CDP® & CDE® Recertification
A group of IDC Designees, led by license The Gatson Group's Felicia Johnson

CDP® and CDE® Designees

Specializing in Forward-Thinking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Development Since 2009

Specializing in Forward-Thinking Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leadership Development Since 2009

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What's Your Legacy?

Commitment + Integrity + Excellence

Recertification demonstrates your commitment to diversity and your continued mastery of the field. It also indicates accountability. Employers and clients insist on the highest possible standards of personal integrity, professional competence, sound judgment, and discretion. 


Candidate v. Designee

A Candidate is pursuing certification. A Designee has successfully achieved a Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® or Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® designation. A credentialed individual can become a Candidate again if pursuing the CDE®, which supersedes and replaces the CDP®.

Recertification

What Is Recertification?

The purpose of recertification is to maintain an active certification status by which CDP® or CDE® professionals or leaders demonstrate to the public that they have current and up-to-date knowledge and experience.


The CDP® and CDE® Certification programs both require recertification to maintain the knowledge, skills, and/or competencies  required to successfully perform a professional DEI role. The cycle for recertification is every three years. The recertification cycle begins the day after notification of successful certification.


Designees must accrue 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every three (3) years by participating in qualifying professional development activities, as well as pay a $50 fee. A designee must also Comply with IDC’s Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice. The policies may also be found in the respective program's Candidate Handbook.


Demographics, laws, research, terminology, behaviors, expectations, attitudes, needs, technology, and best practices can all change and impact a DEI practitioner’s or executive’s efforts. Meeting requirements for continued competence every three (3) years allows credential holders to ensure that they take every precaution to safeguard the public against adverse events from discrimination, harassment, bias, racial profiling, and other social harms

Maintaining Credentials

The CDP® and CDE® credentials are valid for three years; designees must recertify during each three-year period to maintain their designation. The recertification cycle begins the first day of the month after notification of CDP® or CDE® achievement. 


  1. Pay the $50 recertification fee once every three (3) years. Pay the fee here.
  2. Acquire 60 continuing education credits every three (3) years (effective Feb. 14, 2023).
  3. Adhere to Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)® Code of Ethics and Rules of Professional Conduct.
  4. Keep us updated! Let us know if your contact information changes and share your successes in this survey.


If a certification is lapsed more than one (1) year, the designee must submit a new Candidate Project and pay a $250 recertification fee. Renew an expired CDP® or CDE® credential.

Continuing Education Credits

Designees must accrue 60 continuing education units (CEUs) every three (3) years by participating in qualifying professional development activities.


Recertification credits must tie directly to the broad competencies of CDP® or CDE® credentials. There are many ways for you to acquire CEUs on your own or through IDC volunteerism, The Society for Diversity membership activities, or an official recertification provider.

IDC

  • Review Candidate Projects
  • Serve as a guest speaker for online exam prep courses
  • Volunteer for specific activities posted in the CN


Interested? Call (800) 983-6192 or email Chanteé.

IDC Membership


Join Membership to stay abreast of upcoming events.

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The Gatson Group

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State of Washington

A recertification resource for state employees

Calculating Your CEUs

Society is changing rapidly, and so does our field. Participating in continuing education helps ensure all professionals evolve their skills accordingly. We recommend acquiring 20 CEUs per year. Once you attain 60 credits, there is no need to submit additional CEUs.


You may log one credit for one hour of activity. As a best practice, enter the credits upon completing the activity. Use the recertification activity guide to help determine what activities are approved.

Upload Your CEU Tracker to CourseNetworking

Log CEUs using the CEU tracker or upload CEUs into the CN learning management system. Submit your credits at any time. Please log-in to submit one activity at a time using hourly increments (e.g., 1.00, 1.15, 1.30, 1.45). You may contact Chanteé for log-in credentials to the LMS.

