In the paranormal community the topic of "Certification" brings mixed opinions. If you are a seasoned paranormal investigator, then you know that your services are free. So could the hype on certification be some groups ways of making money? I am all for making money, if you want to sell shirts or something with your teams logo on it. Let's look at the "certification" process on some different websites.
The first website I found is called Paranormal Certification. The top of their site says "Validate your proven experience and knowledge." Really? This is their reason you should be certified. "Earning a Paranormal Certification validates your proven experience and knowledge in paranormal investigation. Designed to be relevant in today's rapidly changing investigative fields, Paranormal Certification will help you utilize evolving technologies, fine-tune your investigation skills, and improve your standing with peers.
Whether you are new to paranormal investigation, or a seasoned paranormal investigation professional, becoming certified demonstrates to everyone that you are committed to advancing your skills and taking on greater challenges. In addition, certification provides you with access to our exclusive Paranormal Certification resources and benefits, including opportunities to connect with a vast, global network of certified paranormal investigators." So the process for this certification is as follows: you submit an application and then a board of directors has to approve it. I looked at this application anyone could fill this out and pay the money and they would send you a certification! Their certification levels range from Enthusiast $49.95 application fee and $29.95 annual fee to Professional $69.95 application fee and $29.95 annual fee. They are only asking you questions they are not taking you out and making sure that you "actually" know what you are doing. This is a money making scam.
The paranormal field is constantly changing. If you want to be certified as a parapsychologist then okay, but that requires courses and a college, not just some application. There are so many websites that I have found where people are trying to make money off this new trend that everyone wants to be a part of. If you truly want to learn how to be an investigator find groups in your area. Most groups have some sort of training that does not cost anything.
With the paranormal being a vast area of study it almost seems impossible to certify you in a field like this. If there are any other reasons for this certification other than money, I am open to hearing them. Please feel free to leave me a comment.
Comments
This is the U.S., where everything has to be legitimized with a license! I vote for certification.
I agree with certifation but only with a thorough background of the team. I've thought about having one myself but ONLY admit the most hightly qualified in the business. Extensive questioning, interviewing, and research will give you those answers. A simple questionaire won't cut it. I'm proud of my field and I want to to put my word on the line for only the best. Not a bad idea just needs the right person to get it started.
I understand the need for some people to go with a certified group. This is the problem. If I were looking to find a paranormal team and did not know anything about them, yes I would go with the certified group. There is no legit certification in this field.
Their is "Certification" in every field such as Hypnotherapy, Nursing, Counseling, Healing, etc. I am a member of the "International Board of Paranormal" and I'm "Certified" with many other professionals who work in Paranormal. The key is to find a professional membership organization and join.
Well explain how you get certified in paranormal investigation. I know there are certification programs for it, but how is it justified?
How is it justified? With working experience: Conducting paranormal investigation with experienced professionals (for no less than 25 field appointments). First step is to join a group of paranormal investigators that will be willing to train you. When the group you have joined feels your ready for certification, then you submit your information to a (outside) organization that will review and grant you certification. Certification is based on experience, by way of "on the job training".
Well, Rob, I am a founder of a paranormal group out of Indiana. I have been investigating for over 3 years. There are very few groups that I know of that are certified. I checked out your site and you do not even offer any type of education you just charge a yearly fee and give whoever a certificate? Wow.
Now my challenge to the Paranormal Board. I pose three questions for your consideration: Please provide supporting arguments for all answers. Because I have the answers and can provide support for my conclusions in every case. And get technical!! Because I certainly will!
1. What is the relationship between paranormal activity and the EMF meter?
2. Under what conditions can a digital voice recorder be used for EVPs?
3. Why are spirits caught more readily under IR lighting than visible light?
Sorry, but not only is this a scam, it is an illegal scam. According to 100% of the state laws on the books, the only entity entitled to offer any type of certification, is the Dept. of Education in that state. This allows the state to regulate the course study and testing required to issue that certification. You can obtain a certificate that you completed a course, but you can NOT be issued a certification (no they are not the same) in a field of study or job except through the Dept of education for your state. Those issuing false certifications are subject to fines and/or jail time if caught. Period, end of story.
Then who exactly is supposed to issue the certification/license? The International Board of Paranormal? A bogus organization that takes money in exchange for paper? What requirements are there to become "certified"? Sure, we can "vote for certification" and there probably should be certification in this field, but by what common standards are groups or individuals to be certified? Yes, there is certification in other fields, but they are regulated, and usually require more than just a $125 fee and a ten question form. My father is a Certified Public Accountant, he studied for weeks and sweated through a rigorous test to achieve that certification. I'm studying to become a Cisco Certified Network Administrator, the study guide for that "certification" is over a thousand pages. And these are all relatively concrete subjects. What the IBOP is doing is a farce, and to the public it is creating a false sense of security for prospective clients and of professionalism for teams.
It seems really of great import to certain folks to incessantly argue semantics now doesn't it?
so should a client feel a sense of security from a team that has not been instructed on the basics the equipment they employ? ...the certification is only as reputable as the organization issuing it ...
people pay exorbitant amounts of money to get tarot card reading after all ...a certificate of course completion from an established team is what I would consider deceitful ...faking jacket collar tugs, flying bricks on strings to amass TV ratings and para-TV emulating " teams" comprised of convicted felons is what you should campaigning against...These certifications are not issued from an The International Board of Paranormal because there is none ...
I suppose it really boils down to who wants to feel like they have a need for certification and who doesnt. I personally will continue my passion for seeking answers to the unknown paranormal world just as i started... which was with a drive and curiosity to find answers to my questions. It has been going on my third year doing paranormal investigations, and I have gathered my experience and knowledge of digital equipment needed and used for paranormal investigations...( which is also varied from group to group what equipment they feel they need to do a "proper" paranormal investigation) in the field and simply by asking questions from other groups willing to answers and help each other out just for the sake of paranormal unity. I also have put in many hours of research via books, and online resources. Since then i have found answers to my personal questions on my own time and expense... that is and will continue to be good enough for me. Always willing to support paranormal unity.
This is ridiculous. The only "certification" you would need is your own experience, theories, ideas, and determination. Why do people feel that we have to put everyone in a box and tell them they need to conform to someone else's standards when in fact the standards are not conclusive? There are no standards or measures in the paranormal field, there is no conclusive evidence that what we as paranormal investigators know about the paranormal is concrete. So I ask you how can you justify paying money to become "certified" by someone else's standards and given a piece of paper that may not even be worth the money you pay for it. I would want to see a team that is professional or experienced. I don't care a fig about a "certification".
And if I were joining a paranormal team I would want to get along with them and would want to make sure they knew what they were doing...no piece of paper is going to tell me that.
I have been investigating the paranormal, off and on since 1979 and I have not ever nor will I ever have a certification. My next question would be: What branch or office of your State government licensed you to certify anyone for anything?
This is ridiculous. The only "certification" you would need is your own experience, theories, ideas, and determination. Why do people feel that we have to put everyone in a box and tell them they need to conform to someone else's standards when in fact the standards are not conclusive? There are no standards or measures in the paranormal field, there is no conclusive evidence that what we as paranormal investigators know about the paranormal is concrete. So I ask you how can you justify paying money to become "certified" by someone else's standards and given a piece of paper that may not even be worth the money you pay for it. I would want to see a team that is professional or experienced. I don't care a fig about a "certification".
And if I were joining a paranormal team I would want to get along with them and would want to make sure they knew what they were doing...no piece of paper is going to tell me that.
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