Claim your certification badge!
As a nonprofit professional, there are numerous benefits to getting Blackbaud Certified, like joining a group of professionals who are experts in The Raiser’s Edge and achieving credentials recognized as the industry standard. You can also use your Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser’s Edge (bCRE) to validate your credentials, build your resume, and advance your career.
If you have completed any of the three levels of bCRE:
- The Fundamentals level of bCRE, recognized as bCRE
- The Professional level of bCRE, recognized as bCRE-Pro
- The Master level of bCRE, recognized as bCRE-Ma
The badge will appear under your profile picture when you post in the community.
If you are interested in learning more about earing your Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser’s Edge (bCRE), go here.
Once you've claimed your badge, feel free to show it off by posting a little note about what you learned during your certification process on this thread. And if you have questions about earning your bCRE, this conversation thread is a great place to start asking.
Comments
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I passed it when it was the Associate level exam. What is the difference between that and the Fundamental exam? Fundamental doesn't sound as good as Associate.4
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Just claimed it, awesome!0
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When we initially developed the Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser's Edge program we designed three levels each testing progressively more complex functionality. The Associate exam was designed to encourage learning and usage of the important underlying records like Constituents, Gifts and Actions that are critical for the other product functionality to work effectively. The exam was a deep dive into these records as well as some additional foundational information that was useful for any user role. In January 2015, our team completely overhauled and rewrote our entire Raiser's Edge curriculum with a Fundamentals series and prescriptive learning paths. In order to more closely align the bCRE program with our new curriculum, we reorganized the questions and published the Fundamentals exam. The Fundamentals exam is a more broad overview of the standard Raiser's Edge functionality that is foundational for all roles but does not dive as deeply into any area. We are in the process of reorganizing and republishing the Professional and Master exams as well. In order to avoid confusion of where to start the Blackbaud Certification path, we retired the Associate exam but still acknowledge those who have passed it.1
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So if my Associate certification "expires" in June, 2016, what test would I take to re-certify? I would think that the Fundamentals would be easier than the Associate since you say that the Fundamentals is a broad overview that doesn't dive as deeply as the Associate exam did. But I can't take the Professional level since it's not yet available, so what should I do?
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Professional became available in January 2016, but it's structured differently with 4-5 Badges earned with classes/exams before you're able to take the full Professional Level exam.
And (I believe) certifications no longer expire, so your Associates will still be good. It's not official, but I've seen folks use bCRE-A for Associates.2 -
I remember too hearing that the certification doesn't expire - I think that I heard that at bbcon? I'd like to take the professional exam now, but I don't want to have to pay for a lot of badge exams - or take more than one exam. I think that you should still have the option to just take the one exam. It seems like Blackbaud has made this certification process too cumbersome.5
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If you have a BB Learn More or Learn Everything subscription, there is no additional cost for anything. But for the rest of us, it can cost a bundle in the end. You can earn points in the Champions Hub to redeem for classes or exams, but it also takes a lot of points. (Hopefully by the end of this month, my org will have a training subscription and I can get started!)3
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I was ready to take the professional exam when they pulled it. Taking a bunch of tests now seems a little pointless. We had a training pass for several years, but after managing an RE database for 12 years I don't need that and whenever I took a class it felt like I could have taught it. I do earn a lot of Champions points, but don't really want to use them to take a bunch of exams.
8 -
Hi Everyone,
Great questions. The new exams do not expire, but they are connected to a specific year. So for example, someone who passes the Raiser’s Edge Fundamentals Exam 2015 will always be able to claim that they’re Blackbaud Certified in Raiser’s Edge in 2015 and there is no obligation to ever re-certify. However, when Raiser’s Edge changes in 2016 with new functionality, they will no longer be certified in the most updated version of RE so we encourage them to re-certify every year.
The badges are part of the exam process and additional ways that you can show your knowledge in specific areas. So for example, you can take the Raiser's Edge Fundraising Badge Exam and display your expertise in Fundraising in Raiser's Edge.
Melissa0 -
Jen Claudy:
If you have a BB Learn More or Learn Everything subscription, there is no additional cost for anything. But for the rest of us, it can cost a bundle in the end. You can earn points in the Champions Hub to redeem for classes or exams, but it also takes a lot of points. (Hopefully by the end of this month, my org will have a training subscription and I can get started!)A Learn More training subscription makes no sense in an organization like mine, where there are only one or two people really using RE. I've been using RE for about 6 years now, and do all the imports and Admin tasks, and train our other staff myself, so to spend the time and money taking basic-level classes is redundant and inefficient. I'm glad they allow self-learners to take the exam cold-turkey.
