Get Certified

SDP CERTIFICATION APPLICATION PROCESS

Certification through the Society of Decision Professionals is a member benefit — not an added cost. After joining SDP, members can apply for certification at one of four levels: Associate, Practitioner, Lead Practitioner, or Fellow. Each level reflects a rigorous, standardized evaluation of competency and experience, and — beyond the Associate level — of industry involvement, published work, and peer recommendations. It's a credential that means something, because we make sure it does.

No certification fee — included with membership

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Certification Levels

Each level has its own criteria, from foundational competency at the Associate level to demonstrated industry leadership at the Fellow level. Explore what's required for each below.

Process and Facilitative Leadership
Dimensions :

Effectiveness of application of decision support
Complexity of the problem
Planning for implementation of the decision

Decision Analysis and Modelling
Dimensions:

Application of structured analysis
Understanding of decision analysis, including how the theory fits with the theoretical foundations of other relevant subjects / disciplines e.g. finance, engineering.
Deriving and interpreting insights from the analysis
Quality assurance

Creativity and Problem Solving
Dimensions :

Creativity in approaching problems
Pro-activity in problem solving

Information Gathering & Value Assessment
Dimensions :

Integrity of information knowledge
Clarity of values, tradeoffs, and value metrics

Education and Training
Dimensions :

Training and mentoring of others
Own expertise and experience

Project Management
Dimensions :

Understanding of project management concepts
Application of project management concepts

Education, Experience and Election Process

Download the Associate certification level application HERE

The Associate certification can be achieved, pending election by the SDP Certification Council, by at least one of the following:

Attendance at an in-house training programme on Decision Making/Decision Analysis
Completion of at least one Decision Making / Decision Analysis course in an undergraduate course
Completion of at least one Decision Making / Decision Analysis course in a post graduate programme
Completion of third-party training course(s) in Decision Analysis and / or Decision Quality and / or equivalent

All training options need to be equivalent to 16 hours or more of training and cover a curriculum to match the elements identified in the criteria.

In lieu of the training options, the applicant can demonstrate the skills gained on-the-job through practical experience (matching the criteria).

The recommenders will attest to the fact that the applicant fits the "Associate” description.

Download the Practitioner certification level application HERE

Practitioners must be elected by 2 Lead Practitioners (or Fellows) in good standing and a customer
Practitioners must submit the three references to the Society
The recommenders will attest to the fact that the applicant fits the "Practitioner” description.

Download the Lead Practitioner certification level application HERE

Lead Practitioners must be elected by 1 Fellow and 2 Lead Practitioners (or Fellows) in good standing
Lead Practitioners must submit the three references to the Society
The recommenders will attest to the fact that the applicant fits the "Lead Practitioner” description.

Download the Fellow certification level application HERE

Fellows must submit a letter to the Society demonstrating their qualifications
Fellows must be elected by three other fellows in good standing
The recommenders will attest to the fact that the applicant fits the "Fellow” description.

SDP Certification Career Ladder

There are four levels within SDP’s certification career ladder. To learn more about the criteria and requirements for each level, click LEARN MORE on the corresponding image below.

Learn More

Step 1 — Join SDP. Become a member, if you're not already.
Step 2 — Download and complete the application. Select the certification level you're applying for from the list above. Not sure which level fits? If you've reviewed the requirements and are still unsure, email us at info@decisionprofessionals.com and we'll set up time to meet with you.
Step 3 — Submit your application to info@decisionprofessionals.com. Once your membership is verified, we'll send you a confirmation and forward your request to the Certification Council.
Step 4 — Application review. The Certification Council reviews your application along with your reference statements.

Review Timeline & References

The review process is run by SDP volunteers, so it takes time — most often because reference statements are still coming in. References matter: they're what keeps certification credible, and valuable, to employers, clients, and certified professionals alike. Don't know enough SDP members to ask for references? We'll work with you. In some cases, a small committee reviews examples of your work directly, with committee members serving as your references.

Eligibility & Maintaining Certification

You don't need to be certified to be an SDP member, but you do need to be an active, paid member to apply for certification — and to keep it current. There's no separate certification fee; it's included with membership.

Ready to Apply, or Not Sure Which Level Fits?

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