Role-Playing Game Professionals

This page helps provide a starting point for people interested in learning more about how to become paid professional in the role-playing game _services_ industry across recreation, entertainment, professional development, executive training, retreats, education, therapeutic and other healthcare fields of service.

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IMPORTANT NOTICE, FIRST AND SECOND EDITION ROLE-PLAYING GAME PROFESSIONAL TRAINING IS OFFICIALLY ENDED AS OF JULY 2023.

WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON CONVERTING ALL INFORMATION ON THE WEBSITE, ONLINE LEARNING PLATFORM, TESTING PLATFORM, AND BOOKS TO THE NEW THIRD EDITION CERTIFIED ROLE-PLAYING GAME PROFESSIONAL THIRD EDITION (CRPGP 3E) STANDARDS.

WE ARE ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS TO OUR TRAINING AND TESTING WAIT LIST FOR THIRD EDITION TRAINING HERE:

www.rpgworkshops.com

TRAINING IS SCHEDULED TO RESUME IN OCTOBER 2023

The Highest Standard Available for Comprehensive Holistic Role-Playing Game Professional Training

Supported by professionals with decades of real-world experience, including some with over 45 years of directly involved hands-on role-playing game research and evidence-in-practice, we have trainees across 6 continents!

All of our programs  endeavor to follow comprehensively holistic (whole systems) as well as open source principles of sharing and attribution , beginning with our founder Hawke Robinson (introduced as the "Grandfather of Therapeutic [role-playing] Gaming") since the late 1970s onward.


Furthermore our intensive, comprehensive, holistic (as in whole systems, not woo-woo meaning) approach to role-playing game professional programs continually evolve and expand across many disciplines and are directly informed by evidence-in-practice from diverse knowledge domains including (but not limited to):  community programs, education, nursing, recreation, entertainment, professional for-profit and non-profit services, music, computer sciences, legal and political, therapeutic, non-profit, neurosciences, cognitive neuropsychology, research psychology, Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT),  Therapeutic Recreation (TR) and Recreational Therapy (RT).

More recently we have also noticed that our decades-long approaches and principles are very much in line with the 2018 Open Science by Design from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineers, and Medicine.


We offer multiple training paths for role-playing game master professional training certificates, workshops, and certification:

  • Recreation

  • Entertainment

  • Education

  • Healthcare



Register for our Wait List


What is Most Notable About our Role-Playing Game Professional Training?

* The Most Comprehensively Complete RPG Professional Training Available

* A Holistic (whole systems) Approach

* Built From  45+ Years of Direct Continuously Tested and Updated Research & Evidence-in-practice Experience

* Multiple Training Options, across free through paid ranges

* Global Offerings, with trainees across 6 continents

* All 4 RPG Formats: Tabletop (TRPG), Live-Action (LRPG), Electronic (ERPG), and Hybrids (HRPG)

* 4 Primary RPG Professional Knowledge Domains and Training Paths: recreation, entertainment, education, & healthcare

* 20 Levels of Increasing Expertise Toward Mastery

* 12 to 26 Courses Per Level (typically 4 hours training per course, plus hands-on applied and peer reviewed work)

* Avoids Vendor Lock-in: Training covers wide range of available products, no lock-in to one product / license

* Theoretical, research, classroom, lab, community, and practical experience and supervision options

* Live In-Person and Online Course and Hands-on Experience Options **

* Self-Paced and Self-Study Online and Book Options **

* Includes business, legal, political, insurance, social, and other professional issues

* Extensive Supervisor and Peer-Reviewed Hands-on Labs **

* Hands-on Supervised Community Hours **

* Extensive peer-supported, supervisor-and-peer-reviewed sessions, documents, and training progression **

* Frequent RPG Conference and other regular associated events available for ongoing professional development and CEUs **

* Annually updated material based on the latest research and in-the-field evidence-in-practice (freely available online)

* CEUs available for an increasing number of professionals ** (contact for latest details)

* Working toward additional  accreditation (lengthy processes underway)

** Some limitations may apply

4 Training and Payment Options Available

1. Free training as a dedicated volunteer at the 501(c)3 non-profit RPG Research.
2. Online self-paced paid courses through the RPG.Education Learning Management System (LMS).
3. Individual paid courses through RPG Workshops.
4. Work toward full certification as a Certified Role-Playing Game Professional (CRPGP) through CRPGP.com.


