Top 11 Actor Certifications

Certifications are important for actors in the job market because they demonstrate to potential employers that the actor has taken the time to gain professional training and practice their craft. Having certifications can make an actor stand out from others who may have only had amateur experience or no experience at all. It also gives employers confidence in an actor’s skills and abilities, as well as a sense of security that the actor is knowledgeable about industry standards and practices. Additionally, certifications can help open up opportunities for an actor to audition for higher-paying roles or be cast in more prestigious projects.

The purpose of this article is to review some of the top certifications for Actors and explain how they can help advance an actor's career.

What are Actor Certifications?

Actor certification is a process used to assess the professional capabilities of an actor. It is designed to provide a measure of an actor's ability and potential, helping them stand out from the competition in the entertainment industry. The certification process typically involves an assessment of the actor's performance skills, such as their ability to memorize lines, interact with other actors and express emotions. It may also include a review of the actor's past work, their understanding of film or theater techniques and their comfort level with improvisation.

The certification can help actors pursue more challenging roles and demonstrate their commitment to advancing their craft. It can also give them access to higher-paying opportunities that require a certain level of skill or experience. Certification can also lead to greater recognition from casting agents and directors, which may open up more job opportunities for actors. Finally, it can provide confidence in an actor's abilities, helping them approach each new project with assurance that they have what it takes to perform well.

Pro Tip: Always make sure to research the actor certification requirements for the country or region where you plan to work. Different countries have different regulations and the process of becoming certified can vary greatly. Knowing the specific requirements ahead of time can save you time and money in the long run.

Related: What does an Actor do?

Top 11 Actor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Actors today.

1. Academy Award

The Academy Award, also known as the Oscars, is an annual award ceremony hosted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) to recognize excellence in cinematic achievements. The awards are given in 24 categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, and more.

It takes approximately one year for a film to be eligible for nomination. To qualify for consideration, films must be released during the calendar year preceding the awards ceremony. Films must also meet certain criteria set forth by AMPAS such as running time and number of screenings.

To get an Oscar nomination or win, filmmakers must submit their films to AMPAS for consideration. In addition to submitting their films, filmmakers can also campaign for their films with various organizations such as the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and Screen Actors Guild.

There is no cost associated with submitting a film or campaigning for an Oscar nomination or win. However, there are costs associated with attending the awards ceremony which include tickets and travel expenses.

2. Golden Globe Award

The Golden Globe Awards are an annual awards ceremony honoring the best in film and television, both domestic and foreign. The awards are presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), a non-profit organization of journalists and photographers who cover entertainment news from around the world.

The Golden Globe Awards take place each year in January or February, usually at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. The awards ceremony is typically broadcast live on NBC or other networks.

To be eligible for a Golden Globe Award, films must have been released during the previous calendar year and must have been screened for at least seven days in Los Angeles County prior to their nomination. Similarly, television programs must have aired during the previous calendar year and must have been shown on American television within the United States during that time period.

There is no cost associated with submitting a film or television program for consideration for a Golden Globe Award; however, there may be additional costs associated with attending the awards ceremony itself.

3. Emmy Award

The Emmy Award is a prestigious award given annually to recognize excellence in the television industry. It is presented by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) and has been awarded since 1949.

The Emmy Awards are divided into two main categories: Primetime Emmys, which are awarded for excellence in programming aired between 6 p.m. and 11 p.m., and Daytime Emmys, which are awarded for programming aired between 2 a.m. and 5 p.m. There are also awards for sports programming, news programming, children's programming, interactive media, animation, and more.

It takes about two years for an individual or program to be nominated for an Emmy Award. The process begins with members of ATAS submitting their nominations each year in April or May; then a panel of judges reviews the submissions and selects nominees from each category. In September or October, the nominees are announced publicly at a special ceremony called the Creative Arts Emmy Awards Ceremony, which is held prior to the Primetime Emmy Awards Ceremony in September or October of that same year.

In order to be eligible for an Emmy Award nomination, individuals must have worked on a television program that was broadcast within the United States during the eligibility period (usually June 1st through May 31st). Additionally, they must have contributed significantly to either its writing or production elements in order to be considered for nomination by ATAS members.

There is no cost associated with being nominated for an Emmy Award; however there may be costs associated with attending any of the ceremonies related to it (such as travel expenses).