What are Champion points, incidentally? I never heard of them before.
4 -
Totally agree with Karen. Was thinking about next level of certification but too many hoops to jump thru. And agree with F, a Learn More does make sense for our org either. Have found same things true on trainings. At the same time I would like to know what I'm missing / don't know about in RE - missed questions on the cert exam I did take but broad subject areas for where I missed questions don't tell me where to study/research functions.
Version of RE can also be a factor. I know exams and even courses are not going to be of benefit to me until we update to 7.95.
Guess part of it's mindset also. Love me job here, not planning to relocate, search for another job where need those details for a resume.4 -
I hate to say this, but I got my cert way back in the beginning when it was the associate level and I feel like the test definitely asked some hard questions even with a few years of experience and having taken every training class they had at the time. I have found that outside of those of us who have the certification, not many others know or care about it. I've actually had to explain to interviewers what it was.
While renewing each year sounds great for Blackbaud's pocket, it's just not realistic for me to ask my org to keep a Learn subscription when the classes at this point aren't really telling me anything I didn't learn when I took them 3 years ago. In fact, I think many of the classes I had before the training program was re-vamped were much more in-depth and covered a larger variety of subjects. Plus, they look to me to train new staff (even though I think BB training is taken more seriously by the learner than when I as a co-worker sit with them at their desk).
I also have to express some concerns with all the levels now. Especially given that many don't know what bCRE is, what makes a more advanced user stand out from someone who only has a fundamentals certification? Certainly not badges. I only say this because, over the past 6 months, I've met some peers who have the F-level cert and they have asked me some seriously basic questions that I would expect a "certified" user to know coming in if they were hired. Even if the certification is more recent, perhaps that isn't as relevant as working knowledge. (Not to knock anyone who has the fundamentals cert, really. It's more than many have! And I would definitely take it into consideration if I were interviewing candidates. Unfortunately, I've never had a candidate with any kind of certification
)
I'd love to see an example of the tests.
As it stands, I'm content to let my associates stand and prove my skill through being able to speak knowledgeably about the product and how it can help you reach fundraising goals. I'll just plug my #1 suggested interview question if you are talking to a job applicant: "How do you send only one mailing to someone who is both an individual and a contact at an organization?"8 -
What are Champion points, incidentally? I never heard of them before.
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I'm getting Page Not Found when I click that link? Any advice?0
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Hi Amy! I'm so sorry. The link changed and I forgot to update it. It is now updated in my original post. You can also just follow this link: https://community.blackbaud.com/blackbauduniversity/bcre1
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Thank you!!!!0
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Joe Moellering:
When we initially developed the Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser's Edge program we designed three levels each testing progressively more complex functionality. The Associate exam was designed to encourage learning and usage of the important underlying records like Constituents, Gifts and Actions that are critical for the other product functionality to work effectively. The exam was a deep dive into these records as well as some additional foundational information that was useful for any user role. In January 2015, our team completely overhauled and rewrote our entire Raiser's Edge curriculum with a Fundamentals series and prescriptive learning paths. In order to more closely align the bCRE program with our new curriculum, we reorganized the questions and published the Fundamentals exam. The Fundamentals exam is a more broad overview of the standard Raiser's Edge functionality that is foundational for all roles but does not dive as deeply into any area. We are in the process of reorganizing and republishing the Professional and Master exams as well. In order to avoid confusion of where to start the Blackbaud Certification path, we retired the Associate exam but still acknowledge those who have passed it.Where is the info on the Master's level exam? Trying to find the information on exams in the training center has been very frustrating.
1 -
Got mine today. Pretty easy test for someone who's worked in the system for awhile (got 100% in 22 minutes), but I don't think either of my subs/trainees could pass it right now. So I guess that means it's an efficient test and does its job.
Looking forward to being able to register for some of BB's more advanced classes now, especially on Imports and Admin tasks - my main objective!6 -
I got my Associates certification last year and got the email saying it's about to expire, so I did some checking into getting the Fundamentals cert. Maybe I'm missing something, but I left Blackbaud's site absolutely astounded. I work for the foundation of a not-for-profit health system. The foundation itself has only 3 1/2 data people who really need to understand Raiser's Edge - we then teach the fundraisers what they need to know to do their jobs. We had the mid-level training package, but when we shelled out the money to go to RENXT, it was decided to drop that in order to be able to afford NXT and still keep the lights on. I believe, after having worked in Raiser's Edge every day for the last 4 years, I can pass the Fundamentals cert without doing any of the webinars. However, if all 3 1/2 of us needed to do the webinars and then the cert, it would cost our not-for-profit somewhere around $6,700. Each year. For 3 1/2 people. As it is, our boss sends 3 or 4 people to BBCON each year for somewhere around $1,600 per person. Did I mention we're a not-for-profit?
