Recently, I've received my Professional Certification from the Professional Photographic Certification Commission - the leading certification agency of imaging professionals. That certificate lasts for 5 years and I will need to be re-certified again in 5 years.
Some people have asked what was involved in that process. Basically it was a written exam covering any and all aspects of photography. Surprisingly little about that test covered the digital realm but unsurprisingly it focused a lot on lighting and exposure. The second part of certification was 20 image submissions representing a cross-section of my work to a board of experts with many years of experience. I was lucky enough to succeed on both parts in the first try!
I found it to be a great learning experience and want to continue to learn and be inspired by others in my profession. PPA is a great organization to belong to and I recommend it to anyone looking to further their education in the photography business.
For more info on PPA go to this link:
Professional Photographers of America