The Service Playing Certificate (SPC) is a widely recognized organ credential among churches and employers. The SPC exam is entirely practical, designed to mirror the flow of a worship service. It consists of ten core areas that assess an organist's ability to confidently and competently lead service music. Examinations can be conveniently administered by any local AGO chapter. The examination performance is recorded and subsequently submitted to AGO headquarters for thorough evaluation.

2025-26 SPC Examination Dates
Oct. 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026 (Applications open July 1, 2025 and are due between Sept. 1, 2025 and Feb. 1, 2026)

Examination Fees
Full Exam - $250 (Students $150)
Non-member surcharge - $115

For organists who have received the Service Playing Certificate or already have service playing proficiency, the Colleague Certification (CAGO) is the next logical step. The Colleague exam is both practical and written, assessing various areas including organ repertoire performance, keyboard skills, ear tests, fugue and musical analysis, and continuo realization. The CAGO exam can be administered by any local AGO chapter and is offered twice a year in May and November. The examination performance is recorded and subsequently submitted to AGO headquarters for thorough evaluation. Candidates may take one or both sections at a time.  If a candidate is unsuccessful in passing, individual parts of each section may be retaken.

2025-26 CAGO Examination Dates
Friday, Nov. 14, 2026 (Applications open July 1 and are due Oct. 15)
Friday, May 15, 2026 (Applications open Jan. 1, 2026 and are due March 1)

Examination Fees
Full Exam - $350 (Students $250)
Section 1 Practical - $200 (Students $150)
Section 2 Written - $100 (Students $100)
Non-member surcharge - $115

Pricing for Repeated Attempts
Section 1 Practical, Part 1 Organ Repertoire - $100 (Students $100)
Section 1 Practical, Part 2 Keyboard Skills - $100 (Students $100)
Section 2 Written - $100 (Students $100)
Non-member surcharge - $115

Choir Master Certification (ChM) attests to a candidate’s ability to lead a choir and establish effective procedures necessary for a successful choral program. The Choir Master exam is both practical and written, assessing various areas including rehearsal and direction of a small choir, demonstration of keyboard skills, ear tests, analysis, hymnody, liturgy, choral repertoire, and other related subjects. The ChM exam is administered at an AGO Examination Center. Candidates may take one or both sections at a time.  If a candidate is unsuccessful in passing, a section may be retaken.

2025-26 ChM Examination Date
Wednesday, June 3, 2026 (Applications open Jan. 1, 2026 and are due April 1)

Examination Fees
Full Exam - $500 (Students $400)
Section 1 Practical - $300 (Students $275)
Section 2 Written - $150 (Students $125)
Non-member surcharge - $115

Pricing for Repeated Attempts
Section 1 Practical - $300 (Students $275)
Section 2 Written - $150 (Students $125)
Non-member surcharge - $115 

The Associate Certification (AAGO) is the next level of certification after the CAGO. The Associate exam is both practical and written, assessing various areas including organ repertoire performance, keyboard skills, analysis, fugue, ear tests, aural perception, and composition. The AAGO exam is administered at an AGO Examination Center over two days, but if only the written portion is being taken, it can be administered by a local AGO chapter. Candidates may take one or both sections at a time.  If a candidate is unsuccessful in passing, individual parts of each section may be retaken.

2025-26 AAGO Examination Dates
Thursday, June 4 & Friday, June 5, 2026 (Applications open Jan. 1, 2026 and are due April 1)

Examination Fees
Full Exam - $475 (Students $375)
Section 1 Practical - $300 (Students $250)
Section 2 Written - $300 (Students $250)
Non-member surcharge - $115

Pricing for Repeated Attempts
Section 1 Practical, Part 1 Organ Repertoire - $150 (Students $125)
Section 1 Practical, Part 2 Keyboard Skills - $150 (Students $125)
Section 2 Written, Part 1 - $150 (Students $125)
Section 2 Written, Part 2 - $150 (Students $125)
Non-member surcharge - $115 

The Fellowship Certification (FAGO) is the highest level of professional certification. The Fellowship exam is both practical and written, assessing various areas including organ repertoire performance, keyboard skills, counterpoint and fugue, an essay, ear tests, orchestration, and composition. The FAGO exam is administered at an AGO Examination Center over two days, but if only the written portion is being taken, it can be administered by a local AGO chapter. Candidates may take one or both sections at a time.  If a candidate is unsuccessful in passing, individual parts of each section may be retaken.

2025-26 FAGO Examination Dates
Thursday, June 4 & Friday, June 5, 2026 (Applications open Jan. 1, 2026 and are due April 1)

Examination Fees
Full Exam - $475 (Students $375)
Section 1 Practical - $300 (Students $250)
Section 2 Written - $300 (Students $250)
Non-member surcharge - $115

Pricing for Repeated Attempts
Section 1 Practical, Part 1 Organ Repertoire - $150 (Students $125)
Section 1 Practical, Part 2 Keyboard Skills - $150 (Students $125)
Section 2 Written, Part 1 - $150 (Students $125)
Section 2 Written, Part 2 - $150 (Students $125)
Non-member surcharge - $115 

Candidates who are members in good standing of the National Association of Pastoral Musicians (NPM) may obtain Service Playing (SPC) certification from both organizations by earning a passing grade on the exam. In applying to AGO Headquarters for the exam, candidates must indicate their desire for joint certification.