Am I missing something? Yes, it would probably be a great thing to put on my resume', if I ever intended to leave, but...
2 -
I also work for a small non-profit. Unfortunately, the way that Blackbaud Learn subscriptions are structured, it's prohibitive for a small shop to subscribe (as others have noted). It's ~$7,000 annually for the high end program - whether 1 or 100 people in your org use it! Learn sales reps kept telling me "but any number of people in your org can use Learn". Except that I'm the only one who will. I'm the database admin, as well as the data entry person. Some of the time I have a work-study intern. And there is one admin person that enters limited data. That's it. I strongly suggest that Blackbaud develop a single user subscription to RE Learn. Having more RE users fluent in the program would be a win-win. RE customers in small non-profits should have access to the same knowledge.
(Because of an error in what I was told on a webinar, Blackbaud has extended a single user price to me, and I'm eternally grateful! After 3 years of self-discovery and customer support, Learn has helped me increase my knowledge, understanding and facility with using RE logorithmically.)
I have passed all available exams, but see it only as a starting point. There's so much more functionality available with RE than we use. I would never have discovered it on my own.6 -
Being a member of Blackbaud Champions is a good idea. You are able to use points you earn to cover the cost of taking the certification exams.I've been fortunate to be at organizations that believe in and value training. I've taken every class available to me and have learned so many things that help me in my day to day work.I recently passed the professional certification. It wasn't terribly hard, but I've had 12 years experience as an RE database manager. I think that the tests are a good measure of your RE knowledge and becuase of the certification I have been contacted by organizations looking for a new database manager. I've found that organizations are starting to pay attention to those who are certified. They usually find me through LinedIn where I have my certification posted. People always say that they can't pay for training because they are a non-profit. We're all at non-profits and having trained employees is important and a good use of an organizations money.
4 -
Jennifer Broadwell:
Joe Moellering:
When we initially developed the Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser's Edge program we designed three levels each testing progressively more complex functionality. The Associate exam was designed to encourage learning and usage of the important underlying records like Constituents, Gifts and Actions that are critical for the other product functionality to work effectively. The exam was a deep dive into these records as well as some additional foundational information that was useful for any user role. In January 2015, our team completely overhauled and rewrote our entire Raiser's Edge curriculum with a Fundamentals series and prescriptive learning paths. In order to more closely align the bCRE program with our new curriculum, we reorganized the questions and published the Fundamentals exam. The Fundamentals exam is a more broad overview of the standard Raiser's Edge functionality that is foundational for all roles but does not dive as deeply into any area. We are in the process of reorganizing and republishing the Professional and Master exams as well. In order to avoid confusion of where to start the Blackbaud Certification path, we retired the Associate exam but still acknowledge those who have passed it.Where is the info on the Master's level exam? Trying to find the information on exams in the training center has been very frustrating.Jennifer,
The Master's exam is not available yet in its new form. We currently have the Fundamentals and the Professional levels. We will let everyone know once the Master's level is released. I appologize that you have had a hard time fining exam information in Training Central. Have you looked at the certification path infographic? Each step is a hyperlink.
Thank you,
Melissa
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Heather Jacob:
I got my Associates certification last year and got the email saying it's about to expire, so I did some checking into getting the Fundamentals cert. Maybe I'm missing something, but I left Blackbaud's site absolutely astounded. I work for the foundation of a not-for-profit health system. The foundation itself has only 3 1/2 data people who really need to understand Raiser's Edge - we then teach the fundraisers what they need to know to do their jobs. We had the mid-level training package, but when we shelled out the money to go to RENXT, it was decided to drop that in order to be able to afford NXT and still keep the lights on. I believe, after having worked in Raiser's Edge every day for the last 4 years, I can pass the Fundamentals cert without doing any of the webinars. However, if all 3 1/2 of us needed to do the webinars and then the cert, it would cost our not-for-profit somewhere around $6,700. Each year. For 3 1/2 people. As it is, our boss sends 3 or 4 people to BBCON each year for somewhere around $1,600 per person. Did I mention we're a not-for-profit?
