International Association for ESD Professionals

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Credentialing Exam

Applications are now Open!

The Credentialing Exam

Exam dates for Period 3 2025 are: August 19-26
Applications are due by August 12 Exam dates for Period 4 2025 are: October 7-14
Applications are due by September 27

Apply Now

 

The Credentialing Exam is offered four times a year, quarterly.

 

Application Process

  1. Before filling out the application, gather the following:
    1. Your professional (ESD-related) curriculum vitae or resume.
    2. Your professional (ESD-related) biography. This biography should be written in third person and under 250 words. It should include your name, country, and could include occupation, achievements, ESD training, etc. This biography will be used publicly by the Association.
    3. Your headshot. Please ensure the photograph is front-facing. This headshot will be used publicly by the Association.
    4. Optional: An action pose of you doing or teaching ESD. Please ensure the only visible face is your own. This will be used publicly by the Association.
    5. A recent (within 6 months) background check for United States-based instructors. If you don’t have this yet, you may complete one before taking the exam. Go to this website: BackgroundReport.com/self and choose the “Check Yourself” option. Select “Basic”. No need for those outside of the US.
  2. Before filling out the application, read the following:
    1. The Association Code of Ethics
    2. The Exam Confidentiality Policy
  3. Complete the Application by the due date above.
  4. Reach out to two people to provide you with character references. Provide them with the following link: https://www.esdprofessionals.org/credentialing-recommendation-form/
    1. Note: We need the recommendation forms filled out by BOTH your references NO LATER THAN the due date above.

After Applying

  1. You will receive an email approving your Application or requiring additional information.
  2. You will receive a link to provide payment.
  3. When payment is complete, receive two links for the Exam (it’s been split into two sections to make it easier to schedule).
  4. Take a simple systems test to make sure your computer and operating system are compatible with the software.
  5. Once the Exam Period opens, take the Exam in two parts (or back to back) at time(s) convenient to you.
    1. You will need a photo ID for when you take the exam.

Good luck!

 

Timing & Time Zones

You may take the exam parts on any day or days, at any time within the exam period. This way, no matter your time zone, you can choose a convenient time to take the exam. If you would like to request any special accommodations for taking the exam, follow the link for doing so on your application.

Apply Today!

FAQ

Here are some answers to the most asked questions about the IAESDP Credentialing Exam.

Exam Pricing Collapse

One of the benefits of being a member of the Association is that you receive an 20% discount on Credentialing Exam pricing as listed below. The Association also offers international tiered pricing and discounted pricing for those requiring financial assistance.

Non-Member Exam Pricing

Tier 1: Very High-Income Economies

  • Exam Price: $400
  • Annual Income Range: $60,000 and above

Tier 2: High-Income Economies

  • Exam Price: $320
  • Annual Income Range: $40,000 – $60,000

Tier 3: Upper-Middle-Income Economies

  • Exam Price: $240
  • Annual Income Range: $20,000 – $40,000

Tier 4: Lower-Middle-Income Economies

  • Exam Price: $160
  • Annual Income Range: $10,000 – $20,000

Tier 5: Low-Income Economies

  • Exam Price: $100
  • Annual Income Range: $5,000 – $10,000

Tier 6: Very Low-Income Economies (Extreme Poverty)

  • Exam Price: $60
  • Annual Income Range: Below $5,000

 

IAESDP Member Organization Representatives Discount: 20%

If your organization is a member of the Association, its three Organization Representatives will receive a 20% discount.

Your organization can join as an Organization Member here.

Discount for Organization Team Members: 15%

If your organization is a member of the Association, Organization staff (Org Team Members) will receive this discount.

Financial Assistance 

For Financial Assistance, please complete the form on the Application or contact us.

About the Exam Expand

The Mercer | Mettl interface for taking the Association Credentialing Exam is straightforward and user friendly. The Association will send you registration information with plenty of advance notice, so you’ll have time to set up your account and test your equipment well in advance of your scheduled exam time.

The Association Credentialing Exam is split into five modules, as outlined in the Core Competencies page. Each module includes a variety of multiple-choice questions, followed by several open-ended questions.

The multiple-choice questions are complex, but they’re not trick questions! Many have more than one apparent “right answer,” which is an invitation to stop and think through what is being tested in the context of the core competencies for that module. There will be one best (not the only) choice.

