Google Certified Trainer FAQ – Your Q’s Answered!

I am a Google Certified Educator, Trainer, and Innovator. Becoming Google Certified was a game-changer for me, both for my own professional learning and growth and it transformed my career path.

G Suite for Education is transforming classrooms across the globe. As a Google Certified Trainer, you can help teachers learn how to use Google tools meaningfully in the classroom and prepare students for future.

If you really want to become a Google for Education Certified Trainer, listen up!

[Tweet ” Google Certified Trainer FAQ – Your Q’s Answered! #googleET #googleedu #gttribe #edtech”]

Get the FREE eBook

How to Become a Google Certified Trainer eBook

Download this FREE PDF eBook: How to Become a Google Certified Trainer. 26 pages of step-by-step information to walk you through all of the requirements, exams, and application process.

Online Course

AND I have an in-depth online course to help more educators understand the path and skills needed to Become a Google Certified Trainer. Check out BecomeAGoogleTrainer.com for some free resources, free videos, information about the course, testimonials, and more!

Google Certified Trainer FAQ

Now, let’s move on to the nitty-gritty questions about becoming a Google Certified Trainer. Below are the most frequently asked questions (and answers) about the Google for Education Certified Trainer program.

What are the Google Certified Trainer program requirements?

There are a lot of requirements for the Google Certified Trainer Application and I have broken them down into six steps:

Complete a Trainer Course
Take the Trainer Skills Assessment
Become a Google Certified Educator Level 1
Become a Google Certified Educator Level 2
Film a Trainer Video
Apply

There’s a lot to know about each of these steps, and you don’t have to go in the order presented. Some of these steps are addressed in this post.

If you want to learn more about what it takes to become a Google Certified Trainer, check out this post: 6 Steps to Becoming a Google Certified Trainer in this post and infographic. In this post, you will find a detailed infographic, as well as a video in that post that will explain each of the 6 steps.

How much time does it take to become a Google Certified Trainer?

I’m afraid there is no easy answer here. It depends on a lot of factors, how much experience you have as a trainer, and where you are in the six steps.

If you refer to my infographic: 6 Steps to Google Certified Trainer, you will see there is a lot involved in the process.

Depending where you are on your journey, these steps could take a few weeks, a couple of months or a couple of years. So consider all of the requirements and your level of expertise and experience when trying to understand the time commitment.

I have created a planner to help with this process: The Ultimate Google Certified Trainer Planner and Checklist!

This planner is included as a bonus in my online course, The Google Certified Trainer Academy.

But I have also made it available for purchase separately here for only $14.99.

Do I have to be a classroom teacher to become a Google for Education Certified Trainer?

No. I get this question a lot. I myself, am no longer in the K12 classroom. I work as a consultant and trainer.

Here’s what Google says about who the program is for: “Google for Education Certified Trainers are passionate and driven education professionals with a desire to help others transform classrooms with technology. Whether you are a school’s go-to technologist, a stellar classroom teacher or an enterprising consultant, anyone is welcome to apply for membership in the program. Individuals with the following roles may be particularly good fits:

Instructional Technology Coach/Specialist
Teacher On Special Assignment
ICT Director/Coordinator”

What are the benefits of becoming a Google Certified Trainer:

Certified Trainer Digital Badge and Certificate
Visibility in Google for Education Directory: This means that schools and organizations can find you and seek you out to deliver training!
Membership to an exclusive community of trainers! You will be added to an exclusive Google Group with all of the other Certified Trainers across the globe, where you can ask questions, share resources, and collaborate.
Powerful, ready-to-use training & professional growth resources! You will also gain access to a shared folder of resources from Google and all of the other Google Certified Trainers. No need to reinvent the wheel every time you create a training or workshop.
G Suite for Education demo domain: You will be given special access to create your own G Suite domain to use during training.
An exclusive look at new Google product launches! Yep! Google asks you to sign an NDA so they can give you information about new products, updates, and more!
Opportunities to present across the country and beyond!
Opportunities to make extra money as a trainer!
Take your career to the next level!

And if this doesn’t convince you, check out this post about the benefits of Google Certification with testimonials from other Google Certified Trainers.

