How do I get Professional Organizer Certification?

If you are interested in becoming a professional organizer, you are probably considering getting a professional organizer certification that will show potential clients and employers that you are trained and can meet all their organizing needs. Professional organizing is a service that helps people better manage their time, clutter, and personal energies. To become a certified professional organizer, you need to first attend training classes to learn the basics of professional organizing, and then work towards your certification. Certifications are offered by professional organizer associations as well as specialized training firms. There are both general professional organizer certifications and specialist certifications available to dedicated organizers.

The most popular certifications for professional organizers are offered by professional associations for the organizing industry. These professional organizations include the National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO), the Board of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO) and the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD). You can seek a professional organizer certification from any one of these associations, as well as find training opportunities that will hone your organizing skills and ability to work with different types of clients. A professional organizer certification from one of these associations shows clients that you are a fully trained professional that is knowledgeable about current industry trends.

If you already have training or experience in professional organizing, you can also apply directly to the Board of Certified Professional Organizers for your professional organizer certification. The National Association for Professional Organizers also offers training opportunities for professional development in organizing as well as partners with the BCPO to provide certification. If you are interested in a specialty professional organizer certification or further education in the organizing profession, the Institute for Challenging Disorganization (ICD) offers special training and several distinct types of professional organizer certification.

You can get a specialized professional organizer certification from the ICD that shows that you know how to work with clients that have mental health conditions like Attention Deficit Disorder and hoarding disorders. Certifications are also available for client administration, physical conditions that affect the client, client learning styles, and clients at different stages of life. The Institute for Challenging Disorganization also offers certifications for professional organizing mentors who want to head organizing firms or train others in professional organizing.