I've recently had calls from people wanting to become a PO and asking how they get certified to be a professional organizer.

I'm going to answer that question...and share some links for more information. We have a rule agaisnt posting links but each of these links have been approved for use.

Each of my three callers seem to think that in order to become a professional organizer, they must be certified. I thought that this might be a good topic to discuss again here.

You do not need ANY certification of any kind to become a professional organizer. There is a voluntary certification program, where you earn the designation CPO however you must be an experienced professional organizer to sit for the exam. You must be able to prove that you have worked many paid hours as an organizer- along with other qualifications.

So, first you open a business and begin work as a PO then, down the road a couple of years, you decide if you want to study for and sit for the exam. It is not something you do before opening your business. Again, it is entirely voluntary. There is not any kind of rule or law that you must be certified- in fact there are many POs who are not.

Learn more about certifcation at http://certifiedprofessionalorganizers.org/
http://www.napo.net/default.aspx?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

There is another certification available for those organizers who wish to work with the cronically disorganized (like hoarders but not limited to hoarders.) You can learn about that certification at this website. http://www.challengingdisorganization.org/

Again, for those thinking about entering business as a PO, thinking about certification will come later. At the start, you can't be certified. So begin by concentrating on setting up a legal business by getting a business license, considering incorporation, setting up books and bank accounts, creating a marketing plan, buying insurance and so forth.

Please let us know if you have questions or comments on being certified and we'll try to get you some answers.

The qualifications to become certified do require that you be in business at least a few years prior to sitting for certification.

However, I can tell you that its a great idea to look at the qualifications to determine 1. If you want to pursue it in the future.
2. You are keeping track of the hours and accomplishments you need to so you can submit them when the time comes.
3. The suggested reading materials for the certification can help organizers at any level of business.

Good suggestion Bonnie- especially about setting up a way to keep track of the hours. Not all the hours you organize will count so you need to know what does count. It is hard to go back and figure out what you did three years ago for Ms. Client and if it should count or not. Do it as you go.