We have partnered with the Institute of Diversity to offer two Diversity Certifications, Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®) and Certified Diversity Professional (CDP®).
Eligibility for the CDE® Exam
When Candidates are not sure where to start, we typically recommend the CDP. The Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® credential picks up in the middle because it assumes that you already know the basics of D&I. The program is not based on one’s title; it is designed for practitioners who support more advanced, complex or global D&I efforts. The CDE requires at least five (5) years of experience and a current leadership role (irrespective of one’s title). Further, the CDE® is ready to remove systemic barriers such as bias or blind spots, and you seek to diversify more than your workforce. For example, the CDE may focus on diversifying the Board, suppliers, products/services, and more.
Eligibility for the CDP® Exam
The Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® credential is designed for individuals who are working with an organization in the beginning stages of their D&I journey. It is designed to expand the concept of D&I beyond political correctness or affirmative action, as well as apply best practices for creating the business case, engaging in strategic diversity planning, training, recruiting, resource groups, measuring outcomes, and more. It requires at least two (2) years of experience, which can be demonstrated in a variety of different ways.
The Assessment Instruments
Your application for the program serves as your exam registration. Be sure that the name on your application matches the name on a valid form of ID. This is required in order for you to take the test.
PSI provides state-of-the-art, secure internet-based testing and proctored exam administration at over 600 locations throughout the world. PSI’s PanPowered system offers easy exam scheduling on weekdays, weekends and in the evenings, where available.
In the Learning Management System, you will select the month that you wish to take the test. Enter the first of the month that you wish to take the test in the Exam Date field in My Info. You will choose the actual day, time and location once you receive the exam scheduling link in email. Make sure you request the scheduling link before the first of the month. Also, choose the correct time zone in the PanPowered system and verify that you received the correct exam scheduling link: CDP® or CDE®.
On the day of the test, be sure to bring your ID and arrie 15-minutes early. If you are taking the test on a college campus, make sure you give yourself plenty of time to park and find the building. Candidates must submit their Projects on the LMS prior to taking the exam, as the testing center will not accept any projects.
About the CDP® Exam
The Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® program is a great starting point for effective Equity, Diversity and Inclusion work! It is designed to enhance cultural competency and help an organization enrich its approach to diversity.
“Experience” for the CDP® credential is not limited to individuals with a paid work history in Diversity or Human Resources. Experience can include professional qualifications in management, law, multicultural marketing, supplier diversity, sales, recruiting, training, supplier diversity, consulting, or volunteering for a diversity council or resource group. Candidates should have at least 2-years of experience.
Additionally, the CDP® credential requires practitioners to: (1) pass a 170- question, multiple choice exam with an 80% or greater; and (2) submit an approved professional work, or Candidate Project.
Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the knowledge exam, although most CDP Candidates finish the test within 1-hour.
Upon successfully completing the program, the credentials are valid for 3 years, at which time practitioners must show 60 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) and pay a $50 recertification fee. Click on Designees for more information.
About the CDE® Exam
The Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® credential challenges conventional equity and diversity work, and reinforces the need for organizations to lead inclusion from the top. The credential empowers executives to advance the organization beyond diverse representation towards thought leadership.
“Experience” for the CDE® credential is not limited to individuals with a paid work history in Diversity or Human Resources. Experience can include professional qualifications in management, law, multicultural marketing, supplier diversity, sales, recruiting, training, supplier diversity, consulting, or volunteering for a diversity council or resource group. Candidates should have at least 5-years of experience, plus a current leadership role.
“A Current Leadership Role” includes those who have terminated employment within the last six (6) months. Candidates may manage a division/department, aspire to manage a division/department, lead a resource group or diversity council, and may or may not have direct reports.
The CDE® credential requires practitioners to: (1) pass a 170- question, multiple choice exam with an 80% or greater; and (2) submit an approved professional work, or Candidate Project.
Candidates will have 2.5 hours to complete the knowledge exam, although most CDE Candidates finish the test within 1.5 hours.
Upon successfully completing the program, the credentials are valid for 3 years, at which time practitioners must show 60 Continuing Education Units (CEU’s) and pay a $50 recertification fee.
About the Candidate Project
The Candidate Project is a professional work submission that demonstrates that practitioners have the knowledge AND they can do the work. Although many candidates are apprehensive about the project initially, most practitioners come to enjoy this portfolio-building exercise. Completion of a “Candidate Project” meets the additional experience requirements for each credential. Candidates will be required to complete a project before noon on their exam date. You may submit your project as early as you choose, but late projects will not be accepted. Projects will be evaluated for thoroughness, accuracy, and impact.
The project must be the candidate’s own work and have been completed within the last year. Group projects are acceptable, however, they should note the members in the group and describe how individual candidates contributed to the project.
The Candidate Project is peer-reviewed, which means that a current CDP® or CDE® designee will review the professional work and determine if the project meets the criteria for a certified professional or executive. There are instructions and Candidate Project samples in the LMS. Please note, the Candidate Project score is independent of the exam score. Candidates must pass both portions.