International Association for ESD Professionals

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ESDP Credential Application

Your Next Step in Creating Safer Communities

Ready to supercharge your ESD Career? Fill out the form below to take either the ESD Professional and ESD Associate credential exams.

If you have any questions while completing this application or you have issues with the form, contact the Credentialing Program Manager at credentials@esdprofessionals.org.

Tip: If something doesn’t work, first scroll to the bottom of the form and click on “Save and Resume Later”. Then return to the form.

Credential exam session 3 will be October 13-27, 2026. Apply now!

Note: Exam sessions are now 2-week windows to accommodate everyone’s schedule.

Exam sessions are for both the ESD Professional AND the ESD Associate Exams. Use the same application to apply for either exam.

Applications are due October 6, 2026.

Please contact us at credentials@esdprofessionals.org for questions.

Exam application

Apply for the ESD Professional or ESD Associate Credential Exam

Ready to supercharge your ESD Career? Apply to take one of our Credentialing Exams. This Application is for both the ESD Professional and ESD Associate Exams. Information about the exams and pricing can be found here: https://www.esdprofessionals.org/iaesdp-credentialing-exam

You can save and restart this form at any time by clicking "Save and Resume Later" on the very bottom of the form. Your draft will be saved only 30 days.

If you have any questions while completing this application or you have issues with the form, contact the Credentialing Program Manager Krista Hanley at credentials@esdprofessionals.org.

Tip: If something doesn't work, first scroll to the bottom of the form and click on "Save and Resume Later". Then return to the form.

Name
Please include country code
Address
Which Credential Exam are you applying to take?
If you select "I'm not sure" please fill out this application as completely as possible and we will be in touch to discuss the options with you.
I am applying for the following Exam period
See the Credentialing Pages on our website for dates of the next exam period. https://www.esdprofessionals.org/exam/

ESD TRAINING & EDUCATION

Did you receive a certification from ESD Global?
ESD Global trained and certified instructors are eligible for member pricing for the exams
Are you currently being mentored by an ESD Professional in any capacity?

ESD TEACHING EXPERIENCE

What is the nature of your ESD teaching?
Check all that apply
Do you train ESD Instructors?
Please only indicate personalized group or one-on-one instructor training, not pre-recorded virtual and online courses.
Have you ever mentored other ESD Instructors?

OTHER EDUCATION

Examples: Degree in social work or psychology, yoga teacher training, personal trainer work, etc.
Examples: University or primary school teaching, first aid certification, performance or public speaking experience, etc.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Please upload your CV or resume. It may include your work experience, education, achievements, and skills. This will not be public. Files should be under 10 MB.
Please include a biography written in third person that we can share publicly. Please keep the biography under 250 words. Your biography could include your name, occupation, achievements, ESD training, and country. By filling out this field, you are agreeing to the public use of your biography for Association announcements.
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Please upload a headshot we can share publicly. Please ensure the photograph is a front-facing view and includes your face. By uploading a headshot, you are agreeing to the public use of your headshot for Association announcements. Photos should be under 10 MB.
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
Please upload a photograph of you in action - doing or teaching ESD - that we can share publicly. Please ensure the photograph only includes your face, and if there are other people their faces are not visible. By uploading a photo, you are agreeing to the public use of it for Association announcements. Photos should be under 10 MB.
Permissions
When you pass your credential exam, we will try to tag you in our announcements. If you do not want to be tagged, please do not add your social links.

MEMBERSHIP

Are you a member of the Association of ESD Professionals?
Association Members get 20% off the Credential Exam fees, for any pricing tier.

EXAM COST

Sliding Scale & Self-Selection Statement

The Association offers international tiered and sliding scale fees to increase access while sustaining the long-term resilience and financial wellbeing of our professional community.

In the spirit of Empowerment Self Defense, we trust participants to self-select the tier that aligns with their current financial reality. You are the expert on your own circumstances.

We invite you to:
- Choose the tier that reflects your actual ability to pay.
- Consider your access to financial stability, savings, and other resources.
- Contribute at a higher tier if you are able, knowing that doing so increases access for others in our field.
- There is no application, verification, or justification required for the pricing tiers. We operate from the belief that integrity and self-awareness are core leadership skills.

