The case for credentialism... as a hobby
November 10, 2022 11:38 AM Subscribe
What are examples of credentials that you can obtain by self-study?
My friend and I love to debate legal and constitutional issues over lunch, and we've joked that we should just become lawyers so that we can have even better lunch discussions. It's silly, of course, but I looked into it and it turns out that there are four states (California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) that allow you to pass the bar by simply "reading the law". This got me wondering: what are other (professional or hobbyist) credentials that one can obtain simply by self-study? Examples: the FCC commercial radio licenses are based just on exams, and you can also get a test-based certificate in French or Spanish (and probably other languages). However, it turns out that the CPA exam requires an undergraduate degree in accounting, so that's out. So, what else is out there?
My friend and I love to debate legal and constitutional issues over lunch, and we've joked that we should just become lawyers so that we can have even better lunch discussions. It's silly, of course, but I looked into it and it turns out that there are four states (California, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington) that allow you to pass the bar by simply "reading the law". This got me wondering: what are other (professional or hobbyist) credentials that one can obtain simply by self-study? Examples: the FCC commercial radio licenses are based just on exams, and you can also get a test-based certificate in French or Spanish (and probably other languages). However, it turns out that the CPA exam requires an undergraduate degree in accounting, so that's out. So, what else is out there?
There are a ton of technical topics you can self-study for and take an exam to get certified in, ranging from CompTIA's + series (A+, Network+, etc.) to the lower-level Cisco exams that add up to becoming a CCNA.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:02 PM on November 10, 2022
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:02 PM on November 10, 2022
You can obtain your Credencial [pilgrim passport] whether or not you get to Santiago de Compostella. It's sort of a licence to practice a bit of pilgrimage.
posted by BobTheScientist at 12:14 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by BobTheScientist at 12:14 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Actuarial exams.
posted by metasarah at 12:15 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by metasarah at 12:15 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
You could also just go bananas with LinkedIn Learning. It wouldn't necessarily make you an official expert on anything, but it would be a cheap and low-friction way to expand the number of things you could discuss at lunch with a fair degree of confidence.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:18 PM on November 10, 2022
posted by DirtyOldTown at 12:18 PM on November 10, 2022
Echoing DirtyOldTown...most if not all of the Microsoft certifications are open to you if you are willing to take one or more tests.
In years past some of the most intense certifications required actual participation in programs but I don't think there are many of those left.
The one exception I knew about was the Microsoft Certified Master for SharePoint which required you to have all sorts of pre-reqs in place and then be free to live in Seattle for a month to study and take the exam...oh it was 5 figures easy consider travel and housing costs. Here is a write up of that program.
I assume there are some first aid certifications that are open to self-study.
posted by mmascolino at 12:19 PM on November 10, 2022
In years past some of the most intense certifications required actual participation in programs but I don't think there are many of those left.
The one exception I knew about was the Microsoft Certified Master for SharePoint which required you to have all sorts of pre-reqs in place and then be free to live in Seattle for a month to study and take the exam...oh it was 5 figures easy consider travel and housing costs. Here is a write up of that program.
I assume there are some first aid certifications that are open to self-study.
posted by mmascolino at 12:19 PM on November 10, 2022
Note that in California "reading the law" is more like an apprenticeship, it's not self-study. I don't know about other states but based on the history of law I assume the same is true there.
posted by muddgirl at 12:40 PM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by muddgirl at 12:40 PM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
I think everywhere in the US allows you to get a drivers license simply by taking the written and practical exams. And depending on the state, you could get a firearms permit with little/no training.