Current Options Available

Admission for new trainees via the RPG Research volunteer diploma program is typically opened once or twice per year, depending on instructor availability. Admission windows are variable, watch the organization's Blog and Social Media postings for admission window openings and wait list options.

As of late 2022 and early 2023 there is currently training actively underway for existing students participating in components of training levels 1 through 17.

Admissions for new trainees is generally open once or twice per year, usually between either December to January, and/or May to June,  each year.

The RPG.Education LMS self-paced course options will soon be available for enrollment year-round.

There are various books available (or soon to be available in 2023) for purchase for Level 1 trainees since 2019, with Level 2 and 3 books slated for publication in late 2023, levels 3 through 6 in 2024. Books include: Workbooks, Study Guides, Collected Works, Handbooks of Practice, and more.


Additional Possible Options In Development

RPG Training Intensive Retreats and Camps - have been intermittently available for many years, working toward more regular offerings.

RPG Academies.

Accredited university courses/credits worldwide.


RPG Professionals

RPG Professional Authorized Service Providers and Trainers

This section of this page provides a list of Role-Playing Game Professional Authorized Service Providers (RPGP-ASP) and Trainers.

This section provide a list of authorized "Certified Role-Playing Game Professional" service and training providers we recognize as authorized to provide training and related services following our professional standards.

Note that each provider might only provide a subset of services or only a portion of the training covering the  full list of qualifications for earning the Certified Role-Playing Game Professional certification.

For a list of currently Certified Role-Playing Game Professionals, see www.crpgp.com/certified-professionals/directory (coming soon!).

Interested in becoming an RPGP-ASP? Contact Us!

RPG.LLC / RPG Therapeutics LLC


For-profit, paid services.

Full range of professional service delivery, training programs, and certification programs.

Full range of services.

Online, mobile, and on-site services.

20+% of profits donated to non-profit RPG Research.

More Information

RPG Research


Non-profit, free services.

Donation and volunteer supported.

Services available online and on-site (limited on-site service delivery area). Not all services or training available. Excellent hands-on experience opportunities as volunteer trainee. This is the company where it all begins, evolves, and is continuously updated. It can be a chaotic, but very rewarding and supportive, environment. See why hundreds of volunteers across 6 continents have supported RPG Research with their spare hours for many years.

Volunteer-run. Limited services, but extensive training options. Training diploma instead of full certification (potentially transferable to full certification).

A 501(c)3 non-profit research and human services organization studying the effects of all role-playing game formats. If you do not have the budget for our full training program, and you are willing to "give back to the community" as a volunteer trainee, this is an excellent option.

More Information

Training Options

Other Service Options

Volunteer

Donate


RPG.Education


For-profit, paid services.

Only training and testing program options.

A la carte and bundl options.

Includes self-study options, no other services delivered.

Provides all services online.

More Information

RPG.Workshops


For-profit, paid services.

A la carte services and bundles.

Only training and testing program options.

Includes live in-person and online workshops.

 

More Information

RPG Academies (In Development)


Details coming in late 2023 / early 2024.

  

More Information

 

Other Third-Party Resources You May Want to Consider (Listing is not Endorsement)

While we take great pride in providing the most rigorous and holistic training for role-playing game professionals available, for some people, other options might be a better fit. Be sure to check out our a la carte and bundle offerings to purchase single training sessions or small bundles, for those not working toward certification.

Other options are available from other companies and individuals, and we're not afraid to list them here to help serve the greater community. :-)


The resources listed below are not currently part of the RPG Professional Providers network, and/or have not completed our professional training or service provider application requirements. The are not Role-Playing Game Professional Authorized Service Providers.

This listing is not an endorsement of their services, merely provided as information as a service to the greater community.

However, as far as we know they are reputable service providers in their own areas of expertise. 

Please do perform proper research and due diligence before engaging any service provider (including our own).

If you have any concerns, or would like consideration to add you or your organization to this list, please Contact Us.