[Tweet “Wow! I had no idea there were so many benefits to becoming a #GoogleET!”]

Do I need to become Google Certified BEFORE I can deliver professional development on Google Apps?

NO!!! In fact, it is just the opposite. If your goal is to become a Google Certified Trainer, you must have a proven history of delivering Google training in schools. They want experienced trainers. You do not need Google’s stamp of approval before you can provide PD on Google Apps. Start working on your training resume now. Google is looking for the best and most experienced trainers!

Do I have to be a Level 1 or Level 2 Google Certified Educator first?

YES! Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2 are required for the Certified Trainer application. However, you can work on the three exams (Level 1, Level 2, and Trainer Skills Assessment) in any order that you choose. It does make sense to start with Level 1 if you are at the beginning. The trainer content is completely different from the educator content. The trainer course is about good pedagogy and best practices for training and adult learning. The educator content is about using G Suite in the classroom.

FREE Google Certified Educator Toolkits!

Grab one of my FREE toolkits to help you reach Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2.

What happens if my application is not accepted?

You can reapply at any time. To learn more about the application, check out my video walkthrough and tips for the application process: Everything You Wanted to Know About the Google Certified Trainer Application. The most common reasons for not being accepted into the program:

Applicant’s shared documents and videos were not viewable! Don’t forget to make them public before you submit!
Applicant doesn’t have enough previous training experience. Google is looking for applicants who already have a diverse history of delivering Google training.

How long does the certification last?

Unfortunately, you are not certified for life. Here are the requirements for maintaining your certification:

Conduct and report at least 12 training/coaching sessions per year
Share ideas and resources with our community of trainers
Resubmit your interest with an annual product update assessment.

Is it hard?

Yes! I’m not going to lie. This is not an easy process. This is an elite program of around 3000 globally. If it was easy, you wouldn’t want to be a part of it. It requires time learning, studying, taking tests, building your resume, and improving your training skills.

Bottom line: This certification is NOT for everyone! This is for trainers. That’s what’s so great about having all of the different certification options. But I want to be clear that this certification path is for a very specific role. So if you are already in a position to offer professional learning to educators, or if you are hoping to move in that direction, this may be the certification for you.

The Google Certified Trainer Academy Online Course FAQ

I offer an online course to help you on your journey to becoming a Google Certified Trainer.

Consider this your online, self-paced, bootcamp!

You can get all the details, videos, and free resources here: BecomeAGoogleTrainer.com. I also get a lot of questions about the course, so I’ve included those below.

[Tweet “Want to take a Google Certification Bootcamp from @ShakeUpLearning? Check this out!”]

What is the deadline to Join the Google Certified Trainer Academy?

This course opens for enrollment in May 2019. This course only opens twice/year (May and November). Join the waitlist to be notified on the details!

I’m In! When will I get access to the course?

Immediately! You can enroll today and move one step closer to becoming a Google Certified Trainer TODAY!

How long will I have access to the course?

How’s lifetime access? You will have access for the life of the course. At a minimum, you will have access to all the videos, tutorials, content, downloads, tips and tricks for ONE FULL YEAR! (Face-to-Face training cannot offer that!)

Does this course ALSO include help with Google Certified Educator Level 1 and Level 2?

No. This course is designed to help you reach the next level in the process and become a Google Certified Trainer, pass the Trainer Skills Assessment, and prepare the application and video.

I have two online courses to help you with Level 1 and Level 2. Go to GoogleCertifiedEducator.com to learn more!

What’s included in the course?

This self-paced, e-course includes EVERYTHING you need to know to pass the Trainer Skills Assessment AND complete the application requirements, including:

18 Video Lessons
Private Community and Study Group
The Ultimate Google Certified Trainer Planner and Checklist
Exam Tips
Application and Video Tips
PD Credit Certificate (12 hours)
BONUS 1: How to Design Google PD That Works
BONUS 2: How to Market Yourself as a Trainer
and much more!

How much is the course?

The standard course is $329. Payment plans are available and school purchase orders are accepted.

If I don’t like it, can I get my money back?

YES! This course has a 30-day Money Back Guarantee. If for any reason you aren’t satisfied with the course, we will refund your money.

