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Professional Certification
Earning your certification is professionalism defined. The letters that follow your name make a powerful statement about the expertise you bring to the table.
A recent survey reported that certified economic development professionals hold salaries an average of 20% higher than those that are not certified.
Certification also proves your willingness to invest in your own development and demonstrates your commitment to your profession.
Canadian economic development professionals have options for becoming certified. Working with EDA and our partners, professionals can obtain the Canadian designation, Ec.D., or the international designation, CEcD, or both.
Re-Certification is a mandatory aspect of certification programs in Canada. Continuing education has been deemed vital for re-certification once every three years. All Certified Economic Developers will have to demonstrate that they have maintained competence through continuing education, which includes attendance at accredited programs.
EDA's CEDTP courses are eligible for points towards the Ec.D.
EDA has developed visual pathways to help you better understand the process of professional certification for each designation:
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Ec.D. certified by Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC) Visual pathway for the Ec.D. designation Certification of an individual is carried out by a Certification Panel responsible for reviewing and judging all applications for certification.
EDAC members are eligible to write the Ec.D. exam to become a Certified Economic Developer once the required 45 points have been accumulated and reviewed/verified by EDAC’s CEO. | CEcD certified by the International Economic Developers Council (IEDC) Visual pathway for CEcD designation
In March 2015, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between IEDC and EDA. The MOU commits both parties to developing and delivering training programs for Canadian economic development professionals wishing to become IEDC Certified Economic Developers (CEcDs). Visit the IEDC Website for certification details. |