Google have just announced the AdWords Certification Programme (which has been brought in to replace the Google AdWords Qualified Individual / Company certification).

Each Google AdWords Certified Individual will need to pass 2 Google exams, a Google Advertising Fundamental Exam and one advanced exam.

These exams will need to be taken on an Annual basis, and for existing qualified individuals they will need to take the new exam within six months of today (26th April 2010).

The budget qualification level (the amount of budget you needed to be looking after as a Google AdWords professional) has now been reduced dramatically – for a company it has reduced to $10,000 per quarter.

There will also be a new facility to search for a Google Partner, which will list Google Certified Individuals in one central location.

I absolutely welcome the new exams, as it ensures an indepth level of knowledge is maintained by those sporting the Google AdWords Certified Individual badge. My only slight concern is the reduction in the budget a certified company needs to be in charge of.

Anyway, I better start studying (again)!!