Good news! In January of 2020, the Prerequisites requirement for taking advanced level courses changed. The only prerequisite for most advanced courses is Blackbaud certification at the Fundamentals level. This means you no longer need to search for and take specific Fundamentals courses, or try to determine if you took a previous version of a course. And if you’re already certified, you know the added value of Blackbaud certification is validation of your product knowledge and industry expertise.
* Instead of requiring certification, some advanced courses still may require prerequisites to help you prepare for and get the most benefit from advanced course topics. For details on which courses require certification as a prerequisite, refer to the course abstract.
Certification now unlocks access to most advanced courses
* Some advanced courses may instead include suggested prerequisites to help you prepare for and get the most benefit from advanced course topics. For details on which courses require certification as a prerequisite, refer to the course abstract.
Training Help FAQ Prerequisites
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Why can’t I just take advanced courses without needing a certification?
- Earning a Blackbaud certification is the easiest way for you to vet your knowledge. This enables the best classroom experience for you and your peers.
- Updating a certification can take as little as 20 minutes, and gives you access to advanced courses for the next three years.
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I’m not Blackbaud certified. In order to take a certification exam, do I need to take the prerequisite courses cited for that certification?
- All prerequisite courses for Blackbaud product certifications and Organizational Best Practices certifications are not required but are recommended to help prepare you for the certification exam. Think you’ve already got what it takes? Try your hand at the exam. Most complete it in less than 20 minutes.
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What about Professional level certifications?
- Professional level certifications will also qualify you for advanced courses.
- We recommend taking advanced courses before attempting a Professional level exam.
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In order to qualify for access to advanced courses, from which year does my certification need to be?
- We require a certification with a prior year stamp of the last three years (Example: To take 2021 advanced courses, you must have a certificate earned in 2019, 2020, or 2021).
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I’m not a good test taker. Can’t I just take the Fundamentals courses?
- Certification exams are multiple choice, open-program, and open-note format, which you can take as many times as you need in order to pass.
- Earning a Blackbaud certification is the easiest way for you to vet your knowledge. This enables the best classroom experience for you and your peers.
- Please refer to our Certifications FAQs for further information on certification.
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If I already took the Fundamentals courses, do I still need to get certified?
- Yes, Fundamentals certification is now a prerequisite for advanced courses. For details on which courses require certification as a prerequisite, refer to the course abstract.
- Updating a certification can take as little at 20 minutes, and unlocks advanced courses for the next three years.
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Other than needing access to advanced courses, why should I certify?
- Prove your skills and marketability.
- Validate your Blackbaud credentials for current or future employers.