The American Guild of Organists was chartered in 1896 by the Board of Regents, University of the State of New York, to administer a comprehensive series of examinations for professional certification. Examinations have played a central role in the Guild’s work since its founding. Being professionally certified can play a major role in your life and career. For additional details, see the AGO Professional Certification Requirements for 2025.
2025 Examination Dates and Fees
The next exam is scheduled for June 5 and 6, 2025 (paperwork section both mornings; organ playing one of the afternoons). Both sections, $450; single section $350. Student rate: both sections, $325; single section $250. Surcharge for non-AGO members is $115. Application deadline is April 1, 2025.
New in 2025: Pricing for Repeated Attempts
Repeat attempt at organ repertoire performance portion of Section 1 (practical), $175 (student rate, $125).
Repeat attempt at keyboard skills portion of Section 1 (practical), $175 (student rate, $125).
Repeat attempt at first session of Section 2 (written), $175 (student rate, $125).
Repeat attempt at second session of Section 2 (written), $175 (student rate, $125).
Educational Resources for Associateship Certification
Videos Demonstrating Certification Exam Procedures
2024 Manual of Procedure for Certification
100 Strategies for Successful AGO Certification
Detailed Professional Certification Requirements (2025)
Webinars for Associateship Certification
Monday, May 13, 2024
Compositional Techniques (AAGO, ChM, and FAGO)
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO,
Monday, May 6, 2024
Ear Tests (AAGO, ChM, and FAGO)
Ear Test Handout
Ear Test Solutions
Q&A
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO,
Monday, April 29, 2024
Fugue (AAGO, FAGO)
Q&A
Presented by Vince Carr FRCO,
Monday, April 24, 2023
Transposition (CAGO, AAGO and FAGO)
Presented by Gregory Gyllsdorff FAGO, ChM
Handout
Monday, March 27, 2023
Fugue: Modulation, Episode (AAGO and FAGO)
Presented by Eva Sze FAGO
Handout
March 20, 2023
Fugue: Subjects, Answer, Countersubject (AAGO and FAGO)
Presented by Eva Sze FAGO
Handout
Past Exams for Associateship Certification
Associateship Exam 2024
Associateship Exam 2023
Associateship Exam 2022 Solutions for the 2022 exam Ear Test A Ear Test B
Associateship Exam 2021 Solutions for the 2021 exam
The 2020 Associateship exam was cancelled due to the pandemic.
Associateship Exam 2019 Solutions for the 2019 exam
Associateship Exam 2018 Solutions for the 2018 exam
Associateship Exam 2017 Solutions for the 2017 exam
Associateship Exam 2016 Solutions for the 2016 exam
Associateship Exam 2015 Solutions for the 2015 exam
Associateship Ear Training Exercises
The ear training exercises below are offered by the AGO Certification Committee for candidates to use to prepare for Associateship certification. Click on an example and then refer to the Ear Training Solutions.
Please note that for study purposes, the suggested pause time for each example is 60, “however, candidates are only allotted 30” during the actual exam.
Purchase the repertoire for the Associateship Exam at Cliff Hill Music or Lois Fyfe Music.
