Why would I want to become a Certified Ghost Hunter
by Patti Starr?

I can see by your question you are concerned about being certified by a credible person. I think it shows how serious you are about becoming more skillful in your field and how responsible you are to inquire about the different certification courses offered to the public these days.  I do know that once you become certified it shows others that you took the time to get that extra training and complete a study course to improve your knowledge and talents as a ghost hunter. People tend to take you more seriously at what you do in this field once you become certified.

After I became certified I noticed that more doors were opened to me and I was being asked to come and investigate places that were very hard to get into. I was also asked to teach classes in Ghost Hunting at our local community college.  I'm not claiming that when you become certified you will get a job at your local community college, I'm just explaining to you what happened to me after I became a Certified Ghost Hunter.

I would like to share with you how I started certifying other people interested in ghost hunting. I started treating my hobby of ghost hunting with serious research in the early 1990’s and then in 1996 I formed my first group of ghost hunters. I taught them all that I knew and shared with them my experience and skills so they could assist me with my research and we could learn together even more about this fascinating world of spirits.

In 1999 I decided to become a professional ghost hunter and found an organization, International Ghost Hunter Society, which had many years of paranormal experience to certify me as a ghost hunter, at a cost of $150.00. I put up a website to share my talents, skills, and years of collected evidence with others that might be interested in ghost hunting and to my surprise there were about 15 or so websites out there that were willing to exchange ideas on ghost hunting.

After our wedding in 2000 my husband and I decided to take a ballroom dance class at our community college. While I was there the administrator saw that I was wearing a T-shirt sporting a Ghost Chasers International logo and asked me what that meant. When I explained that I was a professional ghost hunter he asked me if I would be interested in teaching a class at the community college and that was the beginning of a wonderful relationship with the staff at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky. My first class was scheduled in early 2001 and I’ve been with them for six consecutive years.

The first Ghost Hunter course was such a success that the next month the college asked me to offer another class so we added the Advanced Ghost Hunter course. It didn’t take me long to realize that there was a wealth of talent that I could recruit from in my classes so I started gathering some of the most amazing and talented people to be part of my organization, Ghost Chasers International, as ghost hunters. Then I decided to develop a program where they could become certified and I’m proud to say all 60 plus members of my group are now certified. 

Ok, let’s look at the word “Certify”, as in the words Certified Ghost hunter. Here is the definition from Dictionary.com; “To Certify is to award a certificate to (a person) attesting to the completion of a course of study or the passing of a qualifying examination.”

The ghost hunter certification course I offer not only includes the course of study but it also includes a qualifying examination to which the student must complete in order to receive the certification. The students are also required to go on a field assignment to attest to their knowledge of the proper use of the equipment and procedures in a ghost investigation during the time of the course. The Certified Ghost Hunter Course fulfills the dictionary’s explanation “To Certify”.

Certification is also another way to let the public know that you have taken the time, energy, and discipline to further your skills in your field of expertise.  

Patti Starr is a world renowned paranormal investigator who owns the Ghost Chasers International organization founded in 1996 based in Lexington, Kentucky. She is also owner of the Ghost Hunter Shop located at 835 Porter Place, Lexington, Kentucky. Patti is also the tour guide for the immensely popular Bardstown Ghost Trek which she started in 1997 in Bardstown, KY.

With over 30 years of paranormal research and ghost investigations Patti has captured many anomalies in photos, videos and audios while investigating haunted locations. Her goal as an experienced and accomplished paranormal investigator is to collect evidence to support the premise that life goes on even after death. She is very active as a ghost researcher, author, lecturer, consultant, dowser, and teacher. Her book, Ghost Hunting in Kentucky and Beyond, is widely hailed as a must-have resource for all serious ghost hunters.

Patti has been teaching ghost hunting courses at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, Kentucky since 2001. She is currently lecturing at numerous universities, colleges, and libraries throughout the United States.

Directors of Student Activities can book Patti at

Patti’s work has been documented in numerous newspapers and magazines including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Oracle 20/20, Ghost Magazine and Southern Distinction.

Patti writes for the Lexington Herald-Leader online newspaper under the heading “Ask the Expert”. It is a forum for posing questions to certain professionals. Questions and answers are published for information and discussion purposes only.

In 2006 Patti Starr was voted as one of the Top Ten Ghost Hunter Paranormal Investigators in America for 2007, 2008 and again for 2009.

Link for Top 10 Ghost Hunter Paranormal Investigators in America: http://www.hauntedamericatours.com/toptenhaunted/2007/ghosthunters/

Patti is currently working on an event, ScareFest, which will be held at the Lexington Center on September 12, 13, 14, 2008 and hosted by Ghost Chasers International, Inc.  It is herald as is one of the biggest "Horror and Paranormal" conventions to be held in the Southeast.  It will feature many stars and celebrities from the horror and paranormal communities. Myspace the ScareFest.

Patti is a frequent guest on television and radio programs. She has been featured on national TV such as A&E “Airline” filmed in Birmingham, AL, at the haunted Sloss Furnaces and a film clip of that investigation was featured on the Montel Williams Show. She was also featured on the Food Network “The Best of Fright Food” filmed at the haunted Talbott Tavern in Bardstown, Kentucky.

Click to watch the movie
showing Patti Starr & Chip Coffey on "Airline"
doing the ghost hunt at Sloss Furnaces.

Click on the image above to see Patti Starr conducting
a ghost investigation filmed by A&E at
Penn State University