FREE Webinar: How to Get Google Certified

Do you want to learn more about the certifications and what it takes to achieve each one?

Getting Google Certified can be daunting and confusing, so I put together this free webinar on How to Get Google Certified!

In this webinar, I will give you an overview of Google Certification, Google Certified Educator Level 1, Google Certified Educator Level 2, and Google Certified Trainer.

REGISTER for the Webinar

Google Certification Academies

I also teach online boot camps to walk you through all the skills and help you prepare for the exams. I have helped thousands of educators through these online, self-paced courses!

What’s Included in the Google Certification Courses?

Google Certified Educator Level 1 Academy

Everything you need to know to pass the exam and become a Google Certified Educator Level 1!

50 Video Lessons (hands-on learning with Kasey Bell)
20+ PDF Downloadable Study Material
Lesson Checks
Private Community & Study Group
Testing Tips
12 hours of Professional Learning Credit
BONUS 1: Includes the ENTIRE Google Classroom Master Class!
BONUS 2: Level 1 Challenges (performance tasks designed to mimic the exam)
and much more!
Payment plans and scholarships available
Bulk discounts! Get your whole school Google certified!
Learn more and see the course curriculum

Google Certified Educator Level 2 Academy

Everything you need to know to pass the exam and become a Google Certified Educator Level 2!

40+ Video Lessons (hands-on learning with Kasey Bell)
20+ PDF Downloadable Study Material
Lesson Checks
Private Community & Study Group
Testing Tips
12 hours of Professional Learning Credit
BONUS: Level 2 Challenges (testing scenarios)
and much more!
Payment plans and scholarships available
Learn more and see the course curriculum

Google Certified Trainer Academy

All You Need to Know to Prepare for the Trainer Skills Assessment and Application!

Becoming a Google Certified Trainer was one of the best decisions I ever made, and it transformed my learning and my career! This self-paced, online course includes EVERYTHING you need to know to pass the Trainer Skills Assessment AND complete the application requirements, including:

18 Video Lesson
Private Community & Study Group
Lesson Checks
Exam Tips
Application and Video Tips
12 Hours of Professional Learning Credit
BONUS 1: How to Design Google PD That Works
BONUS 2: How to Market Yourself as a Trainer
BONUS 3: The Ultimate Google Certified Trainer Planner and Check List (27-page, downloadable ebook!)
and much more!
Payment plans and scholarships available
Learn more and see the course curriculum

Pricing & Bundles

Below are the prices for individual licenses for each course. (Payment plans available.)

Level 1 Academy: $329 (or two payments of $179)
Level 2 Academy: $329 (or two payments of $179)
Trainer: $329 (or two payments of $179)

Don’t Pay Out of Pocket!

Teachers shouldn’t have to pay out of their own pockets to get the professional learning and training they need.

On each of the course pages listed above you will find information about scholarships, as well as editable documents to “Make the Case” with your administrator to pay for your training.

SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESSES: Purchasing these courses helps support the HUNDREDS of free resources that Shake Up Learning provides–free ebooks, cheat sheets, podcasts, blog posts, lesson plans, templates, tips, tutorials, and more. Thank you for supporting Shake Up Learning. We are a small, woman-owned business whose mission is to serve teachers.

G Suite Training for Schools

We have many programs to help your teachers learn how to meaningfully integrate Google tools and the entire G Suite in the classroom. From online courses to books, to face-to-face training, we got you covered!

COVID-19 forced many teachers and schools to scramble to find tools to deliver online assignments, design digital learning experiences, and G Suite was the number one suite of tools to help make this a reality.

Just in time resources and learning will help teachers, students, and parents survive the crisis. When we return to the new normal, G Suite skills will help set the foundation for more dynamic and meaningful learning in the classroom.

Get your entire campus or district on board with G Suite! Help your teachers learn more about G Suite tools, Google Classroom, and meaningful technology integration strategies. You can even help all your teachers become Google Certified Educators!

GSuiteTrainingforSchools.com

Check out all of the FREE Google Certification Resources from Shake Up Learning!

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How to Become a Google Certified Trainer eBook

Download this FREE PDF eBook: How to Become a Google Certified Trainer. 26 pages of step-by-step information to walk you through all of the requirements, exams, and application process.