Beat the price increase by acting now!
There is still plenty of time to register, study and sit for the BCPO® examination before the holiday madness begins. You owe it to yourself, your business and your industry to have the professional credibility that certification provides.
Let us know how we can help you.
One suggestion for those living in proximity to Toronto, Canada is to attend the Professional Organizers in Canada conference November 6-9th, 2008. BCPO® President Audrey Lavine will be in attendance along with Margaret Miller, BCPO® Board Liaison from Professional Organizers in Canada.
They will be presenting "Studying for Certification, Studying for Your Future," the successful session last presented at the 2008 NAPO conference.
We have learned from each other and now we need to expand our horizons to isolate and focus on our best practices, and create a common language that becomes the industry standard. The session will focus on study for BCPO® Certification, and elements of the continuing education required for recertification, invaluable for the continued growth of any organizing professional.
Following is the link for more information on their session and the Toronto Conference.
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
We've got good news, bad news and great news to share with you!
The Bad News — Due to escalating administrative costs, there will be a slight increase in the registration fee for the certification exam. Effective January 1, 2009, if you are a member of AAPO, NAPO, NSGCD or POC, the discounted examination fee will be $375. If you are not a member of one of these Professional Organizers Associations, the standard examination fee will be $550.00.
The Good News — To lessen the impact of the price increase, we are providing more time for you to register at the old price. Effective immediately, worldwide computer based testing sites will be available for those interested in sitting the exam during the two month period of October and November, 2008.
The Great News — Eligibility requirements have been updated! We know that many of you are eagerly preparing to become Certified Professional Organizers, waiting until you have accumulated sufficient qualifying hours to register for the exam. THE WAIT MAY BE OVER SOONER THAN YOU THINK! You may already qualify.
Now that the examination is available throughout the year, the three-year period for meeting the eligibility requirements has been adjusted.
| Sit for the exam in the month of: | 3 year period for meeting eligibility criteria is: |
| October 2008 | 10/1/2005 to 9/30/2008 |
| November 2008 | 11/1/2005 to 10/30/2008 |
| February 2009 | 2/1/2006 to 1/31/2009 |
| June 2009 | 6/1/2006 to 5/31/2009 |
| October 2009 | 10/1/2006 to 9/30/2009 |
How do these date changes affect eligibility to register?
Under the previous eligibility system, anyone writing the exam in 2008 must have accumulated eligible hours in 2007, 2006 and 2005. That meant that none of the hours accumulated in 2008 could be applied until 2009. Now all of those 2008 hours apply in time to still sit for the exam in 2008!
So grab your calendar and add your 2008 hours to the list you've been keeping. Chances are that you will qualify to register for the exam in October or November before the price goes up!
Karen Sencich — Editor
You can arrange a date and time that best suits your schedule, to sit for the examination at the CBT testing location closest to you. For additional details, instructions, applications and online registration, visit www.certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org.
The Board of Certification for Professional
Organizers
(800) 556-0484 • info@certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org www.certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org