CRPGP (3e)

Certified Role-Playing Game Professional, Third Edition

Role-Playing Game Professional

Training Advancement Outline

RPGP Advancement Outline, Third Edition (Revised)

Version: 20230916n

by W.A. Hawkes-Robinson


Tier

Levels

Prerequisites

4-hour Training Sessions

Average Overall Experience Hours (Credits)

Details

I. Applicant/Candidate Trainee

0

Age 9+ (9-12 requires guardian attendance, 13-17 requires parental release). Complete Applicant trainee, pass interviews, accept offer, finalize paperwork, schedule and attend training.

4

~20 (0.25)

Book Volumes 1. Pass Test at end of training to change from Applicant Trainee to become Candidate Trainee. CoC, IF, Formats Intro. Certificate.

I. Novice Trainee

0

Pass Background Check and passed Candidate Trainee tests.

8

~100 (1.5)

Book Volumes 1. Novice Test at end of training to become Novice Trainee, and starting training as Apprentice Trainee. Certificate.

II. Apprenticeship

1 - 4

Passed all Novice Trainee Tests.

60

~100 to ~1,000 (~20)

Book Volumes 2. Begin as Novice Trainee working toward becoming a Novice Apprentice. Pass Each Apprentice Test to become the Title, for example pass Novice Apprentice Test to change from Novice Trainee to Novice Apprentice. Certificate or Diploma.

III. Journeyman

5 - 9

Pass all apprenticeship tests.

240

~1,000 to ~6,000 (~100)

Book Volumes 3. To become “Associate Journeyman Trainee”, when pass the Associate Journeyman Test, title will become “Associate Journeyman”, etc. Once Journeyman can run programs without constant oversight, but must still be under a Professional+ general supervision.

IV. Professional

10 - 14

Pass Journeyman Tests

288

~6,000 to ~16,000 (~260)

Book Volumes 4

V. Senior Professional

15 - 17

Pass Professional Tests

336

~16,000 to ~25,000 (~400)

Book Volumes 5

VI. Professional Mentor

18 - 20

Pass Senior Professional Tests

144

~25,000 to ~34,000 (~500)

Book Volumes 6. See details at rpgp.com/professional-mentor

VII. RPG Executive

21+

Pass Professional Mentor Tests

+48 per level

~34,000+

Book Volumes 7. See list at rpgp.com/rpg-executives



Professional Specialist

varies

Completed RPGP1 or higher

+24 per specialty


Training hours plus 200 verified related population hours per specialty. (~5 per)

Various Volumes. See list at rpgp.com/specializations


Tier

Title

Initialism

Level

Prerequisites

Training Sessions

Overall Average Training and Work Experience Hours (Approx. Credits)

Minimum 1-2 (4-hour) sessions per week

Part Time 3-5 (4-hour) sessions per week

Full time 32-40 hours per week

Notes

I

Candidate

Applicant / Candidate Trainee

n/a

0

none

4 sessions: 1 to 4

0 to 20 (0.25)

0 to 4 weeks RED

1 week

3 days

Workbook Volume 1A

Study Guide Volume 1B

or Book Collection I

I

Trainee

Novice Trainee (C)

NRPGPT

0

Pass background check.

Pass Candidate Trainee Test.

8 sessions: 5 to 12

48 to 99 (1.5)

5 to 12 weeks RED

1 to 2 weeks

1 week

Workbook Volume 1A

Study Guide Volume 1B

or Book Collection I. Completion = Novice Trainee Certificate.

II

Apprentice

Novice Apprentice (C)

NARPGP

1

Must have Novice Trainee Certificate

12 sessions: 13 to 24

100 to 199 (3)

12 to 24 weeks ORANGE

3 to 5 weeks

(1 month)

2 to 3 weeks

Workbook Volume 2A

Study Guide Volume 2B

or Book Collection II. Completion = Novice Apprentice Certificate


Junior Apprentice (C)

JARPGP

2

Must have Novice Apprentice Cert

12 sessions: 25 to 36

200 to 299 (3)

13 to 25 weeks ORANGE

5 to 10 weeks (1 - 3 months)

3 to 5 weeks (1 month)

Workbook Volume 3A

Study Guide Volume 3B

or Book Collection II. Completion = JA Cert


Apprentice (C)

ARPGP

3

Must have Junior Apprentice Cert

12 sessions: 37 to 48()

300 to 499 (3)

25 to 55 weeks ORANGE

10 to 25 weeks (2 to 5 months)

5 to 13 weeks (1-3 months)

Workbook Volume 4A

Study Guide Volume 4B

or Book Collection II. Completion = Apprentice Certificate.


