How to Become an Accredited Genealogist® - My Journey

Kaitlyn Pauley
2 days ago
3 min read

This is first and foremost a congratulatory post as I am now an Accredited Genealogist® in the United States Mid-Atlantic Region through the International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists (ICAPGen℠)! It has been a lot of work and a long time coming, and I wanted to give you a quick synopsis of my journey to AG®.

How to Become an Accredited Genealogist

Step 1: The Four-Generation Project

First up was the four-generation project. I picked a family on my own maternal line that I did not know much about, who had lived within my region (NY, PA, DE, MD, and NJ) for at least part of all four generations. Because this line hadn’t been thoroughly researched, I decided to go for it. Since most of my prior research had been centered in New York and Pennsylvania, it was a wonderful opportunity to deep-dive into Maryland and Delaware records.

Here are some stats from the paper:

37 Pages: The total length of the final written narrative.
200 Citations: Source footnotes proving every single generational link.
25+ People: Individuals tracked and analyzed across multiple state lines.
61 Pages: The exhaustive length of my accompanying research logs.

I submitted the portfolio in May of 2025 and found out I passed this section in the early fall of 2025.

Step 2: The Written and Practical Exams

The next testing session was just a week later, but I chose to wait until late February so I could take the test in Salt Lake City a week before RootsTech. During that time, I created my Personal Research Guide (PRG) to bring to the testing center as a resource—and I still use it to this day!

The testing took place over two days at the FamilySearch Library in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Day 1: Consisted of two separate 2-hour exams. One focused on document interpretation and the other on general knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic region. For this region, I needed a working knowledge of German handwriting. Although I had a good grasp of German going into it, that section was undeniably difficult!
Day 2: The grueling Four-Hour Project. You receive a simulated "client" request, formulate a research question from scratch, and hit the ground running. By the end of the four hours of non-stop work, you must submit a completed research paper, research log, family group sheets, a pedigree chart, and all pertinent documents.

I was told to expect results in about two to three months, but they arrived in just five weeks—I had passed!

Step 3: The Final Hurdle – The Oral Review

After passing the written exams, the final step was scheduling the Oral Review. This interview is conducted by three AGs, including one specializing in your specific region who can ask highly localized questions.

We covered general genealogical knowledge, specific questions about my four-generation project, and my goals as a professional researcher. Once the questions wrapped up, I waited in a virtual breakout room while the interviewers deliberated on whether to award the credential or require a supplemental assignment.

When they welcomed me back, they gave me the incredible news: I was accepted! As soon as I signed the ethics agreement, I was officially an AG®. You can find all Accredited Genealogists here.

Reflection: A 3-Year Journey

While the testing phase looks like it only took about a year, I had been working on my four-generation project for over a year before I even hit submit. Altogether, this was a two-to-three-year process of continuous learning.

I am so incredibly happy to add AG after my name and be included in this great group of professionals! If you are thinking about starting your own journey, I highly recommend taking both study groups offered by ICAPGen; they were instrumental in helping me pass everything on my first try. Completing ProGen 66 also immensely bolstered my skills. I'd love to hear your questions about how to become an Accredited Genealogist!