To find out about the Certified Career Development Professional Designation, read the Application Guide. This includes information on the education, experience, knowledge, attitude, and skill requirements; an application form, and a reference questionnaire. (MS Word; links will each open a new browser window.)

Only CDAA members in good standing are eligible to apply for certification. Applicants who know they do not currently meet the criteria for certification should wait until they do meet the requirements before submitting an application (i.e., if you have not yet completed the educational requirements, if you are not currently employed in one of the areas of qualifying work or if you do not have enough hours of qualifying work experience, do not submit an application at this time).

Applicants must:

1. be currently employed* in one of the qualifying areas of work experience
2. have a minimum 3,000 hours qualifying work experience within the past five years (not including work hours completed within a practicum)
3. have successfully completed an accredited post-secondary education programme in Career Development to the minimum of a certificate level
4. have successfully completed one accredited course in Ethics and Professional Conduct with a minimum weight of 1 academic credit
5. have successfully completed one accredited course in Career Development Theory with a minimum weight of 3 academic credits

It is the applicant's responsibility to submit a complete application (i.e., submit all information and documentation requested).