RE Certification

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Spencer Smith
Spencer Smith ✭
Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Name Dropper Photogenic
in Blackbaud Raiser's Edge NXT®: General Discussion
Anyone else discouraged by the new RE Certification requirements? I had achieved the first level certification in 2013 and was waiting a couple years to take the next level. Last year, I checked the website many times over the course of the year and the test was never available. Finally, the new "revised" test appears in 2016 but requires one to take several classes as pre-requisites to the actual test. So, the cost of the test is much higher than the $300 our organization budgeted for it.


Now, it appears that Blackbaud is asking clients to share why the certification is valued at their organization or to someone individually. Yes, it is nice to have but not for the additional costs and added requirements. It seems that the certification has lost much of its appeal to me and has instead become more about making money.


Hopefully, BB will change my mind as I had placed a great deal of value on the certification.
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  • Melissa Rancour
    Melissa Rancour Blackbaud Employee
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 2 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hi Spencer, 


    We did revise the certification to more closely align with our training classes as users requested. However, you are not required to take any trainings before attempting the certification exams. If you are not comfortable in an area, then we do recommend training to help fill in any knowledge gaps and provide tips and tricks to make your jobs easier. 


    We created a blog post around common questions for certification that I hope you find helpful. 


    Please let me know if you have further questions, and I'm happy to answer them. 


    Thank you, 

    Melissa Rancour 
  • Spencer Smith
    Spencer Smith ✭
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Thanks for clarifying. This is helpful


    A couple more questions: I was certified at the Associates level in August 2013.

    1. It sounds like I can opt to have this level of certification forever but...

    2. What happens after August 2016 (since this is 3 years later), do I need to pass the Fundamentals test to then be eligible to take the Professional test along with all the badge requirements?

    3. What is the actual cost (today) to take the Professional test assuming badge tests are either paid indivually or as part of the subscription?


    Thanks for providing more information.
  • Melissa Rancour
    Melissa Rancour Blackbaud Employee
    Tenth Anniversary Facilitator 2 Name Dropper Photogenic
    Hi Spencer, 


    Good questions. You do not need to retake the Fundamentals exam in order to take the Badge exams. If you have a Learn More or Learn Everything subscription, the exams are included. The badges and exams are $100 each without the subscriptions. You can also earn points with the Blackbaud Champions program to pay for the exams. 


    Melissa 
  • Zane Magnuson 2
    Zane Magnuson 2 ✭
    Ninth Anniversary Facilitator 1 Photogenic

    Spencer Smith:

    Thanks for clarifying. This is helpful


    A couple more questions: I was certified at the Associates level in August 2013.

    1. It sounds like I can opt to have this level of certification forever but...

    2. What happens after August 2016 (since this is 3 years later), do I need to pass the Fundamentals test to then be eligible to take the Professional test along with all the badge requirements?

    3. What is the actual cost (today) to take the Professional test assuming badge tests are either paid indivually or as part of the subscription?


    Thanks for providing more information.

    Wait, could someone clarify point #1? I took the bCRE exam as well before it got restructured. Does that mean the bCRE from that earlier period no longer expires?

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