a short course. The credential is ultimately evidence that you can consistently produce professional-quality genealogical work.

If you tell me your current experience level (beginner/intermediate/advanced), your main geographic specialties, and whether you want to do client research professionally, I can lay out a concrete 12-, 18-, or 24-month certification roadmap.

For a genealogist, getting professional certification means moving past casual family history into rigorous, standard-based practice . In the United States and internationally, two primary organizations award the top-tier credentials: the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) (which awards the Certified Genealogist/CG credential) and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) (which awards the Accredited Genealogist/AG credential).bcgcertification.org+2

The "best" way to get certified isn't a single shortcut—it is a structured, multi-phase progression of skill-building, preparation, and evaluation.

Step 1: Master the Baseline Standards and Ethics

Before touching an application, you must immerse yourself in the accepted rules of proof, evidence, and citation.bcgcertification.org

• Study the Genealogy Standards published by BCG and adopt the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS).
• Read the BCG Application Guide or download the ICAPGen Guide to Applying to understand precisely what evaluators look for.
• Build your daily habits around ethical research, thorough source citations, and clear correlation of conflicting evidence.familytreewebinars.com+3

Step 2: Build Your Network and Skills via Education

Most successful candidates do not work in a vacuum; they refine their craft through formal institutes and peer support.bcgcertification.org

• Attend multi-week immersive programs like the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG) , or the GRIP Genealogy Institute.
• Join or form online/in-person study groups specifically tailored toward portfolio or testing preparation.bcgcertification.org

Step 3: Choose Your Path (BCG vs. ICAPGen)

Evaluate which credential aligns best with your strengths:

• The BCG Path (Certified Genealogist - CG): Focuses on a comprehensive portfolio submission. BCG utilizes a multi-part evaluation process involving document analysis, research reports, case studies, and a major Kinship Determination Project.familytreewebinars.com+2
• The ICAPGen Path (Accredited Genealogist - AG): Focuses heavily on a specific geographic or cultural regional specialization (e.g., specific U.S. regions, Ireland, Scandinavia). It requires a four-generation research project followed by rigorous proctored written and practical exams testing paleography, local history, record types, and a timed research simulation.icapgen.org+2

Step 4: Submit and Persevere Through Evaluation

• Prepare your materials meticulously—eliminating assumptions, double-checking citations, and ensuring original analysis.
• Submit your portfolio or sit for your exams, keeping in mind that independent panels of certified peers grade these submissions with extreme strictness. Feedback (if deferred) should be used constructively to polish weak spots for a subsequent attempt.familysearch.org+2

Are you leaning toward a geographic specialization (which fits ICAPGen well) or a general portfolio/kinship approach (which fits BCG)? Let me know, and I can help you find the right study groups or institutes to target.

In the United States and much of the professional genealogical community, there isn't just one single path, but rather two major, highly respected professional credentialing bodies . The "best" way depends entirely on whether your strengths lie in comprehensive methodology/writing or deep regional record expertise.legacytree.com+2

Both organizations require renewals every five years and enforce strict codes of ethics, but their testing and application mechanics are quite different:icapgen.blog+1

Path 1: The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)

• Credential earned: Certified Genealogist (CG)bcgcertification.org+1
• Best for: Researchers who excel at comprehensive research methodology, complex kinship determination, and exhaustive report-writing.bcgcertification.org+1
• The Process:
  1. Review the educational guidelines and standards found in the Board for Certification of Genealogists portal.
  2. Prepare a portfolio demonstrating client-ready work. This includes a self-evaluation, a multi-generation lineage research report, a detailed proof argument/case study, and document transcripts/abstracts.
  3. Submit your portfolio to be evaluated anonymously and independently by a peer-review committee of certified peers.icapgen.blog+1
• Focus: Adherence to the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) across broad types of record collections and generalized problem-solving.icapgen.blog+1

Path 2: International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen)

• Credential earned: Accredited Genealogist (AG)legacytree.com+1
• Best for: Researchers who possess encyclopedic knowledge of a specific geographic region (e.g., specific U.S. states/regions, Germany, Scandinavia, British Isles) and its unique record groups.legacytree.com+1
• The Process:
  1. Access the application overview via the ICAPGen Become Accredited guide.
  2. Complete a multi-level testing process that includes a written application, a 4-hour proctored general knowledge/methodology exam, a multi-part regional examination, and a practical research project focused entirely on your chosen geographic specialty.icapgen.org+2

General Tips to Prepare Successfully

• Master the Standards: No matter which path you choose, make sure you thoroughly study Genealogy Standards (published by BCG), as both boards judge work based on industry-accepted baselines of citation and analysis.bcgcertification.org+1
• Join a Study Group: Many candidates join peer-led or formal study groups (often coordinated through organizations like the Association of Professional Genealogists ) to critique draft research reports before final submission.
• Build a Portfolio First: Do not rush the application. Spend months (or years) ensuring your everyday research reports meet absolute professional standards before paying submission fees.

