Re-Certification Process

Written by Janet Bonsall, Missouri Liaison

                     Hey, Certified Photographers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Are you PPA Certified but lamenting the process of becoming recertified?????????
There are now three options for recertification.

 

Option 1You may submit a recertification form showing you have earned 25 education units over the five year term of your certification.
 

Option 2:   You may submit a recertification form showing you have earned 10 education units over the 5 year term of your certification and submit 20 images which must pass the certification image review.
 

Option 3: Retake the certification exam

 

If you have been attending PPA conferences on the state or national level, re-certification is just a matter of letting PPA know which ones you attended Below is a list of the credit or units that are available for each kind of education.

 

5 units:   Attending a one week class at an affiliated school

2  units:   Attending National, State, or Regional conventions

1 unit:     Association sponsored Seminars or workshops

½ unit:    Any professionally related program that lasts 4-6 hours

¼ unit:    Any professionally related program that lasts 2-4 hours

 

So, stay in the ranks of certified Professional Photographers. If you need help in remembering a date of a PPA convention or seminar, call Janet Bonsall, certification liason, at 660-747-2704, evenings, or 660-543-4308 for the daytime office. She has those records.

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                                           Becoming Certified  

                                  WHY should I become certified?

                                “Stepping Stone to a Higher Level”

 

Consumers understand that the word “ certified” means “over and above”.

It tells the consumer that, as a Certified Professional Photographer, you have met certain criterion of  excellence and are therefore able to deliver at a higher quality than others who simply profess to be skilled. The title of Certified weighs you against other photographers giving integrity and prestige to those who obtained this qualification. Certification requires updating professional skills through mandatory image resubmission. This requirement insures consistent technical and aesthetic quality.
 

America’s Professional Photographers have worked with the National organization to qualify photographers.

Criterion:  You must be:
 

1.Professionally active in photography

2.Available for consumer assignments ..and,

3.Must be in the business (of earning money) in photography.

Steps:

1.Complete the application: call PPA headquarters, 800-339-5451,  #228

2.Take the certification exam!  The  next opportunity in Missouri is at HOA in April 2005.

3.Submit 20 images for evaluation. Images may be sent to PPA headquarters in Atlanta, before or after taking the exam.

4.Optional: Email me to tell me that you are planning to take the test and I will send  you a study guide for students that faculty at CMSU designed for the London and Upton Book. I make no guarantees for passing the exam but this might help to focus your studying.
 

Submitted by Janet Bonsall, Mo. Certification Liason, National Counselor
and Professor of Photography at Central Missouri State University

 

Some of the information in this article was obtained as a result of attending a presentation by Jerry Costanzo,

White Oak, Pa.  At the National PPA Convention in Atlantic City, 2002. Jerry is chairman of the certification committee.