Becoming a PGA Member: Step 15

On October 1, 2018, exactly two years, two months, and three days after I first embarked on this journey, I officially became one of the 29,000 PGA of America Members. Election happens on the first day of every month, and the email confirmation arrived in my inbox early on the morning of the 5th. It read:

Congratulations!

You are officially a Member of the PGA of America.

Earning your membership marks a significant milestone in your career, which you now share with PGA Members who have been achieving this goal for over 100 years.

In the next few weeks, you will receive your New Member Kit, which includes your membership card and certificate. Also, please review your new PGA.org profile, which now reflects your status as a PGA Member and provides helpful resources regarding Membership Benefits, Employment, Member Service Requirements and Continuing Education opportunities.

As part of your election to membership, a dues invoice has been created for the remainder of the current year as a member. That invoice is payable with sixty (60) days of your election date. In addition, you have the option to assign a dues proxy (any individual who will be responsible for the payment of your invoice; ie: employer, accounts payable clerk, parent, agent, etc). To assign a dues proxy, click here.

As a member, you will be required to earn Member Service Requirements for Cycle 15 A. These requirements will appear on your PGA.org profile and are pro-rated based upon your date of election.

Please contact the PGA Membership Services Department at 800-474-2776 if you need assistance with this or with any membership matter.

Once again, congratulations on achieving PGA of America Membership.

Sincerely,

Tom Brawley, Senior Director
Membership Services

My Kit, which included my new PGA Member card  (and one for my spouse), arrived in the mail on October 18th. Again, I’m really proud of the relatively short amount of time it took me to finally get here. On average, it takes four to four-and-a-half years for Apprentices to complete the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGM) Program. It’s a lot of work, and I certainly couldn’t have done it alone. There are plenty of “thank yous” to go around, and my job is only just beginning. Now it’s up to me to help “promote interest, participation, and enjoyment in the game of golf.”

Next On the Tee
Maintain PGA Membership by Member Service Requirement (MSR) credits. Members must earn fifty-four (54) Total Credits each three-year cycle (June 16, 2018 through June 15, 2021 is Cycle 16, for example) of which at least 36 must come from Meeting/Education/Player Development/Professional Standards and Data. You also have to pay your new amended dues invoice within 60 days of your election date and review your profile on PGA.org as mentioned above.

Previous Steps
Step 1 – In order to become a PGA member, you first have to become a registered apprentice and go through the PGA Professional Golf Management (PGA PGM) Program. It takes up to three years to complete all 11 steps. Step 1 is pretty self-explanatory. To register into the PGA PGM Program, you have to register or re-register as an apprentice and complete a Background Check. (Cost: $58.99)

Step 2 – You’re not considered a PGA Apprentice until you satisfy all the requirements at the Qualifying Level and register as an apprentice. At the Qualifying Level, applicants must complete three online courses: Introduction to the PGM and the Golf Profession, PGA History and Constitution, and Rules of Golf 1 as well as pass a knowledge test based on the three courses. (Cost: $200)

PGA Qualifying Test – This 90-minute, 75 question test is administered by PSI Exam centers nationwide. The test covers three online courses: Introduction to the PGM and the Golf Profession, PGA History and Constitution, and Rules of Golf 1. A clean, unmarked copy of the Rules of Golf is permitted into the testing center and a score of 70% is required to pass. (Cost: $40)

Step 3 – The 36-hole, one-day Playing Ability Test (PAT) at a PGA Approved Golf Course requires a target score within 15 shots of the course rating in order to pass. The $160 total cost includes the $100 pre-registration fee as well another $60 paid on-site to cover the cost of green fees, cart fee, range balls, and lunch. (Cost: $160)

Step 4 – Print out the PGA PGM Program Application, get it signed by your Current Employer/Intermediate Supervisor, and then fax or email it back to the PGA. Be sure to include proof of your highest level of education and a copy of Work Permit or Employment Visa if you’re not a U.S. Citizen.

The last page of the application is a combination of National Fees ($60), Section Fees ($250), Liability Insurance ($25), Life Insurance ($34), a Registration Fee ($200), and the Level 1 Online Course Access Fee ($560). Once your registration is approved, you’ll have access to the Level 1 courses through the PGA Knowledge Center. (Cost: $1,129)

Step 5 – Register for the PGM 2.0 Level 1 Seminar in Florida
The all-inclusive package includes five days of classes, airfare to West Palm Beach (from the city you prefer to fly out of), lodging for the week (it’s $500 more for your own hotel room if you don’t want to share with another Apprentice for the five days), ground transportation, and breakfast and lunch each day. (Cost: $2,000)

Apprentices registered after January 1, 2010, can view and/or download PGA PGM 2.0 curriculum information online.

Step 6 – Level 1 Work Experience Portfolio
The average student takes 26 months to pass Level 1: the Portfolio and all five tests. That’s ridiculous! In the right environment, a properly motivated Apprentice can easily complete the task in less than two months. It’s not difficult, but it is time consuming and, at times, tedious. (Cost: $0)

Step 7 – Level 1 Test Battery
The five-test battery consists of 240 questions and took a little more than 90 minutes to complete. Check out the study guide I posted here, and really focus on the Golf Car Fleet Management section, which more Apprentices fail than any other. (Cost: $78, Retakes: $32)

Step 8 – Register for the PGM 2.0 Level 2 Seminar in Florida
This is just like Step 5. The PGA is now working with a new travel agency called Omega World Travel, but the accommodations are still the same: airfare to West Palm Beach from whichever city you prefer, lodging, and two meals per day. Oh, and don’t forget about the $350 access fee for the Level 2 online pre-seminar courses, which you have to pay beforehand. (Cost: $2,350)

Steps 9 & 10 – Level 2 Work Experience Portfolio and Level 2 Test Battery
We’re now well into the rinse and repeat stage of the PGA Class A Certification Process! Once your Portfolio is approved, you will need to pass a four-test battery consisting of 176 questions. Be sure to check out my Study Guide before you take the test. (Cost: $78, Retakes: $32)

Step 11 – Register for the PGM 2.0 Level 3 Seminar in Florida
This is just like Steps 5 and 8. Nothing new to report here. Just like Level 2, access to the online pre-seminar courses is $350. You have to pay that before you book your trip. (Cost: $2,350)

Steps 12, 13, & 14 – Level 3 Work Experience Portfolio, Level 3 Test Battery, Apply for Membership
By know, you know the drill! But this time, as soon as you schedule your Level 3 Test Battery, you can and should Apply for PGA Membership by filling-out Form 302 online at pga.org and emailing it to Member Services at membershipapps@pgahq.com for preliminary processing. (Cost: $78, Application: $0)

Note:
If you’ve been convicted of a felony, misdemeanor or equivalent, you should submit documentation to the PGA Membership Department to determine eligibility for PGA Membership prior to proceeding. Per the PGA Code of Ethics, certain transgressions are cause for permanent preclusion to PGA Membership.