Selecting your rate is an act of both personal agency and community responsibility.

The IAESDP may also be able to offer a Credential Fee Waiver to cover the cost of your Exam if you cannot pay the minimum exam fees. See the FEE WAIVER section below for more information.

If you have a coupon code for the exam cost, please put it here. If it's valid, the code will be applied when you are invoiced.

FEE WAIVER

The IAESDP may be able to provide a Credential Fee Waiver to exam candidates for those with financial barriers. If you cannot pay a minimum of $60 USD for the ESDP Exam or $35 USD for the ESDA Exam, please select the Fee Waiver Option below to submit your application for reivew.

All Fee Waiver applications received are weighed equitably and inclusively, applying Empowerment Self Defense principles to the best of our ability. If you have any questions about the process, please contact us at info@esdprofessionals.org.

Fee Waiver Eligibility

An applicant may qualify when:

  1. the eligible IAESDP fee presents a meaningful economic barrier;
  2. the applicant submits a complete request;
  3. the applicant provides the required self-attestation;
  4. the applicant has not exceeded the applicable waiver-frequency limit;
  5. the applicant is not disqualified by a conflict of interest;
  6. the requested fee falls within the categories available during the applicable period; and
  7. waiver capacity remains available.

Apply for Economic Access Fee Waiver at this link: https://www.esdprofessionals.org/economic-access-support-application/

Fee Waiver Option

Economic Access Fee Waiver Self-Attestation

I certify that the IAESDP fee identified in this application presents a meaningful economic barrier to my participation in the Credentialing Program. The information I have provided is accurate and complete; IAESDP may request limited additional information when reasonably necessary to verify eligibility or prevent duplicate or fraudulent requests. I understand the fee waiver applies only to the approved IAESDP credentialing fee; the waiver has no cash value and cannot be transferred or reimbursed; the waiver does not cover outside costs unless expressly stated; membership and credentialing requirements remain unchanged; requesting or receiving a credentialing fee waiver will not affect the substantive credentialing decision; and approval is subject to published eligibility requirements and available waiver capacity. 

Self-Attestation Agreement for Fee Waiver (Do you agree to the above?)
If you can pay a portion or percentage of the Tier 6 exam fee, please let us know here.
Drag & Drop Files, Choose Files to Upload
This upload can be proof of income via tax documents or paystubs; or it can be as simple as a letter, on letterhead, explaining your financial need.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Do you have access to a desktop computer with a video camera to take the exam?
We can offer the exam on cell phones and tablets, but it will require downloading a special app. Otherwise we are happy to help find an adequate testing location with a usable computer and internet access, if possible, in your area, or provide another way for you to take the exam.
I would like to request any kind of accommodation for taking the exam
Examples: Issues related to vision, test anxiety, unstable or unavailable internet access, no access to a computer in a private setting, language access, etc.

AGREEMENTS

CODE OF ETHICS
READ THE ASSOCIATION CODE OF ETHICS HERE

(It will open in a new window)

Ethics Code Acknowledgement

CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY
READ THE ASSOCIATION EXAM CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY HERE

(It will open in a new window)

It is critical to the integrity of the exam and the Association Credential Program that the exam and all its contents remain confidential. Therefore, the Association has created a policy whereby all exam candidates sign a statement declaring that they have read and understood the Exam Confidentiality Policy and that they agree to abide by it.

By signing below, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Association Exam Confidentiality Policy and agree to abide by it and all of its terms and provisions. I further agree not to participate in any conduct identified as cheating before, during, or after exam administration and acknowledge that penalties for violating the Exam Confidentiality Policy may result in review by an Association Review Panel.

Clear Signature
Would you like to receive email updates, resources, and news from the International Association of ESD Professionals.? (copy) (copy)
This field is not required. Please leave it blank to opt out.

I declare that the information provided in this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge and that the documents submitted in support of this application are genuine. I understand that any dishonesty will be grounds for considering denial of this application.

Clear Signature
How did you hear about the credentialing program?
Save and Resume Later

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Join the association as a member and grow as an ESD Professional. 

We are here to support you as you empower the world – creating safer communities together.

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