The Certified Professional Organizer (CPO) designation is an experience and exam

-based certification for professionals who have met specific minimum standards,
and proven through examination and client interaction that they possess the requ
isite body of knowledge and experience.
Prior to sitting for the examination, a CPO candidate must be prepared to verify
employment as a professional organizer preceding the exam date. The CPO designa
tion indicates that an individual has the knowledge, experience and skills neces
sary to teach, transfer or demonstrate organizing skills to facilitate and suppo
rt a client s overall personal and/or business goals.[1]
The Board of Certification for Professional Organizers (BCPO) examination presum
es that candidates possess and maintain the level of education and experience re
quired for certification as outlined in the eligibility requirements section of
the BCPO web site.[2]
Upon successful completion of the BCPO examination, CPOs retain the credential f
or three years, during which time a total of forty-five (45) continuing educatio
n units (CEUs) must be obtained in order to renew the credential.[3]
CPOs adhere to a code of ethics[4] that is enforceable through a stringent ethic
s complaint procedure.[5]
Recent reality television series such as Hoarders and Hoarding: Buried Alive, an
d related news stories [6][7] have brought certified professional organizers [8]
into the public eye.