About

About IDC®

Achieve DEI confidence, competence, and credibility with the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®

Accelerating Competency-Based Leadership

In 2009, the Society for Diversity engineered a proven, high-end specialty qualification process through the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®. Today, IDC’s advanced certification system provides employers with concrete skills, as well as subject matter expertise on global business issues relevant to culture, demographics, and the future of work.

 

Our up-to-date educational and research-based programs set the standard for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) effectiveness. Both the Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® and Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® credentials are industry-recognized certifications that indicate elite DEI leadership. IDC relies on industry best practices for its professional qualification exams.


The purpose of the qualification system is to ensure that:


  1. Employers can hire employees and/or consultants with a high degree of certainty that the professional was well-trained and productive;
  2. Executives and supervisors are prepared to lead their enterprises into the next generation through advanced skills, new ideas, accountability, and risk management strategies;
  3. DEI leaders are equipped to deliver positive tangible results through effective Diversity initiatives;
  4. Organizations can avoid costly business risks arising from lawsuits, employee turnover, backlash, and waste; and
  5. Global communities can benefit from increased employment options for marginalized groups, holistic accessibility designs for aging and/or disabled population groups, new tax revenues from diverse suppliers, a wider array of local economic development and investment, and more stakeholder engagement opportunities.


DEI works best when everyone is included and can experience value. It is IDC's goal to empower leaders, employers, and communities to unleash their full potential!

Our Mission

The purpose of the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)® is to empower people to advance their knowledge as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion practitioners. IDC’s mission is to provide fair, valid, and reliable assessments of their knowledge and skill and be innovative leaders in providing groundbreaking certifications in the DEI industry.

Our Vision

IDC seeks to work with partners and organizations around the world to brand the CDP® and CDE® credentials as the industry standard for qualification in effective Diversity and Inclusion work. We aim to ensure that all certified practitioners demonstrate ethical behavior, achievement, excellence, and positive business outcomes.

History of IDC's Certification Programs

IDC’s certification examination was created by a global panel of industry experts representing all aspects of DEI work. Our most recent exam questions were developed from a job task analysis (JTA) panel comprised of DEI subject matter experts (SMEs). Their work was validated with an industry survey and pilot test. As the foundation for any reliable and legally-defensible certification program, the JTA helps identify the core knowledge areas, critical work functions, and/or skills typically found across a representative sampling of current practitioners and/or job incumbent workers. 


Throughout 2021 and 2022, the Institute for Diversity Certification's SMEs worked with psychometric and exam development experts from Ohio State University's Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) to improve the CDP® and CDE® assessment instruments, as well as ensure that IDC's approach complied with industry standards for accreditation.


CETE initiated the engagement with the DACUM process. DACUM (an acronym for developing a curriculum) is an effective method of analyzing jobs and occupations used worldwide for more than 40 years and in over 58 countries. This unique process offers components that successfully support job and occupational analysis for organizations like IDC, including community colleges, companies, government agencies, and professional associations.


Empirical results from IDC's job analysis provides DEI Certification Candidates and the public with a valid, reliable, fair, realistic, and legally defensible assessment that reflects the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to competently do a job that leads, manages, and/or supports effective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion work. Our research-based approach also ensures that DEI leaders achieve expected performance outcomes.



  • 2009-2011

    • IDC develops its first international credentialing program in partnership with global DEI subject matter experts (SMEs), who defined the audience, designation, certification requirements, Code of Ethics, and Standards of Practice.
    • The assessment process was two-fold, consisting of a standardized test (measuring knowledge) and a capstone professional work that is peer reviewed (the Candidate Project, which measures skill). 
    • Exam instruments are developed with the help of Dr. Howard Mzumara, a psychometrician at Indiana University Purdue University of Indianapolis (IUPUI). Dr. Mzumara redirected IDC's exam item writers, as the SMEs initially developed questions and answers that were deemed too easy. The SMEs revised all of the exam items with rigor, and then Dr. Mzumara approved their work on both tests.
    • IDC commissions Performance Assessment Network (PAN, a Talogy company) to develop and proctor the first high-stakes exams, providing IDC with access to over 600 testing centers throughout North America.
    • The first pilot exam participants were from the US, Canada, Denmark, and France.