Senior Apprentice (D)

ARPGP

4

Must have Apprentice Cert.

24 sessions: 49 to 72

500 to 999 (8)

(~20 total)

~1 to 2 years YELLOW

25 to 50 weeks

(5 to 12 months)

13 to 25 weeks

(3-6 months)

Workbook Volume 5A

Study Guide Volume 5B

or Book Collection II. Completion = Senior Apprentice Diploma.

III

Journeyman

Associate Journeyman (C)

AJRPGP

5

Must have Senior Apprentice Diploma

48 sessions: 73 to 144

1,000 to 1,999 (16)

2 to 4 years GREEN

1 to 2 years

25 to 50 weeks

(5-12 months)

Workbook Volume 6A

Study Guide Volume 6B

or Book Collection III. Completion = Associate Journeyman Certificate.


Junior Journeyman (C)

JJRPGP

6

Must have Associate Journeyman Certificate

48 sessions: 145 to 192

2,000 to 2,999 (16)

4 to 6 years BLUE

2 to 3 years

1 to 2 years

Workbook Volume 7A

Study Guide Volume 7B

or Book Collection III. Compeltion = Junior Journeyman Certificate


Journeyman (C)

JRPGP

7

Must have Junior Journeyman Certificate

48 sessions 193 to 240

3,000 to 3,999 (16)

6 to 10 years BLUE

3 to 5 years

1.5 to 3 years

Workbook Volume 8A

Study Guide Volume 8B

or Book Collection III. Completion = Journeyman Certificate.


Senior Journeyman (C)

SJRPGP

8

Must have Journeyman Certificate

48 sessions: 241 to 288

4,000 to 4,999 (16)

10 to 14 years INDIGO

5 to 7 years

2 to 4 years

Workbook Volume 9A

Study Guide Volume 9B

or Book Collection III. Completion = Senior Journeyman Certificate.


Chief Journeyman (D)

CJRPGP

9

Must have Senior Journeyman Certificate

48 sessions: 289 to 336

5,000 to 5,999 (16) (~100 total)

14 to 18 years INDIGO

7 to 9 years

3 to 5 years

Workbook Volume 10A

Study Guide Volume 10B

or Book Collection III. Completion = Chief Journeyman Diploma.

IV

Professional

RPG Professional I (RPGP1) (Independent Professional) (C or D)

RPGP1

10

Must have Chief Journeyman Diploma

48 sessions: 337 to 384

6,000 to 7,999 (16)

18 to 22 years VIOLET

9 to 11 years

3 to 6 years

Workbook Volume 11A

Study Guide Volume 11B

or Book Collection IV. Completion = Role-Playing Game Professional Certificate or Diploma.


RPG Professional II (RPGP2) (C)

RPGP2

11

Must have RPGP1 Diploma (certificate not sufficient)

48 sessions: 385 to 432

8,000 to 9,999 (16)

22 to 26 years VIOLET

11 to 13 years

4 to 7 years

Workbook Volume 12A

Study Guide Volume 12B

or Book Collection IV. Completion = Role-Playing Game Professional II Certificate


RPG Professional III (RPGP3) (C)

RPGP3

12

Must have RPGP2 Certificate

48 sessions:433 to 480

10,000 to 11,999 (16)

26 to 30 years VIOLET

13 to 15 years

5 to 8 years

Workbook Volume 13A

Study Guide Volume 13B

or Book Collection IV. Completion = Role-Playing Game Professional III Certificate


RPG Professional IV (C)

RPGP4

13

RPGP3 Certificate

48 sessions: 481 to 528

12,000 to 13,999 (16)

30 to 34 years VIOLET

15 to 17 years

6 to 9 years

Workbook Volume 13A

Study Guide Volume 13B

or Book Collection IV. Completion = Role-Playing Game Professional IV Certificate


RPG Professional V (D)

RPGP5

14

RPGP4 Certificate

96 sessions: 529 to 624

14,000 to 15,999 (32)

(~260 total)

34 to 38 years VIOLET

17 to 19 years

7 to 10 years

Workbook Volume 14A

Study Guide Volume 14B

or Book Collection IV. Completion = Role-Playing Game Professional V Diploma.

