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Why Become an AG® Professional

The International Commission for the Accredidation of Professional Genealogists, internationally recognized as ICAPGen℠, is a professional credentialing organization dedicated to testing an individual's competence in genealogical research. The organization is administered by a board of qualified Commissioners with many years of experience.

Things to know
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Step 1

Read the "ICAPGEN Guide to Applying for an Accredited Genealogist Credential"

This guide presents all of ICAPGen’s requirements and guidelines. Careful study and use of it will facilitate preparation of a successful Level 1 four-generation project and passing Level 2 and Level 3 exams.

Access Guide
Step 2

Testing Regions

Experience has shown that successful AG candidates have a high degree of familiarity in the use of records from the “Regional Resources” document for their chosen region. It is required that you review the regional resources for your chosen region. It is recommended that you have experience with a wide variety of record types from that list. The document can be found on the Testing Regions page by clicking on the name of your region.

Access Resources
Step 3

Access the Accreditation Readiness Assessment

The Accreditation Readiness Assessment is part of the Level 1 requirements. This assessment helps you evaluate your experience and skill level to determine if you are adequately prepared to begin the accreditation process. After taking the assessment you will receive your results via email. If you are lacking experience or skills in any of the areas on the assessment, please take time to gain more experience before beginning the accreditation process.

Access Readiness Assessment
Step 4

Level 1 Four-Generaton Project Self-Assessment

This self-assessment, based on the grading rubrics for the Level 1 Four-Generation Project, will help you determine if your project meets the extensive requirements before you submit it for grading. After taking the assessment you will receive your results via email. If your project is lacking in any area of the self-assessment, please take time to improve and polish your project before submitting it for grading.

Access Project Self-Assessment
Step 5

Pay Level 1 Fee | Complete "Contact Information Form"

Pay fees and fill out all of the information on the form. The “Contact Information Form” is part of fees form. To pay level 1 fee click on the link below. Do not pay Level 1 fee until the four-generation project is ready to submit. We practice blind rating. The “Contact Information Form” is used to gather information needed to process your fees and assign you an application number.

Pay Level 1 Fee
Step 6

Submit your Four-Generation Project

After fees are paid online and the “Contact Information Form” is processed, the testing committee secretary will email you instructions on how to submit your Four-Generation Project electronically. Allow 3-5 business days processing time for instructions to be emailed.

Study Groups

In order to better facilitate and help all individuals interested in becoming an Accredited Genealogist®, ICAPGen℠ offers study groups to help better prepare for accreditation. Click on the link below to learn more about the ICAPGen℠ Study Groups. 

Study Group Information

Dates

LEVEL 1 PROJECT SUBMISSION DEADLINES (Project Upload)
  • 11 January 2020
  • 9 May 2020
  • 12 September 2020
LEVEL 2 AND LEVEL 3 TESTING DATES (May not schedule until notified Level 1 passed.)
  • Written exams and all retakes: 10-11 January 2020
  • Written exams and all retakes: 8-9 May 2020
  • Written exams and all retakes: 11-12 September 2020
ORAL REVIEW (May not schedule until notified Level 2 and written tests of Level 3 passed.)
  • 14 December 2019
  • 11 January 2020
  • 9 May 2020
  • 13 September 2020

Facts you need to know

SCHEDULING FACTS:

  • Level 2 & Level 3 are given on a Friday night/Saturday daytime test schedule. The first part of Level 2 exams are given on Friday evening. The candidate returns on Saturday to complete their Level 2 exam and take their written portion of the Level 3 exam.
  •  Retakes are scheduled as needed during the Saturday testing day.
  • Those preferring to take Level 2 & Level 3 during different testing cycles may do so, but they need to take Level 2 one testing cycle and wait until the following test cycle to take Level 3.
  • Onsite Level 2 and Level 3 tests are scheduled on the first scheduled testing date after applicant receives passing score on Level 1.
  • Offsite testing has been suspended while we work out technical issues. We hope to have a solution by fall 2019. If you have already begun the accreditation process as an offsite tester, your 3-year time limit to apply for the next level will be extended accordingly.
  • Custom on-site testing available for special circumstances. (Email the testing secretary for permission at testing.secretary@icapgen.org before paying fees.)
  • Additional charges apply for custom onsite testing. See Fee Schedule for details.

RATING FACTS:

  • Our goal is to process ratings in a timely manner, however, rating each testing level is a multi-step process that relies on the volunteer efforts of busy AG professionals and their availablity.
  • Please allow up to 6 months to receive your test results for each level. We will notify you if it is going to take longer than six months.
  • Level 1 four-generation projects are blind rated by a minimum of three people.
  • Projects are first rated for items found in the Part A self-assessment form. Projects that do not pass Part A are not rated further.
  • If the project passes the Part A rating, two experts from the region of interest rate it for items found on the Part B self-assessment form. If one rater passes the project and the other doesn’t an additional rating is done.
  • Level 2 and Level 3 written tests are graded by a minimum of two graders. If one grader gives a passing grade and the other doesn’t tests are sent to an additional grader.
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