New Testing Platform - Major Step Forward for ESDP Credentialing
- International Association of ESD Professionals
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The International Association of ESD Professionals is proud to announce the launch of a new virtual testing platform for the Empowerment Self Defense Professional (ESDP) Credentialing Exam. This significant upgrade reflects the Association’s ongoing commitment to strengthening professional standards in the ESD field and ensuring accessibility for practitioners around the globe.
In partnership with global assessment leader Mercer | Mettl, the new platform offers a dramatically improved experience for test takers. From a user-friendly interface to a simplified exam scheduling system, every feature has been designed with the candidate in mind. The streamlined registration and testing process ensures greater flexibility, convenience, and a smoother pathway toward earning the ESDP Credential.
“We are excited to offer this new platform to enhance the accessibility, integrity, and ease of use for the credentialing exam.” Krista Hanley, Credentialing Program Manager
What is ESD?
Empowerment Self Defense (ESD) is a globally recognized, evidence-based approach to violence prevention and self-defense. It emphasizes emotional, verbal, and physical strategies for de-escalation and self-protection, while also promoting personal agency, empowerment, and social change. ESD is practiced in communities worldwide and intersects with related fields such as martial arts, advocacy, education, and mental health.
Why Action Can’t Wait
The rise of online abuse, recent conflicts worldwide, and surging economic inequalities are intensifying threats to women’s autonomy. Even in first-world countries like France—long assumed beyond the need for such education—recent high-profile cases, including that of Gisèle Pelicot, highlight the persistence of Predator Culture. “Online and offline violence share a root cause: deeply ingrained cultural norms that silence survivors and shield perpetrators,” explains Barsac Fitzgerald. “ESD breaks that silence, giving individuals tools to protect themselves and build solidarity.”
About the ESDP Credential
The ESD Professional Credential (ESDP) is a formal recognition of an individual’s knowledge, skills, experience, and ethical standards in Empowerment Self Defense. Unlike certificate or certification programs, which may focus on one training methodology or baseline competencies, a credential represents a holistic, rigorous evaluation overseen by an independent body—in this case, the ESD Credentialing Committee (ECC).
Candidates earn the ESDP by passing the Credentialing Exam and maintaining ongoing professional standards. The exam and credentialing process have been developed in consultation with the international ESD community and follow best practices in credential development and maintenance.
Holding the ESDP signifies that a practitioner’s work aligns with the core principles of Empowerment Self Defense and meets global standards of professional competence, social responsibility, and ethical practice. The ESDP also enhances the visibility and legitimacy of ESD instruction in diverse cultural and professional contexts.
Scope of Practice
ESD Professionals are certified to teach a wide range of personal safety and empowerment skills, including:
- Emotional, verbal, and social skills to foster agency and self-determination.
- Responses to harmful interactions—emotional, verbal, psychological, or physical.
- Physical techniques for defense against violence.
- Education and advocacy for a violence-free world.
While many ESD practitioners draw on related disciplines such as martial arts, social work, or health education, the ESDP Credential affirms competence strictly within the defined ESD Scope of Practice. Other qualifications or practices outside this scope remain governed by their respective professional bodies.
A New Era for Credentialing
The release of the new testing platform represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of the ESD profession. By removing barriers to access and simplifying the exam process, the Association aims to make credentialing more inclusive and supportive for practitioners from all backgrounds.
“We believe in the power of ESD to create safer communities and transform lives. This platform brings us one step closer to ensuring that high-quality, ethically grounded ESD instruction is recognized and accessible worldwide.”
For more information about the ESDP Credential and to explore the new testing platform, visit www.esdprofessionals.org or contact the credentialing team at credentials@esdprofessional.org.