The up-to-date copy of this post will be maintained here: http://genweblog.blogspot.com/2006/09/finding-professional-genealogist.html
Association of Professional Genealogists (APG) : http://www.APGen.org
Board for Certification of Genealogists: http://www.BCGcertification.org
International Commission for the Accreditation of Professional Genealogists: http://www.icapgen.org/
Study guide: Becoming an Accredited Genealogist by Karen Clifford, ISBN 0-916489-81-7
Book: Professional Genealogy: A Manual for Researchers, Writers, Lecturers, and Librarians, ed. Elizabeth Shown Mills, ISBN 0-8063-1648-9
Other nations
Australia and New Zealand:
Australian Association of Genealogists and Record Agents: http://www.aagra.asn.au/
Canada:
Genealogical Institute of the Maritimes / Institut généalogique des provinces Maritimes (the Maritimes of Canada): http://nsgna.ednet.ns.ca/gim/
Bureau Québécois D'Attestation de Compétence en Généalogie, Fédération Québécoise des Sociétés de Généalogie: http://www.federationgenealogie.qc.ca/
England:
Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives: http://www.agra.org.uk/
The Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies: http://www.ihgs.ac.uk/
France:
Chambre Syndicale des Genealogistes — Heraldistes de France: http://www.csghf.org/
Chambre de Généalogistes Professionnels: http://www.cgpro.org/
Germany:
Society of Professional Genealogists for German-speaking Europe: http:www.berufsgenealogie.net/
P.O. Box 31 16 33, D-10653 Berlin, Germany
Ireland:
Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland: http://indigo.ie/~apgi/
Scotland:
Association of Scottish Genealogists and Record Agents: http://www.asgra.co.uk
The Scottish Genealogy Society: http://www.scotsgenealogy.com
About.com - How to Select a Professional Genealogist: http://genealogy.about.com/cs/professionalselect/
Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. - Helen Keller