V

Senior Professional

Senior RPG Professional I (C or D)

SRPGP1

15

Must have RPGP5 Diploma

48 sessions: 625 to 672

16,000 to 18,999 (16)

38 to 44 years VIOLET

19 to 22 years

8 to 11 years

Workbook Volume 15A

Study Guide Volume 15B

or Book Collection V. Completion = Senior RPGP Certificate or Diploma.


Senior RPG Professional II (C)

SRPGP2

16

Must have Senior RPGP Diploma (Certificate is not sufficient)

48 sessions: 673 to 720

19,000 to 21,999 (16)

44 to 48 years BRONZE

22 to 24 years

10 to 12 years

Workbook Volume 16A

Study Guide Volume 16B

or Book Collection V. Completion = Senior RPGP II Certificate


Senior RPG Professional III (D)

SRPGP3

17

Must have Senior RPGP2 Certificate

96 sessions: 720 to 816

22,000 to 24,999 (32)

48 to 54 years BRONZE

24 to 27 years

11 to 13 years

Workbook Volume 17A

Study Guide Volume 17B

or Book Collection V. Completion = Senior RPGP III Diploma

VI

Mentor

RPG Professional Mentor I (C or D)

RPGPM1

18

Must have Senior RPGP III Diploma

24 sessions: 817 to 840

25,000 to 27,999 (8)

(~400 total)

54 to 60 years BRONZE

27 to 30 years

12 to 14 years

Workbook Volume 18A

Study Guide Volume 18B

or Book Collection VI. Completion = RPGP Mentor 1 Certificate or Diploma.


RPG Professional Mentor II (C)

RPGPM2

19

Must have RPGP Mentor Diploma (Certificate is not sufficient

24 sessions: 841 to 864

28,000 to 30,999 (8)

60 to 70 years SILVER

30 to 35 years

14 to 16 years

Workbook Volume 19A

Study Guide Volume 19B

or Book Collection VI. Completion = RPGP Mentor II Certificate


RPG Professional Mentor III (D)

RPGPM3

20

Must have RPGP2 Certificate

96 sessions: 865 to 960

31,000 to 33,999 (32)

(~500 total)

70 to 80 years SILVER

35 to 40 years

15 to 17 years

Workbook Volume 20A

Study Guide Volume 20B

or Book Collection VI. Completion = RPGP Mentor III Diploma

VII

RPG Executive

Junior Principle, Senior Principle, Junior VP, VP, Senior VP, Chief RPG Professional Officer (CRO) (C)

SPRPGPE JVPRPGPE VPRPGPE SVPRPGPE CRPGPEO

21+

Must have RPGP Mentor III Diploma

+48 sessions per level.

34,000+ (16 per)

80+ years

GOLD

40+ years

17+ years

Workbook Volumes 21A+

Study Guide Volumes 21B+

or Book Collection VII.

Completion = RPGP Executive Certificates (various titles/levels)

Specialist

+ Specialty Areas (C)



Must have Role-Playing Game Professional I Certificate or Diploma

+96 training hours (24 x 4-hour training sessions) per specialty.

+200 hours related experience

(~50 sessions) (~5 credits per)




Various books and volumes. Completion = RPGP Specialist Certificate for the specific area.

* mCEUs: Maintenance CEUs = The International Council for Role-Playing Game Professional Certification (ICRPGPC) 50 clock hours of continuing education, which is (5.0 CEUs) within a five (5) year renewal period (average 10 hours or 1.0 CEUs per year), to maintain that level. These CEUs are to maintain existing level, not to increase the level.

** sCEUs: Specialty Maintenance CEUs = Specialty certificates require 75 hours of continuing education (in that specialty area), which is measured as 7.5 CEUs within a five (5) year renewal period (average 15 hours or 1.5 CEUs per year) to maintain that specific specialty area.

