someone correct me if I am wrong but I thought they changed the requirements for individual accounts awhile ago (that post was made in 2009)
here is the link for individual account requirements from Google:
What are the requirements for becoming Individually Qualified?
Individual Qualification is a way of demonstrating proficiency in AdWords, attained by studying for and passing our certification exams. To become a Qualified Individual, you'll need to meet the following requirements:
Pass both the Fundamentals exam and one of our three advanced exams.
Be aware of, and in compliance with our program Terms and Conditions; you accept these terms when automatically by enrolling in the program.
We've added the advanced exams to give you a way to study for exams related to your role or specialization so you can differentiate your skills. There is no minimum spend requirement to be Individually Qualified.
Once you've met the criteria listed above, it usually takes one to two days before this information is updated on the site. You can view your exam pass status on the Company tab under "AdWords Partner Status".