Silver Certification questions

I am recovering from surgery and am not able to take on any new work right now. Since I have some time to kill right now, and I had some spare cash, I figured I would pull the trigger and pay for certification. Does anybody know how long it takes to get the materials?

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It's all online.. You pay and can do it that moment.

If someone knows off the top of their head, would you mind sharing how much it costs to obtain silver certification? I know I could look it up, but if anyone is inclined to share, I'd be grateful to save the clicks.

Shopper in California's Bay Area

Think it was 25 usd

Yes 25 for me. Still can't find where I need to take the certification, or download instructions.

Okay, got it!

What does silver certificate do for you?

Some people say nothing really. In my mind, it lets schedulers know that I am serious about my business, and am more likely to complete a desirable assignment in a satisfactory way.

where do you go to take the Silver test without having to pay a membership fee ? I know there is a cost for the test. Thanks

Hey guys! I'm thinking about starting the Flash Certification. We will have a special introductory offer of only $10 and it is guaranteed to do absolutely nothing for you!!!! It just will be a cheaper nothing than MSPA's "silver".

Seriously, folks. A whole lot of extremely solid companies don't care if you have MSPA certification or not. Shoppers have reported that within the same household one shopper is certified and another isn't and there is not a difference in the shops they see. As far as I can tell, having laid out your money is more an indicator that you can be manipulated and had than anything else.

Thanks. I am reading more and more about why not to be MSPA certified.

Good to keep in mind to not bother with gold. I don't mind paying $25 for just Silver, as it is also a tax write-off, but if I don't see an increase with my companies because of Silver, its not likely Gold would make much difference either. So far nothing extra due to Silver, but I only got it earlier this month and am still catching up after my surgery.

I am silver certified. I think it is more important to be reliable, do your reports on time, don't ever flake, reschedule, and build up your contacts with schedulers. Don't try to get certified if you are not ready.

If you apply for Gold do you have to wait for the DVD to come in the mail and then take the test? Or is it all online? Thx

I went to a gold certification seminar back in 2003 that was only a few hours away from my house, shortly after I got silver certified (it was $15 for silver back then). I made some great contacts because there were schedulers and other employees of MSCs there, as well as some shoppers that I still stay in touch with. Also, I have over the past 12 years gotten some emails for shops that stated the emails were only going out to MSPA gold and silver shoppers first. Also, I know that with some MSCs you can self-assign with gold certification. It is true that you should build up relationships with schedulers by being reliable and this is a great help, but it doesn't hurt to get certified. Even if you didn't see more shops by doing it, I do think it shows dedication to the work by getting certified. And if you ever get a chance to get gold certified by attending a seminar, in my opinion you should do it (not sure about this DVD thing).

Thanks for your response. The DVD is on their website [www.mspa-na.org]

No, I just meant I wasn't sure if the DVD was as helpful in learning as the seminar was.

Thanks again for your input. I just signed up and got the silver. I guess the dvd is a recording of one of their workshops like you attended. Once I get it, I watch it, study it and take the test. Still pondering spending the $$. Again thanks!

Should be a tax write-off.

Do they still do the seminars anywhere or are all of the classes now on DVD? Like I said, it was great meeting and talking to schedulers and other MSC employees, as well as shoppers. Networking is always a good thing. Maybe just keep the silver for awhile and see if any gold seminars are available near where you live over the next 6 months.

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