Recognition as a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor is one of the most significant benefits of QuickBooks ProAdvisor membership. Both the certification training modules and exams are provided at no additional cost to current ProAdvisors.
Intuit has announced changes for two QuickBooks ProAdvisor certifications. A variety of alerts have started being pushed out to ProAdvisors via email. These alerts not only provide information similar to that contained in this article, but also include specific instructions and options that may impact you based upon your current certification status, or lack thereof.
QuickBooks Desktop 2016 Certification Exam
The QuickBooks Desktop 2016 Certification Exam will "sunset" on Oct. 30, 2017. This means QuickBooks ProAdvisors – or those seeking to become certified QuickBooks ProAdvisors – will no longer have access to the QuickBooks Desktop 2016 Certification exam and training modules after 12:00 (PST) on Monday, Oct. 30, 2017.
If you still need to get 2016 QB Desktop certified, now is the time to get the training completed and the examination passed.
QuickBooks Desktop 2018 Certification Exam
The new QuickBooks Desktop 2018 Certification Exam and Training Modules will be available to ProAdvisors wishing to become certified beginning Monday, Nov. 20, 2017.
Personally, I like to take the new exams over the long Thanksgiving Holiday. It just seems that Turkey and Exams go hand in hand.
About the 2018 Training Modules:
There are 10 training modules. Each one is offered for CPE credit. By popular request, one of the modules focuses entirely on “What’s New in QuickBooks 2018” for you and your clients.
These training modules are optional. You may take the training modules before attempting the exam, in between exam sections as you progress through the exam, after the exam, or not at all. The choice is entirely up to you.
ProAdvisor Certification does not depend on you taking the optional training modules, the training materials are designed to simply help you learn the material you need to know as a Certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.
About the 2018 Certification Exam:
- The full exam contains 120 questions, this exam will take most people between three to four hours to complete.
- The exam is broken into three sections of 35 questions each and a fourth section with 15 questions.
- You can complete the exam sections in any order.
- You must complete each section with a minimum passing score of 80 percent.
- You have four attempts to pass each section of the exam.
- After your first attempt, subsequent attempts to pass any section of this exam will include only the test items that were answered incorrectly in the previous attempt.
- Each question is saved as you progress to the next question.
- You may exit the exam at any time and your progress will be saved (this is helpful for those who need to complete the exam experience in more than one sitting). All your progress is saved, so that when you return, you just start from where you left.
- If you fail on your fourth attempt you must wait one year from your last attempt before retaking the exam. During that year you should review the self-paced training modules and practice within the product to prepare for your next attempt.
About the QuickBooks 2018 Re-certification Exam Option
Only ProAdvisors currently holding both the 2016 and 2017 QuickBooks Desktop Certifications are eligible to take the shorter ProAdvisor Re-Certification Exam that focuses on "What's New in QuickBooks 2018." This shorter exam consists of a single 15 question section covering "What's New in QuickBooks 2018".
You must complete this re-certification exam with a minimum passing score of 80%, and you have up to four attempts to pass the exam. Subsequent attempts to pass this section of this exam will include only the test items that were answered incorrectly in the previous attempt.
Each question is saved as you progress to the next question.You may exit the exam at any time and your progress will be saved so that when you return, you just start from where you left! If you fail after all four attempts, you must wait one year from your last attempt before re-taking the exam again.
Accessing All ProAdvisor Certification Training Materials and Exams
During the period of availability, ProAdvisor certification training modules and exams are accessible via the QuickBooks Certification Center.
- ProAdvisors must log into QBOA using their ProAdvisor User ID and Password
- Then click the ProAdvisor tab on the left
ProAdvisor Access
- When the Certification Section opens, locate the certification you are interested in
- Click on the certification to expand and display the optional training modules
- When you are ready to start the certification exam, click Take Exam on the right side of the screen
Upon passing the exam your certification center and Find-a-ProAdvisor profile should be updated within one hour thereafter. You should logout and login again to verify that the new certification has been posted. If certifications fail to appear after one hour, contact ProAdvisor Support.