If I'm reading this correctly, you could become a small charter boat captain by logging time driving your own boat around and then taking an exam (assuming you already have CPR/first aid credentials).
posted by backseatpilot at 12:54 PM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
If I'm reading this correctly, you could become a small charter boat captain by logging time driving your own boat around and then taking an exam (assuming you already have CPR/first aid credentials).
posted by backseatpilot at 12:54 PM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
You could become a accessibility professional, with self-study and an exam.
posted by Alensin at 12:59 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Alensin at 12:59 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Gain post-nominal letters by becoming a fellow of a learned society. The difficulty of obtaining a fellowship varies greatly: a friend of mine obtained a prestigious fellowship without relevant academic or professional experience merely by writing a very good letter.
posted by boudicca at 1:21 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by boudicca at 1:21 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
HAM radio
posted by Miko at 1:38 PM on November 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by Miko at 1:38 PM on November 10, 2022 [4 favorites]
In many states, you can become a notary public with self-study plus an exam (or just fill out a form and pay the fee.)
posted by blnkfrnk at 2:01 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by blnkfrnk at 2:01 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
Introduction level certifications for beer cicerone, court of sommeliers americas, and wine & spirit education trust, are all passable by self-study. The beer cicerone course, intro level, is online, as is the WSET intro course. The Court exam is in-person.
posted by winesong at 2:34 PM on November 10, 2022
posted by winesong at 2:34 PM on November 10, 2022
In related: specific credentials which intentionally do not require intensive study: Ordainment in the Universal Life Church.
posted by ovvl at 2:48 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ovvl at 2:48 PM on November 10, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you were in Queensland Australia, you could get what's colloquially known as a "magician's license" which allows you to keep rabbits for work purposes (they're considered a pest otherwise)
posted by creatrixtiara at 4:36 PM on November 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by creatrixtiara at 4:36 PM on November 10, 2022 [3 favorites]
LinkedIn Learning (as mentioned) has certification training for various widely recognized technical certifications. There are all sort of ways of obtaining this knowledge, and lots of libraries offer LinkedIn Learning. You still have to pay for and take the tests!
posted by lhauser at 5:26 PM on November 10, 2022
posted by lhauser at 5:26 PM on November 10, 2022
In the true spirit of Buster Bluth hobbyism, the Montana Bear Identification certificate is obtainable. Are there other adjectives needed to properly describe it? Probably not.
posted by matrixclown at 5:39 PM on November 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by matrixclown at 5:39 PM on November 10, 2022 [5 favorites]
The course & test for becoming a Section 508 Trusted Tester for Web is free and while I think there is some time limit on it, I think it's at least 6 months (it's been a while since I've taken it). It's not the easiest but you will learn a lot and people find it impressive. Even if you're not interested in using it for your career, if you're any kind of hobbyist web developer (like if you have a Wordpress site, even), it's beneficial when it comes to knowing what makes websites accessible.
posted by edencosmic at 5:44 PM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by edencosmic at 5:44 PM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]
You can self-study for the official Chinese Proficiency Test (usually called HSK). The first few levels are written-only tests and it is definitely possible to self-study. Once the oral exams start an applicant should have a tutor.
posted by muddgirl at 6:05 PM on November 10, 2022
posted by muddgirl at 6:05 PM on November 10, 2022
Actuarial exams.
Can you actually become a qualified actuary just by doing the exams, though? I though you needed qualifying experience.
posted by atrazine at 2:26 AM on November 11, 2022
Can you actually become a qualified actuary just by doing the exams, though? I though you needed qualifying experience.
posted by atrazine at 2:26 AM on November 11, 2022
FEMA has all the training you need to lead response to huge forest fires, submit flood claims or identify a radioactive car wreck.
posted by unknown knowns at 10:19 PM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by unknown knowns at 10:19 PM on November 11, 2022 [1 favorite]
I earned an Oregon Real Estate Broker license and it was all self-study online. I had to have someone witness my exams but it was otherwise simple. I think I remember paying less than $200 including books.
posted by bendy at 8:34 PM on November 12, 2022
posted by bendy at 8:34 PM on November 12, 2022
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posted by Jeanne at 11:50 AM on November 10, 2022 [2 favorites]