Google Professional Certification

Types of Certification

Companies or individuals can seek AdWords certification. The certification program is for those wanting to show expertise in managing AdWords programs. Successful candidates earn the right to post a Google “Certified Partner” badge on their websites. Google also certifies people as experts in Google analytics, and has an Apps Education Admin certification in the works as of July 2010.

Company Applications

Companies wanting AdWords certification need at least one certified individual on staff. They also need proof that their business has spent at least $10,000 on advertising in the last 90 days. That’s down from $100,000 under the previous GAP certification.

Individual Applications

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Passing scores vary from exam to exam, but are in the range of 75 to 85 percent.

Applicants wanting AdWords certification must pass the mandatory online Google Advertising Fundamentals exam as well as one other advanced exam of their choice - search advertising, reporting and analysis, or display. Each exam features 110 to 120 questions that must be completed within two hours. There’s a single exam for analytics certification, and a series of six exams being developed for the new Apps Education Admin certification.

Costs

All exams cost $50 each with the exception of the six Apps Education exams, which are $15 each as of July 2010.

Updating Certification

The new certification was introduced in April 2010. Those certified under the old program have six months to meet the new criteria if they want to maintain certification. Companies will require at least one individual on staff who also meets updated qualifications.