Recertification Fees and Policies

Once certified, your credentials are valid for three (3) years. Designees must maintain compliance with IDC’s Code of Ethics and Standard of Practice, and earn 20 continuing education credits every three (3) year period for a total of 60 CEUs. Visit the Recertification page for details on tracking CEU activity. There is a $50 recertification fee. Pay the recertification fee.


Effective February 14, 2023, if a certification lapses more than one (1) year, designees will not have to retest but you must submit another Candidate Project and pay a $250 fee in order to recertify. Pay the expired recertification fee.


Pilot participants are required to take the Refresher course as part of their recertification process, which runs on a three-year cycle.

  • IDC Membership and Certification

    Certification and Membership are separate programs. 

    • You have the option of adding on Membership for a discounted rate when registering for Certification.
    • Additionally, Members receive a discount on Certification.

    Renewing your Membership does not renew your Certification, and recertification does not include an annual Membership. 

    • Recertification occurs every three (3) years.
    • Membership renews annually.

  • CN Access

    Candidate and Designee access to CourseNetworking (thecn.com) automatically expires on the last day of the month that you are scheduled to complete your certification (1 year) or are scheduled to recertify (3 years).


    To ensure uninterrupted access, make sure to schedule your exam, submit your Candidate Project, pay any fee, and/or upload your 60 CEUs before the expiration date.


    • Certification example: If your certification year ends August 31, 2025, the assessment (both the Candidates Project and exam) is due by August 30, 2025.
    • Recertification example: If you are scheduled to recertify on August 31, 2024, your recertification fee must be paid and 60 CEUs uploaded for review by August 30th. 

    If your Certification timeframe expires, a $350 Exam Change Fee is due prior to account reactivation.


    Recertifying Designees receive 90-, 60-, and 30-day email reminders directly from the CN when your recertification month is approaching. If your certification lapses more than one year, there is a $250 recertification fee due along with a new Candidate Project.



  • Withdrawals and/or Refunds

    Candidates who withdraw from the program within 14 days of their registration date may receive a refund, minus a $1,000 administrative fee. No refunds will be provided, for any reason, after 15 days have expired. Candidates may choose to reschedule or make a substitution in the same calendar year (January 1st through December 31st) without being charged a fee. If a substitution is made in a subsequent calendar year, the $350 exam change fee applies.


    If a Candidate chooses to withdraw, study guides must be returned unused or the cost of the study guide will be deducted from the refund along with the withdrawal fee. Allow 30 days for refund processing.


    Nonrefundable fees include IDC exam and recertification fees and Membership fees; substitutions may be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

  • Class Change Policy

    Candidates enrolled in the 8-week Online Program may change to the 3-day Academy for free in weeks one (1) through four (4). After the fourth week, a Class Change Fee of $200 will be assessed.

  • Examination Reschedule Policy

    IDC offers year-round testing. Candidates may take the knowledge exam or submit the Candidate Project at any time. If necessary, a Candidate may reschedule their knowledge-based examination at any time.


    There is no fee to reschedule the examination more than 48 hours in advance of the test. Changes within 48 hours of your test is considered a late cancellation.


    Candidates must contact the specific testing center to change their examination date.

  • Late Cancellation Policy

    Any changes not made within 48 hours of the knowledge exam appointment are considered a late cancellation and will require a $350 examination change fee. There are no exceptions to this late cancellation policy. Pay the exam change fee.

  • Retest Policy

    Candidates who fail the CDP® or CDE® examination and/or Candidate Project are eligible to retake the assessments. Candidates must wait 28 calendar days (approximately 4 weeks). Each Candidate can only take each portion of the assessment a maximum of three (3) times in one calendar year. A candidate is eligible for two exam or Candidate Project retests per calendar year. The knowledge exam retest fee is $617 per sitting. Pay the fee.

  • Returned Checks Policy

    An administrative fee of $35 will be charged for all returned checks.

  • Nondiscrimination Policy

    The Institute for Diversity Certification prohibits discrimination on the basis of age, gender, race, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. IDC's credentialing process is designed to be fair to all Candidates.

Ready to Recertify?

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