To stimulate achievement in period costuming by encouraging members to challenge themselves to improve the breadth, depth and quality of their knowledge, research and work in a non-competitive environment. To encourage involvement in the Costumer's Guild.

1. All levels from associate on up are entitled and encouraged to display the Costumer's Guild badge upon their person. The Badge is fieldless and is a gold distaff.
2. Gems appropriate to each of the levels may be placed over or hung on the points generally seen on the corners of the badge.
3. Each person is responsible for obtaining his or her own badge (either by commissioning or making it themselves.)
4. A gem is given out once for each level. If the gem/s are lost or misplaced, or the person wishes to have more than one badge, they are responsible for obtaining the appropriate gem/s.
5. Size of the gem/s and badge is not regulated.
6. The badge may be worn in any form the person desires, such as a patch, a brooch, a hatpin, a medallion, etc.

1. How can I find out when the challenges are held?

2. Where might they be held?

3. Who will be looking at my challenge entries?

• The panels are made up of 3 Guild Members who have already achieved the level you are challenging. If there are not sufficient numbers available for your level, outside experts (who may or may not be Laurels) will be included in the panel.
• If a level has multiple entries being challenged at the same time, the same panel will view all entries.

4. Are there any consistent requirements I might run into?

• Entries must fall within the generally accepted dates (pre-1650) and cultures of the SCA. This includes European, Middle and Far Eastern, Russian, etc.
• Challenger must be a member of the Costumer's Guild at the time of the Challenge.
• Sign up by a specific time for the jurying and be ready and waiting for your turn with the panel. (If you are able to, it is helpful to contact the Education officer ahead of the event. This is required of Journey and Scholar levels.)
• Once something has been used as an entry, it cannot be submitted again in the Challenges.
• The Challenger must do his/her own work on each entry but a model may be used for demonstration.
• The Challenger cannot submit work for another person because the panel needs to be able to ask questions about the entry.

5. Helpful hints and important definitions

• The Challenger brings the entries to the panel for the jurying.
• If you are exceedingly shy or have a test phobia, please contact the Education Coordinator at , or their deputies, for options.
• If a challenge level has multiple entries, they do not need to be juried at a single event. You can do as many or as few of the parts at the same time as needed.
• It is strongly recommended that you do not do multiple levels at the same time (other than the two sections of the student level.) If for some reasons you do wish to do more than one level, please contact the Education Coordinator at , or their deputies. (Note: in the past it was noted that doing an entire level such as Journeyman at one time fried both the challenger and the panel. Doing more than one level is strongly discouraged.)
• Tests may be viewed prior to taking by appointment so that you can get a better idea of areas of study. However, it may not be copied for take-home use.
• Tests may be taken more than once, but not on the same day. However, no one has yet failed the exam.
• Keep in mind that you are not required to operate in a vacuum. Feel free to discuss your work with experienced costumers. If you can't find acceptable sources even with that help, please contact the Education Coordinator at , or their deputies.
• The Guild aims to make this learning process as painless as possible. If you have a bad experience, please let us know. (But please do not forget to follow grievance procedure.)
• The Challenges are often held in large open rooms without privacy. If you have special requirements, please contact the Education Coordinator at , or their deputies.
• Keep in mind that the Challenge levels convey no rank or status within the Costumer's Guild. They are strictly for providing a framework for improving the breadth, depth and quality of knowledge, research and work.