IDC® Certification Board

Qualifications for the Certification Board include the following:

• Board members may not be involved in facilitating preparation courses in relation to the CDP® or CDE® certification examinations or creating any training materials for the CDP® or CDE® examinations related to preparation courses. If the member has previously worked on curriculum, they must wait until the next exam form is developed before they are eligible for the Certification Board.

• Certification Board members must possess professional experience in one or more stakeholder groups, as well as represent diverse geographies around the world.
• Each member shall have prior nonprofit/NGO or corporate Board experience.
• Members must be available to participate in 80% of Board and/or Committee meetings.
• All Board members must be in good standing in the DEI community and possess an upstanding character that contributes to advancing IDC’s mission.

The public members are selected from individuals with experience and understanding of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion principles and practice. Public members have prior experience working with boards, associations, or groups. They have basic knowledge of certification best practices and the test development process. The IDC Board has at least 2 public members to ensure accreditation compliance.

The IDC public member should NOT be any of the following:

1. A current or previous member of the profession, occupation, role, or specialty area encompassed by the IDC certification program. 
2. A supervisor, manager, direct co-worker, or an employee or subordinate of individuals in the profession encompassed by the IDC certification program. 
3. An employee of an individual certified by the IDC or of an employer of individuals in the profession encompassed by the IDC certification program.
4. Currently deriving income from the profession encompassed by the IDC certification program.
5. Have derived in any of the five years preceding their appointment as a public member on the governing body of our total income from the profession encompassed by the IDC certification program.

The term of office for each of the Elected Members shall be 3 years. Members who have not reached a term limit may seek re-election once their service date expires. Expiring terms of Elected Board Members shall be filled from a diverse slate of nominees prepared by the Nomination Committee. Newly elected or re-elected Board Members shall take office each year on January 1. If there are fewer than 9 Members on the Board, new Members shall be seated at the first meeting following the termination of the ninth Member. Members shall be eligible for election to the Board for not more than three (3) consecutive terms. Any vacancy on the Certification Board shall be filled by a majority vote by the Board. The successor shall serve the unexpired portion of the term of their predecessor. For the first few terms of the initial Board, IDC may provide an exception to maintain some Board Members to keep continuity. This would prevent all Board members from retiring at the same time. Exceptions to total consecutive years of service will be considered when there is a compelling case reviewed and approved by the IDC.