Are you leaning toward a geographic specialty (which fits ICAPGen well) or a general methodology/writing portfolio (which fits BCG)? If you share your area of focus, I can help point you toward specific study resources.

Earning a professional credential in genealogy establishes your competence, adheres you to ethical standards, and builds instant credibility with clients, legal firms, and peers. In North America, the two primary and most respected gold-standard bodies are the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) (which awards the Certified Genealogist or CG credential) and the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen) (which awards the Accredited Genealogist or AG credential).bcgcertification.org+2

Comparison of Major Certification Bodies

Step-by-Step Roadmap to Success

1. Master the Foundations and Ethics
   • Thoroughly study the Genealogy Standards manual and the respective organization's code of ethics.
   • Ensure absolute fluency in the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS) —resolving conflicting evidence, conducting exhaustive research, and crafting complete source citations.familytreewebinars.com+1
2. Join a Study Group or Mentorship Program
   • Working in isolation makes passing difficult. Participate in structured peer groups (such as BCGála or regional ICAPGen mentoring groups) where experienced mentors review drafts of your research logs, source citations, and proof arguments.
3. Prepare Your Portfolio or Prerequisite Project
   • For BCG: Compile your multi-phase portfolio, ensuring your Kinship Determination Project (KDP) demonstrates comprehensive multi-generation analysis.
   • For ICAPGen: Select your target regional specialty and meticulously construct your Four-Generation Project portfolio to mirror professional output.familysearch.org+2

Advice from the Community

If you're ready to map out your plan, tell me:

• Do you lean more toward a broad methodological focus (BCG) or a specific regional specialty (ICAPGen)?
• What is your current comfort level with advanced source citation and proof arguments?

I can help you find recommended study guides or peer groups to join.

If you mean professional credentialing in the U.S., the best-known routes are the Certified Genealogist® (CG®) credential from the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG) and the Accredited Genealogist® (AG®) credential from International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen). There is no government license required to work as a genealogist.ICAPGen℠

Which one is best?

For a broadly recognized professional credential, I'd lean toward BCG's CG credential. It is designed around demonstrating competence through a portfolio of actual genealogical work.

ICAPGen's AG is especially attractive if you want to specialize geographically. You choose an accreditation region and demonstrate substantial expertise in its records, history, geography, methodology, and language.IcapGen+1

A practical path is:

1. Build substantial research experience. Don't rush into credentialing before you're comfortable with original records, indirect evidence, conflicting evidence, source analysis, and negative searches.
2. Get serious genealogical education. Institutes, conferences, university/certificate programs, and self-directed study can all help. Formal academic training isn't necessarily required for ICAPGen.IcapGen
3. Choose a specialization. For ICAPGen, for example, you need a geographic region and significant experience researching it.
4. Start keeping professional-quality research logs and citations now. This is one of the biggest differences between casual family-history research and professional genealogy.
5. Practice producing client-ready reports. Your ability to explain why a conclusion is justified is at least as important as finding records.
6. Then enter the credentialing process.

For ICAPGen specifically, applicants normally need at least 1,000 hours of combined genealogical research and education, with more than 500 hours expected in the chosen region. The process then includes a four-generation project and written/oral testing.IcapGen+1

The four-generation project is substantial: it requires connecting four generations, analyzing evidence, documenting sources, maintaining a research log, and presenting the results as though to a client.IcapGen

My recommendation

If you're starting from scratch, I'd spend the first year or two building skills and a portfolio rather than immediately pursuing a credential. Once you have a strong research specialty, decide between:

• CG → strongest fit if you want to demonstrate general professional genealogical competence.
• AG → excellent if you want to market yourself as an expert in a particular geographic region.
• Both → potentially worthwhile later if genealogy becomes a serious long-term profession.

If you tell me your current level (beginner/intermediate/experienced), the geographic areas you research, and whether you want to do genealogy as a business, I can lay out a step-by-step 1–3 year certification plan, including education, estimated costs, and what to work on first.