The open-ended questions allow you to dive deep and dig into the complexities of context and culture, the things which multiple choice does not allow. This is a place to demonstrate your depth of knowledge and experience; however, you don’t need to write a book for each question. A paragraph or two is what we are looking for. Focus on communicating your points clearly and concisely, without worrying about sentence structure or grammar (grading is strictly based on content). Bullet points are perfectly acceptable.

The exam is expected to take approximately three to five hours, but that time can vary greatly depending on you.

NEW: We have now split the exam into two parts to make it easier to take within the exam window. Please set aside time to take the two parts either in one long session (3-5 hours or more) or two sessions (1.5-2.5 hours or more). You will receive two test links – you must take both parts of the exam to become Credentialed!

Please reach out to us if you need accommodations for test anxiety, hearing or sight impairments, or any other reason. We want you to succeed!

See the Exam Handbook for more detailed information about every aspect of the Credentialing Exam and read our blog for tips and encouragement for a stress-free exam experience. Good luck!

Timing and Time Zones Expand

You may take the exam on any day or days, at any time within the exam period. This way, no matter your time zone, you can choose a convenient time to take the exam. If you would like to request any special accommodations for taking the exam, follow the link for doing so on your application.

New: The exam has now been divided into two parts. You can elect to find two different days to take part one and part two, or take both parts back to back. Everyone will receive two links for the two parts of the exam, no matter how they choose to take the exam.

I am starting out my ESD career, is this exam for me? Expand

The Association strongly recommends, but does not require, that candidates apply when they have completed 100 hours or two years of ESD experience and education, combined (at least 50 hours of experience and no more than 25 hours of physical-only self-defense skills training going toward the 100 hours).

The Association recognizes that many ESD practitioners may have taught themselves, learned from fellow professionals outside of formal certificate programs, or are the trailblazers who created and developed empowerment self-defense. Therefore, we do not have a blanket recommendation with regard to ESD education. However, for those who are newer to ESD, we do recommend some formal training with ESD instructors or organizations, especially those with instructor training programs.

How do I pass the exam? Expand

The exam is pass/fail. You must pass each module to pass the entire exam. If you fail a module, you can retake it!

The exam will be graded in two ways:

1) the multiple choice questions will be graded by the software, and

2) other questions such as short-answer and essay questions, will be graded by ESD credentialed instructors (your peers!) who are members of an advisory council called the Credential Pool. An answer key and training will be provided to the Credential Pool.

What happens if I fail? Expand

We are on your team! We want you to succeed-in the Credentialing Program, in your ESD career, in life. And so, you may always re-take the exam if you do not pass, and only the module or modules that gave you trouble. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the exam, but we don’t expect this to be relevant too often.

Like we said, we’re rooting for you. We have designed this program to honor the work you are already doing and the knowledge you already share with your communities.

What is Proctoring? Expand

The Credential Exam is “proctored,” which means the exam-taking is supervised by a person or software to ensure integrity, prevent cheating, and verify the identity of the exam-taker.

Currently, virtual Exams use remote AI (recorded artificial intelligence) proctoring through the test-taking software to monitor the candidate’s:

  • Screen: to prevent accessing websites and other documents
  • Webcam: to identify cheating via looking at phone, notes, or other sources
  • Audio: to identify if the test-taker is talking to someone
  • Verify identity: through taking a screenshot of the test taker and their ID before the start of the Exam.

Virtual proctoring data is not shared with any third parties. The data is reviewed by the credential program administrator. If there is suspected cheating, the relevant screenshots or data will be shared with the ECC to review for disciplinary actions.

Is the software recording me while I take the exam? Expand

Yes, but the only person who has access to that recording is the Exam Administrator. When you see “warning messages” on your screen (ie. “You just looked away.” “We do not recognize your face.”), those moments of the recordings get tagged, and Exam Administrator can check a freeze frame of that moment if she thinks it might be suspicious activity.

What if I need certain accommodations to take the exam? Expand

Accessibility is a high priority for the Association. We will gladly make accommodations for exam takers who suffer from test anxiety, speak English as a second language, or need accommodations for sight or hearing impairments or for any other reason.

You may indicate on your Exam Application that you need an accommodation. If we don’t already have a procedure in place, we will do our best to work with you to find a solution.

Have more questions? Drop us a line and we’ll be happy to address them. Click Here to email our Credentialing Department.