4. Screen Actors Guild Awards

The Screen Actors Guild Awards (also known as the SAG Awards) is an annual awards ceremony honoring outstanding performances in film and television. It is presented by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA). The awards are given to actors, actresses, stunt performers, voiceover artists, and other professionals in the entertainment industry.

The SAG Awards have been held annually since 1995. Nominations for each year's awards are announced in December of the preceding year. Winners are selected by a panel of 2,500 randomly selected members of SAG-AFTRA.

To be eligible for nomination for a SAG Award, a performer must be a member of either SAG-AFTRA or one of its affiliated unions. Membership is free and open to anyone who has worked professionally as an actor or stunt performer in at least one feature film or television program within the past two years.

There is no cost associated with being nominated for or winning a SAG Award. However, it should be noted that nominees may incur costs associated with attending the award ceremony if they choose to do so.

5. BAFTA Award

The BAFTA Award (British Academy of Film and Television Arts) is an annual award ceremony held in London, England to recognize excellence in the film and television industry. The awards are presented by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA).

The BAFTA Awards are one of the most prestigious awards ceremonies in the world, celebrating excellence in film, television, video games, animation and interactive media. Each year, BAFTA celebrates outstanding achievement in craft and performance across a range of categories.

It typically takes up to a year for a project to be eligible for consideration for a BAFTA Award. Projects must be released within the eligibility period, which runs from 1st January - 31st December each year. Entries for each category must be submitted by producers or distributors before the closing date.

There is no cost associated with entering a project into consideration for a BAFTA Award; however, there may be costs associated with attending the ceremony or related events.

6. Critics' Choice Movie Awards

The Critics' Choice Movie Awards is an annual awards ceremony presented by the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) to recognize excellence in cinematic achievement. It was first held in 1995 and is the only major awards show that exclusively honors movies. The awards are voted on by more than 400 members of the BFCA, including critics from television, radio, and online media outlets.

The Critics' Choice Movie Awards are typically held in January each year, shortly after the Golden Globe Awards and before the Academy Awards. Winners are announced at a live ceremony that is broadcast on The CW Network.

There is no cost associated with being nominated for or winning a Critics' Choice Movie Award. However, there may be costs associated with attending the live ceremony or any related events or parties.

To be eligible for a Critics' Choice Movie Award, films must have been released theatrically in the United States during the calendar year preceding the award ceremony. Films submitted for consideration must also meet certain criteria set forth by the BFCA's board of directors.

7. MTV Movie & TV Awards

The MTV Movie & TV Awards is an annual awards show that honors the best in movies and television. It has been running since 1992 and is usually held in June each year.

To get an MTV Movie & TV Award, a film or television show must be nominated by the public or a panel of judges. The nominees are then voted on by the public to determine who will win the award.

It does not cost anything to nominate someone for an MTV Movie & TV Award, but there may be costs associated with attending the awards ceremony if you are invited as a nominee or winner.

The awards ceremony typically takes place over one night and includes performances from musical acts, appearances from celebrities, and of course, the presentation of awards.

8. Independent Spirit Awards

The Independent Spirit Awards is an annual awards show that celebrates the best in independent films. It was founded in 1984 by a group of filmmakers who wanted to recognize and celebrate the achievements of independent filmmakers. The awards are presented by Film Independent, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the growth of independent film.

The Independent Spirit Awards take place every year in February or March, usually one day before the Academy Awards. The categories for the awards include Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and more. Winners are chosen by a jury of industry professionals and film critics.

To be eligible for an Independent Spirit Award, a film must have been made with an independently produced budget of $20 million or less. Additionally, it must have been shown at least once in Los Angeles County during the previous calendar year.

There is no cost to submit a film for consideration for an Independent Spirit Award; however there may be fees associated with submitting to certain festivals or other events that could be necessary for consideration.

9. Satellite Awards

The Satellite Awards are an annual award ceremony that honors the best in film and television. The awards are presented by the International Press Academy, a non-profit organization of entertainment journalists from around the world.

The awards were first presented in 1996 and have been held annually since then. They recognize outstanding achievement in both domestic and international films, as well as television shows. The categories for the awards include Best Motion Picture, Best Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture, Best Supporting Actor/Actress in a Motion Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, and more.

It takes approximately one year to receive a Satellite Award. To be eligible for consideration, films must be released theatrically or on VOD within the calendar year preceding the ceremony. Television shows must air during the same period of time to be eligible.

