Stay sharp. Stay ahead. Stay certified
Stay at the forefront of development and community finance with Grow America’s comprehensive recertification program.
Our recertification process goes beyond maintaining your credentials and opens doors to exclusive professional networks, priority access to industry opportunities, and enhanced credibility that sets you apart in the competitive development and community finance landscape.
Why recertify with Grow America?
Recertifying with Grow America ensures that your skills stay sharp and relevant to today’s dynamic community and economic development landscape, giving you a continued competitive edge in securing projects and promotions. Some employers may also require that you keep your certifications up-to-date. In addition, you’ll also receive:
- Access to exclusive professional networks: Access private LinkedIn groups for certified professionals, connecting you with industry leaders and opening doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and career advancement.
- Curated job board access: Get first access to specialized job opportunities that match your expertise, with positions posted exclusively for certified professionals in good standing.
- Continuous learning benefits: Receive tuition discounts on Grow America training and events, plus access to exclusive industry reports and research to keep you ahead of market trends.
- Alumni events: Attend exclusive alumni events, networking mixers, and regional meetups to build strong relationships with peers and collaborate on impactful initiatives.
- Speaking opportunities: Gain priority consideration for speaking roles at conferences and recognition in Grow America publications, enhancing your professional visibility and thought leadership.
How to recerfify
Step 1
To recertify, you will need to complete 24 hours of continuing education over a three-year period (effective September 1, 2025).
Level One: Grow America Activities (Must be a Minimum 12 Hours)
- Attend Grow America training courses or webinars
- Instruct a Grow America training course
- Attend Grow America conferences
- Complete the Recertification Survey (½ hour credit)
Level Two: External Activities* (Up to 12 Hours)
Earn credits on a 2-for-1 basis (2 hours completed = 1 hour credited). Please view the recertification guide for full details.
- Complete external courses or webinars
- Attend multi-day industry conferences
- Speak at approved organization conferences
- Publish articles in industry trade publications
- Serve on boards or committees of development organizations
For inquiries regarding external activities, please contact us at certifications@growamerica.org.
Please note: All external activities must be reviewed and approved during the application review stage.
Step 2
Register for a recertification course in Cypher
To apply for recertification, please visit the Certification Application Page, login if prompted, and select the appropriate certification track. All available certification applications can be found in the catalog link provided above.
Important Deadlines & Fees
Key dates
Certified before May 6, 2024: New expiration date of December 31, 2027
Certified after May 6, 2024: Must recertify within 3 years of certification date
Fees
Recertification Fee: $250 (non-refundable)
Late Fee: $50 per year for up to 5 years to reactivate lapsed certifications
For more information and all recertification details
Please download and review our recertification guide.