The highest and most authoritative level of the calligraphy examination is the professional level 3 (i.e. 10) of the Examination Center of China Calligraphers Association, and the certificate above level 6 will be given to you step by step. It's quite difficult, for example, professional level 1 (equivalent to level 8), and you must have a membership card of the provincial calligraphers association to apply directly. All other so-called levels are sidelined. The same is true for hard pens.
The most authoritative and highest award for calligraphy is Lanting Calligraphy Award, because all the contestants are members of China Calligraphers Association and above, and many calligraphers dare not contribute.
Regarding whether to write traditional Chinese characters, I once read an article about it (Qigong), which should be based on personal preference. Of course, there are more strokes in traditional Chinese characters, so I still write more traditional Chinese characters.