There is no cost associated with submitting films or television shows for consideration for a Satellite Award. However, there is an entry fee if you wish to submit additional materials such as press kits or other promotional materials along with your submission.

10. Saturn Awards

The Saturn Awards is an annual awards ceremony honoring the best in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and other genre films. The awards are presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films. The awards have been held annually since 1972, making it one of the oldest award ceremonies in Hollywood.

The Saturn Awards recognize achievement in a variety of film genres including feature films, television series, home video releases and theatrical performances. The categories for which awards are given include Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress and Best Screenplay. In addition to these main categories there are also numerous sub-categories such as Best Visual Effects and Best Makeup & Hairstyling.

The nomination process for the Saturn Awards takes place each year between January and February. During this time members of the Academy submit their nominations for consideration by the Board of Directors who then vote on which nominees will receive an award.

Winners of the Saturn Awards receive a trophy that resembles a miniature version of Saturn's rings encircling a globe with a starburst pattern on its surface. There is no cost associated with receiving a Saturn Award; however winners must pay for their own shipping costs if they wish to take possession of their trophy.

11. National Board of Review

The National Board of Review (NBR) is an independent organization that provides awards and recognition to films, filmmakers, and actors. It was founded in 1909 by William "Billy" Haines, a former Hollywood actor. The NBR is one of the oldest film organizations in the world and has been recognizing excellence in filmmaking for over 100 years.

The NBR awards are given out annually at the end of each year. The process typically takes about six months from start to finish. First, members of the NBR review all eligible films released during the year. Then they select a list of nominees for various categories such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, etc. Finally, they vote on winners and announce them at an annual gala event held in New York City.

Anyone can submit their film for consideration to the NBR but there is no fee associated with doing so. However, there are certain criteria that must be met in order for a film to be eligible for nomination or award consideration: it must have been released theatrically in the United States during the calendar year; it must have had at least seven screenings; and it must have received a theatrical release date prior to October 31st of that year.

In addition to its annual awards ceremony, the NBR also hosts special events throughout the year such as panel discussions with filmmakers and industry professionals as well as screenings of nominated films.

Do You Really Need a Actor Certificate?

The short answer is no, you do not need an actor certificate to become a professional actor. However, depending on the level of experience that you have, or the type of roles you are looking for, obtaining a certificate can be beneficial.

A professional acting certificate is not a requirement for most actors. It is important to note that many experienced actors have never earned an official acting certification. Some actors have been successful without one and have gone on to book major roles and win awards.

However, having an official certification can be beneficial as it shows potential employers that you have taken the time to learn the fundamentals of acting and understand the craft better than someone who has not taken any classes or studied in depth. It also gives employers assurance that you understand the basics of working as an actor and that you are serious about pursuing a career in this field.

In addition, taking classes or earning a certification can help aspiring actors gain more confidence in their skills and ability to act well on camera. This can make them more attractive to casting directors looking for new talent and give them more opportunities to audition for roles they may otherwise not be considered for.

Ultimately, whether or not to pursue an actor certificate depends on your individual goals as well as your current skill level and experience with acting. If you feel like earning a certificate could help further your career in some way then it might be worth considering. However, if you already feel confident in your abilities then there may be no need to go through the extra effort of obtaining a formal certificate.

Related: Actor Resume Examples

FAQs About Actor Certifications

1. What is an Actor Certification?

An Actor Certification is a voluntary certification program designed to demonstrate professional knowledge and proficiency in the business of acting. It is intended to provide employers, casting directors, agents and other industry professionals with a reliable measure of an actor's skill level and commitment to their craft.

2. How do I get an Actor Certification?

To receive an Actor Certification, you must complete a comprehensive assessment process that includes both written and performance-based components. The assessment process is administered by the National Association of Professional Actors (NAPA).

3. What are the benefits of getting an Actor Certification?

Having an Actor Certification demonstrates your commitment to your craft and sets you apart from other actors when auditioning for roles or seeking employment opportunities in the entertainment industry. It also provides employers with a reliable measure of your skills and experience as an actor.

4. How long does it take to get an Actor Certification?

The amount of time required to complete the assessment process will vary depending on the individual’s experience level and preparation for the assessment components, but typically takes around 2-4 months.

5. Is there any cost associated with getting an Actor Certification?

Yes, there is a fee associated with obtaining an Actor Certification which covers the cost of administering the assessment process as well as providing access to additional resources and benefits available through NAPA membership.