Did you know that you can earn Orton Gillingham certification through OGRS?
We now offer a leveled certification program that allows you to get your initial certification within one year!
Why should I become certified through OGRS?
While there are other organizations that provide certification, each of them has a slightly different approach to teaching OG, differing qualifications for becoming certified, and different benefits. Our goal is to provide the most member benefits while creating a vibrant Orton Gillingham Professional Learning Community for you (The OG PLaCe) – all in addition to maintaining your credential!
More about The OG PLaCe below!
Who can apply for Orton Gillingham certification through OGRS?
Any educator who has completed Orton Gillingham training through Orton Gillingham Reading Specialists and has approval from the course instructor.
How long does it take to become certified?
It depends on what level of certification you want and how much work you’ve done already. Check this prerequisites chart to see how your current level of training matches the certification requirements.
| C-OGRS-I | Certified to teach Beginning Readers | 35 | 120 supervised | 6 |
| C-OGRS-II | Certified to teach Intermediate Readers | 60 | 240 supervised | 12 |
| C-OGRS-III | Certified to teach Advanced Readers | 72 | 1200 independent | 18 |
| C-OGRS-IV | Master Specialist - Highly experienced and trained for all Readers | 87 | 6000 independent | 28 |
| C-OGRS-V | Instructor of Reading Specialists | TBD | TBD | TBD |
OK, but how do I earn these coursework and practicum hours for Certification?
To get your C-OGRS-I Certification:
- Take the OG Level I Training course.
- Take one Extended Practicum.
- Get approval from your OG Fellow.
- Complete your certification application.
To get your C-OGRS-II Certification:
- Take the OG Level II Training course.
- Take one Extended Practicum.
- Get approval from your OG Fellow.
- Complete your certification application.
I don’t have enough practicum hours and/or observations. How do I get more?
For the first two certification levels – take our Extended Practica!
Sign up for an Extended Practicum – you will receive up to 60 supervised practicum hours with our students for each practicum taken, with an option for three or four full-length observations.
For higher certification levels, your total hours would be a combination of supervised practica with us and independent work with students.
I’m ready to apply for Orton Gillingham certification. How do I get started?
- Double-check the prerequisites chart to see if you have the necessary coursework hours, practicum hours, and observations to apply.
- Request an application!
- Call (952) 920-9280 and speak with our Executive Director or email her at abbe@ogreading.com, or fill out the Contact Us section at the bottom of any page on our website.
How much does it cost to apply for certification?
The application fee for each level of certification is $185.00.
What happens if I apply for certification and am deferred?
We will advise you about what you need to do to move forward. (A refresher training, an Extended Practicum, or just more practice.) If you reapply, you will not have to pay another application fee for the certification level for which you were deferred.
How do I maintain my certification and membership each year?
- Complete 10 OGRS Professional Development Hours; submit them in your The OG PLaCe membership portal.
- Pay The OG PLaCe membership dues annually.
How do I get OGRS Professional Development Hours?
See the extensive list of OGRS-approved learning opportunities on our Let's Keep Learning page in The OG PLaCe. Some examples are:
- OGRS Recitations and Advanced Seminars
- Topical Books
- Attending the Mastery Series hosted by OGRS
- Webinars
- Conference Attendance
What’s included in The OG PLaCe Membership?
It depends on your membership level.
| Maintain your Orton Gillingham Certification | x | |
| Be listed in our Membership Directory | x | x |
| Q & A with Karen Sonday | x | x |
| Access to OGRS teaching materials | x | x |
| Access to The OG PLaCe Forum | x | x |
| Novice Level Recitations | x | x |
| Practitioner Level Seminars | x | |
| Access to OG Instruction Videos | x | |
| Latest Resources | x | |
| Annual The OG PLaCe Membership | $229 | $279 |
What are some of the recitation/seminar topics?
| Novice Level Recitations | Practitioner Level Seminars |
| What makes a strong lesson plan? | Assimilated Prefixes |
| Syllable Division | High-Level Syllables |
| Pre-Reading Skills | Endings Rules |
| Using Eliciting Questions | Advanced Level Error Correction |
| Principles of OG | Advanced Suffixes |
| What is Structured Literacy | Teaching Roots |
How long is each of the recitations and seminars? Ninety minutes (Earns 1.5 OGRS CEUs)