Am I missing something? Yes, it would probably be a great thing to put on my resume', if I ever intended to leave, but...
Hi Heather,
I appologize for the confusion. You do not need to take the Fundamentals courses before taking the new Raiser's Edge Fundamentals Exam. We recommend taking the Fundamental courses if people are newer to Raiser's Edge or want to ensure that they are using the system correctly and efficiently.
I agree that Blackbaud Champions is a great program to earn Certification. You can also earn discounts for training and for bbcon.
Please let me know if you have any questions, and I'm happy to help.
Melissa
0 -
Heather Jacob:
I believe, after having worked in Raiser's Edge every day for the last 4 years, I can pass the Fundamentals cert without doing any of the webinars. However, if all 3 1/2 of us needed to do the webinars and then the cert, it would cost our not-for-profit somewhere around $6,700. Each year. For 3 1/2 people. As it is, our boss sends 3 or 4 people to BBCON each year for somewhere around $1,600 per person. Did I mention we're a not-for-profit?
Am I missing something? Yes, it would probably be a great thing to put on my resume', if I ever intended to leave, but...
I agree - they definitely need a single-user Learn subscription. That's the only way our Org would consider it. In the meantime, I think the best solution for small nonprofits is to have a dedicated Database Manager like you, who can self-learn. Everything in the classes is also in the Knowledgebase, if you know how to find it (read Bill Connor's book, too - the best $25 investment you'll make). Then, set up your own training sessions with your support staff. Since you've already worked in the system 4 years, and passed the Associates exam, you most likely already know everything you need to take the test cold-turkey and then teach your underlings the essentials for passing the new Fundamentals exam.
The challenge is, making time out of all your other duties to hold training sessions, and getting the other staff to afford you the same level of respect as they would an "official" webinar.
But, if they knew that they could gain certification by sitting in on your sessions, maybe that would sufficiently inspire them ...
3 -
The Master's exam is not available yet in its new form. We currently have the Fundamentals and the Professional levels. We will let everyone know once the Master's level is released. I appologize that you have had a hard time fining exam information in Training Central. Have you looked at the certification path infographic? Each step is a hyperlink.
Melissa, I noticed (after reading through the pre-requisites and course abstracts underlying the Professional Exam) that the Pro exam covers more involved queries, mail, exports, etc. but does not cover anything pertaining to Imports, Global Add, Global Delete, Security, or other Admin tasks. I assume this will be a focus of the Master's exam? Can you offer any other info about the future Master's exam, such as, will it require knowledge of optional modules that not everybody will have (such as the Prospect module)?
3 -
I just completed all of my certification badges. I also passed my Professional Exam. Be careful, some of the questions really make you think. Don't be freaked out by the time they give you, I had plenty of time to recheck all my answers.2
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Jen Claudy:
If you have a BB Learn More or Learn Everything subscription, there is no additional cost for anything. But for the rest of us, it can cost a bundle in the end. You can earn points in the Champions Hub to redeem for classes or exams, but it also takes a lot of points. (Hopefully by the end of this month, my org will have a training subscription and I can get started!)Are the exams also included in the training susbscriptions or is that an additional charge?
0 -
Donna Hren:
Are the exams also included in the training susbscriptions or is that an additional charge?
Yes. All of the exams are available, included in your subscription price (although you must pass the 4 badge exams before the Pro level exam appears).
1 -
Holly Herbert:
As a nonprofit professional, there are numerous benefits to getting Blackbaud Certified, like joining a group of professionals who are experts in The Raiser’s Edge and achieving credentials recognized as the industry standard. You can also use your Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser’s Edge (bCRE) to validate your credentials, build your resume, and advance your career.
If you have completed any of the three levels of bCRE:
- The Fundamentals level of bCRE, recognized as bCRE
- The Professional level of bCRE, recognized as bCRE-Pro
- The Master level of bCRE, recognized as bCRE-Ma
The badge will appear under your profile picture when you post in the community.
If you are interested in learning more about earing your Blackbaud Certification in The Raiser’s Edge (bCRE), go here.
Once you've claimed your badge, feel free to show it off by posting a little note about what you learned during your certification process on this thread. And if you have questions about earning your bCRE, this conversation thread is a great place to start asking.
I got mine!
1 -
Has anyone heard whether the Master level exam is available yet? I
have my bCRE-Pro certification and have been waiting for the Master
level exam to become available.
Thanks,
Lauren
0
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