OP here. Thanks PPs for reminding me that although the exam is difficult and prep is time consuming and expensive the effort is probably well worth it. Sometimes it helps to hear that.

Yes. Life doesn't always work out as you hope and not all of us get intellectual fulfillment at work. A nice life is a nice life.

This is such a difficult question to answer. Can you provide more specifics? What kind of certification?

Bar exam? CPA exam? Probably out of your reach.

Project Management (PMS) or Certified Internal Auditor on the other hand would be an "easy get". But, you would have to start from the bottom. Depending on your age... if you don't mind being a lowly staff 1 at the age of (fill in the blank).

Yes

I would. I think it always makes sense to keep your options open and credentials make you more employable. If you've already invested time in that profession, what do ou have to lose? Keep in mind that you might need to put in extra time once you get the professional credential for required continuing education.

If you aren't really interested in a particular type of work would you take an exam for a professional cert to make yourself more marketable in that field? Jobs in the field are tedious and boring but they provide a decent income and job security.