Qualified Google Advertising Professional

On Tuesday I took and passed the Google Advertising Professionals Exam. This was a pretty involved, 117 question exam that covers just about everything that goes into creating, running, managing, and optimizing a Google SEM campaign.

So, what is the significance of passing this exam, you ask? Well, according to Google,

“Qualified Individuals and Qualified Companies within the Google Advertising Professionals program have passed the Google Advertising Professionals Exam and have met other requirements in order to achieve this level of recognition. By attaining individual or company qualification, you’ll receive:

- Google’s recognition as a tested and Qualified AdWords Individual or Company.

- The official AdWords Qualified Individual or Company Logo, which can be displayed on your website and in many other materials to showcase your skills and help attract clients.
- Distinction as a skilled professional.

- A Professional Status page which profiles your business name and displays Google’s validation that you’re an authentic Qualified Individual or Company within Google Advertising Professionals program.

- Promotional credits at a higher value, which can be applied to new client accounts to help bring in more business.

- A warm, fuzzy feeling for this grand accomplishment.”

A special thanks to my company for sponsoring me in this endeavor and pushing me to actually take the exam.

Have you taken this exam? What did you think of it? Are there other certifications that I should take related to SEM?