If you're starting from scratch, I'd spend the first year or two building skills and a portfolio rather than immediately pursuing a credential. Once you have a strong research specialty, decide between:

Getting a professional genealogy credential requires proving high standards of research, analysis, and adherence to ethical guidelines. In the English-speaking professional world, there are two primary, widely recognized certifying bodies. The "best" way depends on whether you prefer a portfolio-based peer evaluation or a combination of testing and regional specialization.bcgcertification.org+3

The two main paths and the strategic steps to successfully complete them include:

Option 1: The Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG)

This path awards the Certified Genealogist (CG) credential (along with optional credentials like Certified Genetic Genealogist or Genealogical Lecturer). BCG evaluates your competency via a portfolio of practical work.bcgcertification.org+2

1. Review the Standards: Thoroughly study Genealogy Standards and the BCG application resources. Everything you submit must strictly adhere to the Genealogical Proof Standard (GPS).familytreewebinars.com+2
2. Submit a Preliminary Application: Apply through the Board for Certification of Genealogists to start your active "clock".bcgcertification.org+2
3. Complete Part One (Development & Kinship): Submit the first segment of the structured two-part portfolio, which covers professional development activities, document transcription/analysis exercises, and a Kinship Determination Project.bcgcertification.org+2
4. Complete Part Two (Reports & Case Studies): Upon passing Part One, submit a comprehensive client-style research report and a complex case study demonstrating the resolution of a difficult genealogical problem through exhaustive research and sound correlation.bcgcertification.org+2

Option 2: International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen)

This path awards the Accredited Genealogist (AG) credential and emphasizes regional expertise and timed testing.familysearch.org+2

1. Select a Region/Specialty: Choose a geographic region or specific record collection focus for your accreditation.icapgen.org+2
2. Submit the Four-Generation Project: Prepare and submit a rigorous portfolio proving original research, analytical skill, and professional reporting on a four-generation family line from your chosen region.familysearch.org+1
3. Pass the Multi-Part Written Exams: Complete rigorous testing covering paleography (handwriting analysis), document translation/interpretation, research planning, and deep regional historical/record knowledge.familysearch.org+1

Best Practices for Success on Either Path

• Join a Study Group: Do not try to do it alone. Peer study groups specifically organized for BCG or ICAPGen candidates offer invaluable line-by-line critique of source citations and proof arguments.
• Master the Craft First: Ensure you routinely practice writing proof summaries and handling conflicting or indirect evidence before formally starting your application clock.familytreewebinars.com+1

Are you leaning toward a specific geographic region or specialized skill set (like genetic genealogy ), and do you prefer comprehensive portfolios over proctored exams ? I can help you choose which organization fits your background best.

If you mean professional certification in the U.S., the strongest general-purpose route is usually the Certified Genealogist® (CG®) credential through the Board for Certification of Genealogists (BCG).

The two main professional credentials

• Certified Genealogist® (CG® — BCG): Best choice if you want to demonstrate broad professional competence in genealogical research, analysis, and reporting. You apply by submitting a portfolio that demonstrates your ability to meet genealogy standards. The process begins with a preliminary application and culminates in evaluation of the portfolio.BCG Certification
• Accredited Genealogist® (AG® — ICAPGen): Particularly attractive if you want to specialize geographically. You choose a region and demonstrate substantial regional expertise through a four-generation project, written examinations, and an oral review. ICAPGen recommends at least 1,000 hours of combined research experience and education, including at least 500 hours in your chosen region, before applying.ICAPG+1

My recommendation

For someone starting toward a professional career, I'd generally work toward the CG credential first, unless you already have deep expertise in a particular geographic region. The CG process forces you to develop the skills clients and other genealogists care about: sound research methodology, source analysis, proof arguments, written conclusions, and professional standards.

A practical path is:

1. Build your research foundation — records, repositories, source citations, evidence analysis, research planning, and the Genealogy Standards.
2. Get substantial hands-on experience with difficult research problems rather than only researching your own family.
3. Study successful professional work and obtain feedback from experienced genealogists.
4. Start assembling work suitable for a BCG portfolio. Don't wait until you're ready to apply; deliberately create projects that exercise the required skills.
5. Apply to BCG and complete the portfolio. The current BCG process requires a preliminary application followed by a final application and portfolio evaluation.BCG Certification
6. Maintain the credential and continue professional development after certification.

bcgcertification.org

If your goal is to become a paid professional genealogist, rather than simply earn a credential, I can also lay out a 12–24 month roadmap to becoming a certified genealogist, including what courses to take, books to study, how to practice, and approximately what the certification process will cost.