The following announcement wass written by the Board for Certification of Genealogists:

BCG today released the 2025 edition of The BCG Application Guide, which takes effect on 1 July 2025. Applicants who submit a preliminary application or extension after 30 June 2025 are subject to the new 2025 guide, as well as associates whose renewal applications are due after 30 June 2026. Applicants who are currently “on-the-clock” have the option to use the new two-part application process beginning 1 July 2025. This new guide does not affect those governed under the pilot program application guide.

The 2025 Application Guide is available at https://bcgcertification.org/images/files/BCG_Application_Guide-2025.pdf

The associated 2025 rubrics are available at https://bcgcertification.org/become-a-certified-genealogist#2025-new-application-rubrics.

BCG will present a webinar on the 2025 Application Guide on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, through Legacy Family Tree Webinars. The registration link will be forthcoming. 

General Updates
Descriptions for requirements have been modified in response to frequently asked questions. Appendices have been updated for the benefit of all applicants, and should be reviewed carefully. The new guide has links to the BCG website for rubrics and the policy on AI in portfolios.

Changes for New Applicants
The most significant change is that all new applicants will submit using the two-part portfolio process.  The preliminary application format and extensions for preliminary applicants remain unchanged. Portfolio elements will be submitted in two separate parts as defined by the guide. If Part 1 is successful, the applicant may submit the requirements for Part 2. 

Details on changes made to the individual portfolio requirements are listed below. The elements were renumbered to match the separation of the portfolio into two parts. Each part is limited to 75 digital pages. Client permissions and documentation to meet Standard 54 are exempt from the page count. Please read the new guide carefully for other changes.

Starting July 1, 2025, the fee for submitting a portfolio will be $400. This is the first time the fee for submitting a portfolio has been increased in 13 years. For the two-part application, the fee will be $200 for Part 1 and $200 for Part 2. The fee for preliminary applications and extensions has not changed.

Language throughout The BCG Application Guide has been clarified. Applicants should read the 2025 version carefully before applying.

These are some of the changes in the 2025 BCG Application Guide for new CG applications:

Code of Ethics

• ·         Adds three new bullet points in the section “To protect the client.”

Requirement Restrictions

• ·         Provides a link to the URL for the BCG policy on the use of artificial intelligence in new CG portfolios.
• ·         Clarifies that “a DNA test taker may appear in more than one work sample to provide evidence for different research subjects in distinct ancestral lines.”

Document Work

• ·         Adds a document citation as a specific requirement.

• ·         Separates analysis of information and evidence relevant to the research question from document reliability and context.

Kinship Determination Project

• ·         Requires a descending narrative lineage (not a narrative genealogy, a pedigree, or an ascending narrative lineage) and provides a numbering format (Appendix C).
• ·         Requires that the two required proof summaries and/or proof arguments be labeled.

Research Report

• ·         Requires that the report must demonstrate in-depth and skillful use of a range of sources. Advises that research sessions of less than twenty hours are unlikely to meet this requirement.
• ·         Revises the definition for “use a family other than your own or your spouse’s.” The research report may not be about your ancestors—biological or adoptive—your spouse’s ancestors, or siblings of any of these people.
• ·         Clarifies that images or other materials sent to the client using a digital-file sharing service should be included as part of the report sent to BCG and are included in the page count. Links to outside servers are not acceptable.

Case Study

• ·         Revises the definition of what qualifies as a case study: “Supply a case study (a stand-alone proof argument) drawn from your own research that (a) demonstrates application of the Genealogical Proof Standard and (b) resolves a significant problem of relationship that cannot be resolved from uncontested direct evidence. Identity questions that separate same-named people or merge identities to solve relationship problems are also acceptable. You may not submit a study about a single identifying characteristic of a person, such as their date or place of birth.”
  
  

Changes for Current Associates
Associates whose renewal date falls on or before 30 June 2026 may choose either the 2021 or 2025 Application Guide requirements for CG renewal.  Associates whose renewal date falls on or after 1 July 2026, even if submitted previous to that date, are subject to the 2025 edition. Associates may submit one or two work samples, both of which must meet the Genealogical Proof Standard.

The Certified Genetic Genealogist (CGG) requirements have been introduced in this edition.  Rubrics have been updated to reflect the relevant sections.

The Certified Genealogical Lecturer (CGL) requirements have been updated in this edition, and rubrics have been introduced to aid applicants.

There are no changes to the fees for renewals or add-on credentials.

For more information or with questions, contact the Executive Director.