How to Register

The first step after you decide to pursue the Grant Professionals Certification (GPC) is to register. Before you begin the process, it is a good idea to view the eligibility requirements.

1. The online process will lead candidates through a series of questions to establish preliminary eligibility. Note that this process takes place on an external web site.
   
   Atlanta – Registration for the August 2, 2008 Atlanta exam is open through July 11. Registration for the October Long Beach exam will open at a later date. You may registration for the Atlanta exam (on an external web site) HERE.
   
   Long Beach – Registration for the Long Beach, CA exam in October will begin here July 7.The Long Beach examination will be administered in two parts, and all candidates will be tested on both the 25th and 26th. To learn more about the AAGP conference at the AAGP web site. For planning and travel purposes, it is best to count on staying through the entire day on Sunday. The exam is administered in two portions – a four-hour multiple choice, pencil-and-paper portion and a two-hour writing exercise by computer. One is given on the afternoon of October 25 and the other on the morning or afternoon of October 26, depending on the number of registrants. Candidates will be assigned a specific time for each exam session when they have completed all three phases of registration.
2. Candidates who progress further will be asked to submit documents within seven (7) days supporting thiereligibility.
3. That documentation will be reviewed within five (5) to ten (10) days of receipt, and candidates will be informed of their status.
4. Those candidates deemed eligible to take the examination will then be offered both online and alternate means to pay for their registration. 
   
   Note: Some candidates may have paid in advance with an AAGP conference registration. This advance payment option is a convenience offered to candidates who want to pay for both conference and GPC costs in one payment. AAGP then forwards payment to GPCI. Such candidates still must complete the registration process described above.  Do not assume you are registered and will be seated at the exam, just because you paid in advance. You must complete the entire registration process.

The cost of registration will be as follows:

	Members*	Non-Members
First-time test takers	$400	$525
Test re-takers (failed a test)	$150	$215

Refund Policy: Cancellations with partial refund may be made upon request 21 days prior to the exam; all but $50 of the initial registration fee will be refunded.

*"Members" means members of a group affiliated with GPCI. At this time, the American Association of Grant Professionals (AAGP) is the only affiliated organization. This relationship comes on the strength of thousands of hours invested by AAGP members into the credentialing process over many years, coupled with a substantial financial investment in GPCI's test development activities. Those who wish to join AAGP can do so at http://www.grantprofessionals.org.

Length of Certification: To maintain certification, holders will be required to participate in GPCI's Certificate Maintenance Program, which will require continued demonstration of activity and professional development in the field.  Find details about the three-year certification maintenance cycle here.