The Society of Freshwater Science Taxonomic Certification Program (SFS TCP) was implemented to certify that trained and skilled persons are providing aquatic invertebrate and diatom identifications in North America. The Stroud Water Research Center currently administers the TCP for SFS. The successful completion of the taxonomic certification process results in a certificate of proficiency in performing taxonomic identifications of freshwater benthic macroinvertebrates and diatoms that stands for 5 years. The program also helps promote undergraduate and graduate training of new taxonomic experts, training of taxonomic technicians through workshops, development of new manuals for identifying aquatic invertebrates and algae, and taxonomic excellence in other disciplines and other parts of the world. The certification program tests a candidate’s knowledge and skills in specialized areas of taxonomy and provides the successful applicant with a certificate of proficiency. This process includes passing an examination with a score of 95% for certification for a particular region and taxonomic group, and payment of a certification fee. The developmental history, procedures, and selected outcomes of the TCP will be presented.