The two-day JA Certified Beginner Bench Jeweler (CBBJ) exam session will be proctored by GIA staff and administered at the state-of-the-art bench classroom on GIA's Carlsbad campus.  

About CBBJ
The CBBJ exam reflects skills and knowledge generally expected of a trained entry-level bench jeweler generalist performing jewelry repair with about one year’s experience.

Exam Dates
August 8-9, 2024
The written "open-book" online exam will be administered first and prior to the on-site practical exam and must be completed by August 1.

Registration Deadline 
July 1, 2024

Location
GIA World Headquarters
The Robert Mouawad Campus
5345 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, CA 92008
REGISTER FOR ON-SITE CBBJ

PREP WORKSHOP
GIA Alumni Collective will be offering an additional three-day prep workshop prior to the exam from August 5-7. In the intensive workshop, participants will learn techniques designed to improve their efficiency at the bench and review foundational jewelry-making practices found on the exam. They will receive detailed information on what to expect and gain confidence in their skills under the guidance of an expert GIA instructor.
Learn More >

Benefits of Taking the Exam On-Site 

  • Special pricing for on-site exam registrants
  • No proctor needed; the exam will be administered by a GIA professional
  • Take the exam at your own dedicated workstation at GIA’s brand new, state-of-the-art facilities 
  • Complete the practical exam in two-days without the distractions of your typical work environment

Plus you can’t top the experience of visiting the Robert Mouawad Campus at GIA’s world headquarters. It is home to the premier gem studies school, the famous GIA laboratory and an internationally recognized museum — all set amidst the stunning surroundings of Carlsbad, California.

On-Site Certification Fees

The fee schedule for the JA Bench Professional Certification is billed in two installments. 1st installment payment is due with the completed Bench Professional Certification application. 2nd installment payment is due upon successful completion of the written exam.

1st Installment: Registration and Written Exam: $300

2nd Installment: Bench Certification Practical Tests: $1,305
Practical Test Estimated Pricing for Beginner Bench Jeweler Exam; Reflects the price of gold as of 6/1/2024
  • The Bench Certification practical test materials cost is calculated based on the price of gold at the time of shipment.
  • Payment is due upon successful completion of the Bench Certification written exam.
  • Jewelers of America will send an invoice outlining the amount due before the credit card on file is charged. Practical test materials will not be sent if the invoice is not paid in full.
  • Check payments must be received within 7-10 days of emailed invoice.

Steps for On-Site Certification


  1. Complete the application form and submit with your 1st installment payment to Jewelers of America.
  2. Successfully complete the “open book” written exam prior to taking the practical test portion of the Bench Jeweler Certification at GIA.
    • The written exam must be completed by August 1.
  3. Successfully complete the practical test portion of the Bench Jeweler Certification at GIA.
  4. The completed test will be sent from GIA to the proctor, it will be graded, and the test results will be sent directly to you

Completing the On-Site Practical Test

Jewelers of America will provide the practical bench tests for your level to GIA’s campus in Carlsbad. You will be required to complete each practical bench test within the estimated time for completing the project during the two days allotted to complete the exam. These times are guidelines only; the candidate may take more or less than the estimated time to perform a specific bench test. However, the total test time must stay within the total time-frame requirement.

There is no need to select a proctor! A designated proctor will be provided on-site at the in-person JA Bench Professional Certification session at GIA’s campus in Carlsbad. They will track the time it takes the candidate to complete each test.

Questions?

Contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you have any questions on JA Certification.

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Jewelers of America

In 1906, Jewelers of America was founded by jewelers for jewelers, with a desire to advance the professionalism and ethics of the jewelry industry.

Today, we continue that mission and Jewelers of America Members stand as the most trustworthy, informed and professional jewelry businesses within the United States.