After initial certification, recertification is required every three (3) years from the month/year that CPO^® status is attained, to ensure that a practitioner maintains his or her expertise over time. The certification period begins with the date certification or re-certification is granted. BCPO^® validates continued expertise by requiring continued professional development education.

The certificant must recertify prior to the expiration of the current three year certification period, or he or she will be treated as a new candidate. Recertification may be achieved by a) earning 45 eligible continuing education hours, during the 3-year period; or (b) retaking and passing the examination.

In order for a Certified Professional Organizer^® to recertify, each he or she must:

1. Submit an application for recertification.
2. Subscribe to the BPO^® Code of Ethics.
3. Confirm that 45 eligible CEUs have been entered in the CPO^®-Only area on the BCPO^® website OR schedule and pass the examination.
4. Pay the required annueal maintenance fee.

If the individual chooses to recertify by examination and fails, he or she may not then recertify via the Continuing Education method, and the prior certification is immediately revoked. Providing the current eligibility requirements are met, he or she would be eligible to submit a new application for future examinations.

Prior to renewing certification, BCPO^® will review the Certified Professional Organizer^®'s record to determine if his/her certification has been revoked during the previous certification period. If the Certified Professional Organizer^®'s previous certification was revoked, BCPO^® shall deny renewal of certification, document in the registrant’s file its reasons for granting or denying renewal of certification, and send the Professional Organizer a written notice of denial of renewal. The notice shall specify the individual's right to appeal the denial.

Recertification is subject to random audit.

BCPO^® will issue a written certificate to the CPO^®, stating that he/she has been recertified as CPO^®.

Q: How often do I need to recertify?

A: Recertification is required every three (3) years.

Q: I am recertifying in April 2010, do I count my CEUs from Jan. 2007 to Jan. 2010?

A: For the Inaugural Class, those CPOs - those who took the examination in April of 2007 - the window for earnign eligible CEUs for the 2010 recertification period is January 1, 2007 to April 30, 2010.

For all other CPOs:

Q: What does it cost to recertify?

A: There is no fee for recertification, but your Annual Maintenance Fees (AMF) must be paid in full each year. If you choose to recertify by taking the examination, the standard application fees will apply. The application fee is in addition to, not in place of the Annual Maintenance Fees. The annual maintenance fee is currently $70 per year. Each CPO® will automatically receive an invoice prior to his or her anniversary date each year.

Q: Are the guidelines for continuing education courses the same for recertification as they are for initial certification?

A: Yes. The criteria used to determine the eligibility courses is the same: the course must contribute to your ability as an organizing practitioner to better serve your client. If the course allows you to increase your own skills or your ability to teach or transfer knowledge and/or skills to the client, you have chosen an eligible course.

QUESTIONS ABOUT CEUs

Q: How can I track my continuing education credits?

A: You can track your CEUs in the CPO-Only section of the BCPO website. Once you've logged inr CEUs. We recommend that you enter your CEUs as you earn them to keep your records up-to-date.

Q: What if I make a mistake while I’m recording my continuing education credits on the BCPO website?

A: As you enter the CEUs you will be able to preview your entry before it is saved. If you still make an error, you may edit any entry from the Edit My CEUs menu item by clicking on the course title.

Q: Does it have to be 15 CEUs each year or can I get them all at once?

A: You can earn CEUs at any time during the 3 year period, as long as you have accumulated 45 CEUs by your recertification date.