Education Provider Information

How to apply

  1. Complete the Application Form and prepare the documentation you will need to complete the application. Be sure to use the correct Application Form.
    Individual's Application Organization's Application
    PDF Version
    MS Word Version     		PDF Version
    MS Word Version
  2. Fill out the Application Form completely; attaching required attaching required supporting materials.
  3. Be sure to sign the application.
  4. You will hear back from BCR after review of your application, about eight weeks.
  5. If you were approved, you will send payment, based on the table below. Please make your check or money order out to the Western Council of State Libraries and mail your payment to Bibliographical Center for Research (BCR) 14394 East Evans Avenue, Aurora, Colorado, 80014-1478.

    Education Provider Type Cost
    A. Regional network, four-year college, university or state library $1000
    B. Two-year college $500
    C. Individual library, private educator $250

  6. After payment is received, you will receive a certificate.
  7. If you were not approved, you will receive a letter outlining the reasons why your certification was denied.
  8. Any appeals must be made within 60 days of receipt of the letter denying certification. All appeals should be made to the Executive Committee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why become an approved provider for the Library Practitioner Certification Program?

Being certified will allow your organization to promote your courses to those library practitioners eager to take classes that will lead to certification. Western Council approval will assure your students that they will receive a quality education experience.

If my organization is approved and we contract with a provider to teach a course, must that provider be approved?

Your approval means that your organization certifies that all its instructors meet Western Council approved provider requirements. These requirements are listed on the application form.

How will Western Council help me promote my classes?

After approval, you can use the logo (in development) in any of your promotion materials. Your status will be recognized on the Certification Program website. Also, Western Council urges you to list your online or hybrid courses on WebJunction’s E-Learning Catalog . Your listing will show that you are a Western Council approved provider.

How much does the program cost course providers?

Course providers pay an application fee based on the type of their organization.

Must certificate applicants take all courses from approved providers?

After 2012, all courses submitted by applicants must be from approved providers.

How must courses be offered?

Courses may be delivered online or in-person or in a combination of electronic and face-to-face formats.

Is there a renewal process?

Yes, every three years, providers will submit a renewal application to regain approval.