How do you become a professional genealogist?

Question

How do you become a professional genealogist?

Answer 1

In the UK and Ireland ( Scotland , England , Wales ,  Northern Ireland  and the Irish Republic ) anyone can practice as a genealogist If  you are offering a service to the public you must display an appropriate expertise  otherwise  you cou could be prosecuted under the Trades Description Acts ! There are various qualifications offered by colleges and universities but experienc is perhaps the best one of all .

Answer 2

Find someone to pay you to do it. LoL. no flippant answer. It's a pretty popular hobby, so you could probably freelance. I'd not put TOO much time into becoming a pro though. With so many knowledgeable amateurs out there, the demand is low, but the supply is high for researchers.  

Answer 3

http://www.cyndislist.com/profess.htm

There are different levels, from someone with no degree or certification (nothing prohibiting this, but risky), and someone who has a degree and is certified by one of several groups.

Answer 4

You can get a degree in Genealogy.I think it would be a great job to do.There is training you can do to that is equivalent to a degree.

Answer 5

I didn't realize genealogist was a licensed profession.

If it is licensed in your province or state, visit your applicable government's web page, and search through all the "professional acts" until you find genealogists.

If it's anything like the engineering act, or the registered nursing act, it will list the appropriate name of the licensing body responsible.  Contact them, and they'll be happy to walk you through the necessary schooling, ethics & practise exams, and pre-licensing work experience requirements.

Answer 6

Go to the website for the Board for Certification of Genealogists.

http://www.bcgcertification.org/

There is information on the site for the requirements to become certified.  There is much you need to do for several years first, and your work must reflect specific criteria that they ask for, before they will certify you as a professional.