If you are a manuscript editor, you can earn a certification through the Board of Editors in the Life Sciences (BELS), attesting your editorial proficiency. Such objective evidence is desirable for many writers and editors in the life sciences – especially for those of us who don't have a degree in linguistics or communication, or who like taking on a personal challenge, or who just love taking home atrophy. In this article, I describe seven steps that I think are essential to preparing for – and passing – the BELS certification exam.