This page is for genealogists preparing a portfolio for certification by the Board for Certification of Genealogists. BCG has no timed exam. You upload an electronic portfolio, and at least 3 judges assess it against standards-based rubrics. This page lists the fees and deadlines from BCG's published materials. It also has free practice questions on proof, evidence, citation and DNA, and a study plan for using them alongside the official guide.
Numbers in brackets link to the official sources listed under Sources & last verified. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.
| Item | Detail | Source · Verified |
|---|---|---|
| Number of questions | Two-part portfolio, max 75 pages per part[1] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Passing score | At least 3 judges evaluate against standards-based rubrics[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Annual maintenance) | $80 per year[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Exam fee (Preliminary application) | $80[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Retake fee | Same as first-time fees[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Retake policy | Reapply with new work samples; same fees as first-time applicants[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Validity | 5 years[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Renewal | Every 5 years, $300[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Delivery | Electronic portfolio upload (no timed exam)[3] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Eligibility | Open to any applicant who meets the standards; work must be in English[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Score release | About 5–6 months[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Late registration deadline | $80 per one-year extension (no limit on extensions)[2] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
| Registration deadline | Part 1 due within 1 year of signing the preliminary application; Part 2 within 1 year after Part 1 approval[3] | Board for Certification of Genealogists · Oct 26, 2026 |
According to Board for Certification of Genealogists, “Each part is limited to 75 digital pages.”[1]
The Board for Certification of Genealogists gives credentials to people who show they can meet genealogical research and ethical standards. There is no timed exam. You build an electronic portfolio of your own work and submit it as Part 1 and Part 2. Each part is limited to 75 digital pages.
Certification is open to any applicant who meets the standards, and the work you submit must be in English. The process starts with a preliminary application, which costs $80. Part 1 is due within 1 year of the date you sign that form. Part 2 is due within 1 year after Part 1 is approved. If you need more time, each 1-year extension costs $80, and there is no limit on extensions. The final application fee is $200 for each part.
At least 3 judges evaluate each portfolio using rubrics based on genealogical standards. The result depends on whether your work meets those standards. Evaluation usually takes about 5–6 months. If your portfolio is unsuccessful, you may reapply with new work samples. The fees are the same as for first-time applicants, and BCG asks you to first work on the weak skills your judges identified.
Once certified, you can use the credential for 5 years. You pay an annual maintenance fee of $80 and renew every 5 years for $300. Fees and rules can change, so check the current application guide at bcgcertification.org before you apply.
Prepare for the BCG - Board for the Certification of Genealogists exam with our free practice test modules. Each quiz covers key topics to help you pass on your first try.
These are practice questions written for this site, not questions from the real exam. Each explanation shows why the right answer is right and why the others are wrong.
Question: What is the recommended frequency for reviewing and updating evidence analysis & documentation protocols?
Answer: A. Monitoring outcomes through regular data collection and trend analysis
Explanation:
A is correct. The best way to keep evidence analysis and documentation protocols current is to watch outcomes all the time. Collect data on how your work performs, look for trends, and revise when the evidence shows a weakness. Review becomes an ongoing habit, not a single date on the calendar.
B is wrong because waiting until year-end lets problems repeat for a long time before anyone notices. C is wrong because outside audits are useful but should not be the only check, since you are responsible for your own quality. D is wrong because counting how much work you do says nothing about whether your conclusions are sound or your citations are complete.
Rule to remember: review your methods continuously and judge them by quality, not volume.
Question: Under BCG standards, which statement best describes how genetic genealogy evidence should be cited?
Answer: B. Cite the testing company, kit number, test date, match name, and shared DNA amount
Explanation:
B is correct. A DNA result is evidence like any other source. Its citation must let a reader find and evaluate it, so it needs the testing company, kit number, test date, match name and amount of shared DNA. Without these details, nobody can check the match or judge how much it proves.
A is wrong because digital sources still need citations. Being stored in a database does not exempt them. C is wrong because you should cite DNA whenever it supports a conclusion, whether it stands alone or sits alongside documents. D is wrong because a census citation format has no place for kit numbers or shared DNA, so it would leave out what a reader needs to verify the match.
Rule to remember: cite every source, including DNA, in enough detail for someone else to find the same evidence.
Question: What is the primary objective of documentation & record management within the BCG professional framework?
Answer: B. Analyzing data systematically using validated assessment tools
Explanation:
B is correct. Record management in genealogy exists so that conclusions rest on evidence that is organized and analyzed systematically. Working through your records with a consistent, tested method keeps evidence findable and helps you spot conflicts between sources. Research logs, source tracking and structured analysis are examples of such methods.
A is wrong because informal observations and anecdotes are not documented sources. C is wrong because copying someone else's approach without fitting it to your own research problem skips the analysis the problem needs. D is wrong because assumptions carried over from past cases are not evidence for the current one. Each conclusion needs its own documentation.
Rule to remember: organize and analyze records systematically so every conclusion can be traced back to its sources.
Start with the official BCG application guide and the genealogical standards the judges use. Your portfolio is judged against those rubrics, not against our questions. Use the practice sets as quick checks on the skills the portfolio requires.
Practice questions cannot tell you whether your portfolio meets the standards. Ask a colleague to read your drafts for clarity, and check your work against the published requirements before you upload.
No. BCG certification has no timed exam. You submit an electronic portfolio of your own work as Part 1 and Part 2, and each part is limited to 75 digital pages. At least 3 judges evaluate it against standards-based rubrics. Our practice questions are a way to test how well you understand the standards. They are not copies of anything BCG asks.
The preliminary application fee is $80. The final application fee is $200 for each of Part 1 and Part 2, and each 1-year deadline extension costs $80. After you are certified, the annual maintenance fee is $80, which includes the OnBoard newsletter. Renewal every 5 years costs $300. All prices are in US dollars, so confirm current fees with BCG.
Part 1 is due within 1 year of the date you sign your preliminary application form. Part 2 is due within 1 year after Part 1 is approved. If you need more time, you can buy a 1-year extension for $80, and there is no limit on the number of extensions.
Evaluation usually takes about 5–6 months. At least 3 judges review each application for initial certification. They use rubrics to decide whether your materials meet genealogical standards. Plan your timeline around that wait, especially if you need the credential for client work.
You can reapply with new work samples, following the same procedure as before. The fees are the same as for first-time submissions. BCG advises you to first work on the weak skills your judges identified. Read their feedback closely and practise those areas before you build the new portfolio.
Certification is open to any applicant who shows they can meet BCG's research and ethical standards. The work you submit must be in English. Check the official BCG site for current details before you sign the preliminary application, because that date starts your Part 1 deadline.
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