Due to recent changes in their certification process, the Colleague organ exam (CAGO) will no longer be available as a dual certification between NPM and
the American Guild of Organists.
Those who have already begun the registration process for the CAGO dual certification exam have three years from the start of registration for completion, regardless of this change. Moreover, NPM will continue to offer the Service Playing Certificate (SPC) as a dual certification opportunity with NPM and AGO.
For more information regarding these and other certifications, visit npm.org/certificates-and-certification.
Additional Information
The AGO is re-evaluating their CAGO/AAGO/FAGO exam process. In doing this review, it has begun to implement significant changes to its certification program, most notably the restructuring of the Colleague Exam (CAGO). This restructuring includes the addition of a third, written section to the CAGO exam. Consequently, if a candidate were to pursue dual certification with the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM), a fourth section would have been required to address the specific requirements of both organizations. This would require 4 sections for a candidate, which is something not asked until the AAGO and FAGO exams. This change has led to the discontinuation of the CAGO as a dual certification.
Individuals who began the registration process for the CAGO dual certification prior to these changes retain a three-year window from their registration date to complete the exam, despite the revised format and increased requirements. However, the NPM and AGO will maintain their dual certification offering for the Service Playing Certificate (SPC).
Furthermore, recognizing the importance of collaborative certification opportunities, the AGO and NPM are actively engaged in discussions and development to create new dual certification pathways in the future, aiming to better serve the needs of organists in both liturgical and concert settings.