As part of its Blueprint learning platform, Facebook is launching Blueprint Certification, a new credential for digital advertising professionals. Facebook says that “whether you are an agency or a digital marketer Facebook’s new Blueprint Certification can help you stand out in the industry.”

“As an agency you can set the bar for your existing staff, quickly identify and hire new talent with proven capabilities and confidentially pitch a broad range of work,” noted Facebook in their introductory video for Blueprint Certification. “As a digital marketer your qualifications and credentials are now objectively measured and verified so you stand apart from the competition.”

Blueprint Certification shows your mastery of specific job related skills including:

• Facebook Advertising
• Instagram Advertising
• Messenger Advertising
• Buying and Planning on Facebook properties
• Facebook Analytics and Reporting

Once a marketer passes their secure proctored online exam, they are awarded a badge that can be placed on Facebook pages, online resume, professional websites and on email signatures.

“No matter what your role is in the advertising industry, Blueprint Certification can give you the edge you need,” stated Facebook in their announcement. “Blueprint Certification helps digital advertising professionals differentiate themselves in a competitive job market, provides the advertising industry with a better understanding of Facebook advertising to help maximize ROI and gives businesses a way to select and retain people with expertise in the Facebook family of products and services. Blueprint Certification is not only the most rigorous and reliable measure of Facebook advertising competency, it’s the only one officially recognized by Facebook.”

Launching now is the Facebook Certified Planning Professional which is targeted to digital media planners for those proficient in planning successful Facebook advertising campaigns. This will be followed in the coming weeks by Facebook Certified Buying Professional targeted to media buyers who are “proficient in creating and buying Facebook advertising” with the maximum ROI.

Facebook says that marketing professionals will first select their certification paths and then take two proctored exams: the Facebook Advertising Core Competencies exam, and then the exam in their chosen specialty. Marketers can take the exam online with the use of a web-based Proctor the program will connect you with. with recertification required annually to demonstrate ongoing proficiency as Facebook products evolve. The exams are currently only available in English, with other languages rolling out over time.

Blueprint already offers Blueprint eLearning modules as well as hands on training via Blueprint Live.

“Blueprint Live is an interactive training program that we built for even seasoned clients that takes a case-based approach to learning,” says Ashley Gestrich in a Blueprint Live intro video. Gestrich was the Global Lead of Facebook Blueprint Live, but now works in marketing at Pinterest. “We’ve found that even seasoned clients learn better when they take concepts and apply them immediately so they stick. We actually give them a hypothetic brief or business plan and they take Facebook marketing principals and tell us how they bring them to life during a series of campaign based activities.”