  • 2013-2014

    • IDC updates the program terminology to reflect Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) versus Diversity alone. 
    • The exams are revised, with 16 distinct competencies for the CDP® and 16 distinct competencies for the CDE®.
    • IDC offers onsite certification prep courses in Indiana and Texas. 
    • IDC receives approval from Indiana for military servicemembers to use GI Bill benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to pay for the certification exam. 
    • IDC launches its first Job Analysis Survey to gather information about D&I work, including the duties, responsibilities, and educational requirements.

  • 2015-2016

    • IDC moves to a smaller advisory council and conducts a job analysis survey to gather information about D&I work. 
    • The U.S. Air Force awards IDC a contract to conduct onsite CDP® exam prep at the Pentagon.
    • IDC becomes a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. 
    • The State of Washington offers CDP® and CDE® credentials to 40 executives and aspiring managers in an onsite DEI certification program. Additionally, IDC offers prep courses at Hodges University (FL), Howard University (DC), and Martin University (IN), as well as at office parks in Chicago (IL) and Los Angeles (CA). 

  • 2017-2020

    • The Society for Diversity Inc. secures its intellectual property to distinguish the rigors of DEI certification from other certificate programs. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) issued trademarks for the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®, Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)®, and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® credentials. The exam and study guide copyrights were also secured for both certifications.
    • The Society presents the Diversity 3.0 and Diversity 4.0 conferences, featuring CDP® and CDE® Designees as expert speakers, panelists, moderators, and hosts.
    • The exams are updated based on the 2016-2017 Job Task Analysis.
    • IDC adjusts its terminology to reflect an industry shift to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). 
    • It transitions to electronic files with the Talent Learning Management System.

  • 2021-2023

    • IDC migrates to CourseNetworking (The CN) learning management system for Candidates and Designees. 
    • IDC begins working with the OSU CETE to update its assessments and testing process. 
    • The 5th edition of the CDP® and CDE® exams are designed based on the 2021-2022 Job Task Analysis and Verification Survey. 
    • CETE used item writing software, with an assessment development expert, to facilitate the SMEs revision of both exams.
    • The Society hosts Diversity 5.0, a hybrid summit focusing on employee resource groups, where CDP® and CDE® Designees facilitated workshop sessions, served as panelists, and networked. 
    • The Society hosts the 2023 Neurodiversity Summit: Wired for Success, a virtual summit exploring next-generation DEIA practices that advance neurodivergent experiences, interventions, and achievements.
    • The Society and IDC adopt Accessibility as a cornerstone for our work, moving from DEI to DEIA.

    Today, IDC has thousands of Candidates and Designees in 50 US states and 30+ other nations. Certification prep courses are offered in North and South America, as well as in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, plus Asia Pacific (EMEA+APAC).

Supporting Global DEI Education & Leadership Development

Diversity operates differently in various nations; likewise Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility impacts organizational cultures in a unique way, depending on where you live and/or work. IDC is dedicated to providing high-quality certification programs that meet the needs of DEIA professionals around the world. The EMEA+APAC programs allow IDC to apply knowledge and experience in a manner that is global in scope. Indeed, IDC's history of innovation and continuous improvement ensures that its certification programs remain relevant, up-to-date, and specific to your region of operation.


The Society holds trademarks for the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®, Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)®, and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® credentials. It also owns several state and international trademarks, which allows us to partner with global affiliates and preferred providers under the IDC umbrella. All of our partners have been thoroughly vetted to ensure commitment, collaboration, and high performance in the field of DEIA. 


Through the professional association, certification, and continuing education, The Society for Diversity and IDC help global Equity and Inclusion champions achieve measurable progress in their careers and their organizations. We succeed when our candidates and designees are productive, strategic, and impactful. Together, our collective outcomes tell an amazing story about the power of change.

ICE Membership

IDC maintains an active membership with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). Throughout the year, IDC's team participates in workshops and conferences to learn certification industry best practices and up-to-date credentialing techniques.


Accreditation

IDC® is currently seeking accreditation from the NCCA. Additionally, the NCCA partners with the International Accreditation Service (IAS) to offer globally recognized credentials. IDC's intent is to achieve dual accreditation for designees who live and/or work abroad.


While accreditation is a lengthy and thorough process, it is also retroactive. Current designees will experience the benefits of obtaining a CDP® or CDE® credential from an accredited program.

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