Opencart Partners how to choose?

Hi all,

If someone can let me know, how about the OpenCart premium partners? Always in the TS they request, advise to use one of those partners.

I am trying to look for premium only, i assume those are tested?, because they are checked by Opencart it self or how does it work.
How do they get those reputations or levels? Opencart is requesting, asking or passes by. Because Country based, i assume Opencart does not fly-in.
So its just basic default documents what they give you and you fill in or really more deeper then that?

What are the pre-requirements?

If you need someone, only to look for GOLD or does it not mather?

what are default steps, because i don't want that everyone logs in on my backend or ftp. If i need help with a project.

If you click on Apply Now you can see some of the criteria of joining. Looks more like a markinging partnership.