Specialty Areas

  1. Game Format (Tabletop, live-action, electronic, hybrid)

  2. Game Developer (non-electronic)

  3. Game Software Developer (electronic)

  4. Populations

  5. Recreation

  6. Entertainment

  7. Education

  8. Professional Development

  9. Healthcare

  10. Research



Additional Advancement References

ROY-G-BIV:https://old12-0122.rpgresearch.com/roygbiv

RPG.LLC Workshops:https://rpg.llc/rpg-professionals-deprecated-second-edition#scrollTop=0

RPG.LLC Certified Role-Playing Game Professionals Certification:

RPG Research Role-Playing Game Professional Training Diplomas:







5 Core Focus Domains

  1. Layperson, non-professional (generally just want to improve as player or GM, not committed to professional RPG career).

  2. Recreation and Leisure, community

  3. Entertainment

  4. Education, personal and professional development

  5. Therapeutic and other healthcare settings













Details







Distinction between Certification versus Diploma

Diploma’s trum Certificates.

Certificates can build upon Diplomas.

Certification is generally heavier on classroom, workshops, homework, tests, online learning, and limited applied experience.

Certificates are a good preparation for getting real-world experience, but is lighter on the out-of-classroom real-world hours requirements.

The f ull Diploma includes significantly more real-world experience, more supervisor and peer-review, more project design and implementation, more practicum requirements, and is deeper and broader than just the certificates.

Certificates for most, Diplomas for certain tiers .

Some levels are only available as Diplomas. Some tiers cannot be reached with only certificates.

Traine es c an choose to “ challenge” a test to earn certificates faster (but even less real world experience) , but they _must_ have verified sufficient community hours, meet the other minimum hands-on hours experience, and other requirements for each level to receive certificates .

Diplomas available for top of each tier, only for Tiers.

Must have Tier diploma to advance to the next levels in that tier through certificates.

For academic equivalency to credit hours, using the formula of 1 credit approximately represents about 15-30 hours of classroom/lecture/laboratory work and about 30 hours of student preparation and related work, roughly every 60 hours = 1 school credit hour. (typically a ratio of 1:3, 1 hour of lecture for every 3 hours of experience).

Tier I, no diploma, only certificates.

Tier II (Apprenticeship): Certificates for Levels 1 through 3. Diploma for Senior Apprentice (not available as only certificate). Completion of Apprenticeship is roughly equivalent to 1 year certificate in typical school settings.

Tier III (Journeyman): Must have Senior Apprentice Diploma to begin training as Journeyman. Certificates for Levels 5 through 8, Diploma only for completion of Level 9 (Chief Journeyman). Completion of Level 5 Associate Journeyman roughly equivalent to 2-year Applied Associates degree. Completion of Level 9 Chief Journeyman roughly equivalent to Applied Bachelors degree.

Tier IV (Professional): Must have Senior Journeyman Certificate if working toward RPGP Certificate, must have Chief Journeyman Diploma if working toward RPGP Diploma (more hands-on experience than certificate, diploma is “superior” to certificate in real-world experience, breadth, and depth, certificate is a fast-track option for training with less community hands-on (some still required though)). Can only receive CRPGP1 certificate at end of training if do not have Chief Journeyman RPGP Diploma, and cannot advance further as RPGP with only certificates. Can only advance further if have RPGP Diploma.



Tier overview.

There are currently 8 tiers:

  1. Applicant/Candidate Trainee, and Novice Trainee

  2. Apprentice

  3. Journeyman

  4. Professional

  5. Senior Professional

  6. Professional Mentor

  7. RPG Executive (Director, Junior Principle, Senior Principle, Assistant VP, VP, Chief)

  8. Professional Specialist








PROFESSIONAL SPECIALTY ENDORSEMENT (Professional certification +1,000+ hours each area)

(~typically taken around __ of formal training program)

  • ASD/PSD

  • Deaf/HoH

  • Blind/VI

  • MS, MD, CP, and Related Neuromuscular, Mobility & Grasping Disorders

  • BCI (Brain Computer Interface)

  • TRPG Designer & Developer

  • ERPG Software Designer

  • ERPG Software Developer

  • RPG Researcher