ComplaintsforEvergreen Certifications

• Initial Complaint

  11/30/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  The company falsely advertised that a certification can be obtained through training on another website (PESI). Upon completion of the training and request for certification, I was told my professional scope of practice does not meet their requirements. They have not provided evidence to determine if my scope of practice does not meet their criteria for certification despite me providing evidence that I do, in fact, meet the requirement to obtain their certification.

  Business response

  12/12/2023

  Good Afternoon,

  Occupational therapists do not meet the professional standards for the Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional certifications. Professional standards are posted on Evergreen Certifications website. On the **** sales page for the training this customer completed, there is a link to the certification requirements and note that Professional standards apply. On 11/30/2023 at 1:14 PM Evergreen Certifications attempted to reach out to this customer via phone to discuss concerns and explain the application denial. To date we have not received a response back.

  Thank you,

  *********************************

• Initial Complaint

  05/17/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This company informed me that if i took their Autism course I would become "Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist Intensive Training (ASDCS)" certified. I paid $218.49 for the course and successfully completed it within one week (long before it expired). After I completed the course and inquired about certification, Evergreen certifications informed that I did not have the qualifications and that they would not certify me.They lied to me and stole my money. I want and deserve a full refund. They wasted my time and took my hard earned money.Furthermore, they will not reply to my numerous inquiries about the matter.

  Business response

  05/30/2023

  Good Morning,

  Thank you for allowing us to review this concern. Unfortunately, this customer does not meet the professional standards for our ASDCS certification and therefore cannot be approved for certification. Professional standards can be found on our website (www.evergreencertifications.com/asdcs). The course content that this customer is referring to was offered by our partners at PESI. PESI fully refunded this customer for their course work on 05/23/2023.

  Thank you!

  *********************************

  Customer response

  05/30/2023

  
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  

  Only after filing the BBB complaint did the company respond and refund my money. Prior to that, they ignored all of my communications.
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  ***********************
  

• Initial Complaint

  05/01/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I paid for two certifications from this organization. 199 each which were billed to my credit card. I submitted the anger management certification and supplies all documentation. I have emailed them several times with no clear response but was told I didn't qualify. I send them all required information. I was charged for two separate certifications.

  Business response

  05/23/2023

  Thank you for allowing us to review this matter. This customer did not meet the professional standards for CSAM certification and therefore could not be approved. After communication with this customer, a refund was provided per the customer's request. Please see our email communication below.

  Thank you!

  ******

  From: ********************* <****************>
  Sent: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 10:57 AM
  To: ********************************* <**************************************>
  Subject: Re: ********************* verification
  
  [EXTERNAL]
  *************  Just please refund credit card charged for both certs.  199 and 199.  Thank you.  
  
  On Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 11:52:23 AM EDT, ********************************* <**************************************>wrote:
  
  
  Thank you ****. The ********** representative was not able to find an application for you on file.We need that information for certification approval. Would you like to try working with the department to obtain the verification?
  
  Please let me know how you would like to proceed.
  
  Thank you!
  ******
  
  *********************************
  Evergreen Certifications
  Website: www.evergreencertifications.com
  
  
  
  
  From: ********************* <****************>
  Sent: Tuesday, May 2, 2023 10:45 AM
  To: ********************************* <**************************************>
  Subject: Re: ********************* verification
  
  [EXTERNAL]
  Hello.  My DOB is 4/27/1972.   Mailing address.  51 **********************************************. ********* ** 21532
  
  On Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at 11:42:23 AM EDT, ********************************* <**************************************>wrote:
  
  
  Good Morning ****,
  
  I just spoke with the ************** ********** of ********** They confirmed that once a candidate applies to be a school counselor they have their application and approval on file. They could not confirm your account based on name but the representative said with your DOB they should be able to locate your application. Can you either supply me with your DOB or contact the department and obtain a letter from them confirming your application in their system?
  
  Thank you!
  ******
  
  *********************************
  Evergreen Certifications
  Website: www.evergreencertifications.com
  
  

• Initial Complaint

  03/07/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unresolved

  More info

  I paid for and earned a certificate for the ****************** Trauma Professional (CATP) program offered by PESI, with the certificate being issued by Evergreen. I renewed my certificate last year and was sent a certificate for a Certified Trauma Professional (CTP). I attempted to clarify and resolve this with Evergreen, but the only response I could get was that the board changed the criteria for eligibility (they told me I needed a LCSW license, which I currently have an LSW). I was not notified prior to this occurring. The program I enrolled in indicated the certificate is for CATP, which I earned in 2018, yet Evergreen arbitrarily changed the requirements in 2022, 4 years after the certificate was issued. I attempted to resolve this through Evergreen with no success. I challenged this through PESI, and they indicated they don't have any involvement in the certification process even though they market the program as earning a CATP. I challenged this through the **** as an ethics concern; however, since Evergreen is a private agency it could not be addressed through ****. I don't understand how this can be changed 4 years after it was already earned. I earned my Master's 10 years ago from a private school, and criteria for graduation has changed, yet they did not change the degree I earned. I think this decision is inappropriate, incorrect and frankly unethical. I'd like to be issued the certificate I paid for and I earned by taking all the required coursework at the time it was issued. Evergreen doesn't respond to my inquiries, and PESI won't get involved. I am disappointed in the handling of this as there appears to be no available assistance to address this as no one will take responsibility. Please, SAVE your money and do not take the risk having Evergreen change your certificate, especially if your employer requires it. There are so many other agencies out there that respect the work you've done and act in ethical ways.

  Business response

  03/13/2023

  Good Afternoon,

  Thank you for reaching out to Evergreen Certifications. We are sorry to hear of this customer concern. Each of our ********************** have standards that need to be met, including both professional and educational criteria. Based on the license that this customer holds they do not meet the standards for our Certified Child and Adolescent Trauma Professional certification, but we are happy to share that they do meet the certification standards for our Certified Trauma Professional certification.

  Thank you!

  Evergreen Certifications

  Customer response

  03/13/2023

  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and have determined that this does not resolve my complaint.  For your reference, details of the offer I reviewed appear below.
  
  At the time I took the course I met criteria for the certificate.  I had renewed the certificate more than once and maintained the **** certificate.  Several years after I paid for, earned, renewed and attended required CEUs I was told the rules of the game had changed even AFTER I had already earned it.  This is unacceptable.  My master's degree program changed after I earned my MSW but they did not change my degree, and it was a private school.  I earned my license (LSW) and have maintained it.  Not only is this inappropriate, at the time I took the course it was marketed as a ****.  My colleagues have referred to this practice as bait and switch.  I EARNED the certificate after taking and paying for the course.  Now the agency arbitrarily changed its mind on the requirements and refused to grandfather my certificate in even though I earned it.  
  
  Regards,
  
  ***************************

• Initial Complaint

  02/11/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Billing Issues

  Status:

  Unanswered

  More info

  Evergreen refused to ***** me a certification renewal. I sent them a copy of the completed course and I paid for the certification. I would like them to either new my certification or give me a refund.

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