CDCP Accreditation
APCDA offers career guidance training organizations the opportunity to enhance the credibility, visibility, and quality of their programs through accreditation. We use the abbreviation CDCP to indicate that each accreditation can apply to a single Career Development Credentialing Program. If your organization offers more than one type of program leading to a credential in our field, each program will need to be accredited separately.
By earning APCDA accreditation, your training program is formally recognized for meeting international standards of excellence in design, delivery, and impact. Accreditation helps you build trust with learners and employers, strengthen your professional reputation, and stand out as a leader in career development across the Asia-Pacific region.
Why Get Accredited?
Accreditation signifies that your program meets rigorous standards.
Gaining recognition from APCDA provides reassurance to the prospective clients/students of the quality standards.
Identify areas for enhancement to provide superior services.
Application Process
Clarify the accreditation process and requirements.
Provide a detailed application outlining the course/program.
Formalize the process with agreements and payment.
Evaluation by APCDA Lead Evaluator and committee to ensure compliance.
Final decision with recognition for successful programs, or guidance for reapplication if required.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for Career Development Credentialing Program (CDCP) Accreditation, a training organization must meet the following requirements:
Legal Status
- The organization must be legally registered and operating within its country of origin.
- It must hold valid licenses or approvals from relevant national or local authorities to deliver training programs.
Operational Tenure
- The organization should have been in continuous operation for at least two years prior to application.
- It must demonstrate a consistent record of program delivery and learner participation.
Training Program Readiness
- The organization must have at least one structured training program ready for accreditation, with defined learning outcomes, curriculum, assessment process, and trainer qualifications.
- Programs under development or in pilot phase are not eligible.
Quality Assurance Mechanisms
- Documented processes for curriculum design, trainer evaluation, learner feedback, and certification should be in place.
- Evidence of continuous improvement and adherence to ethical training practices is required.
Infrastructure and Resources
- The organization must demonstrate access to suitable learning infrastructure—physical or virtual—along with trained faculty and administrative support.
Commitment to Compliance
- The organization must agree to abide by APCDA standards, maintain transparency in documentation, and participate in audits or reviews as required.
- It must commit to using the accreditation mark only for approved programs.
Financial Standing
- The organization should be in good financial health and capable of meeting the applicable accreditation and service fees.
Evaluation Committee
The Evaluation Committee ensures the integrity, transparency, and consistency of the accreditation process.
1. Composition
The Evaluation Committee is constituted by the Accrediting Committee and typically comprises:
- Chairperson: A senior representative appointed by the Chair of the Accreditation Committee.
- Accreditation Experts: Three to four members with proven expertise in training program design, assessment, or quality assurance in that particular field for which the application has been received.
2. Appointment and Tenure
- Committee members are nominated by the Chair of the Accreditation Committee and serve for the duration of the evaluation.
- Members are required to sign a confidentiality and conflict of interest agreement prior to participation in any review process.
- Replacement or addition of members may be made to address availability or conflict of interest situations.
3. Roles and Responsibilities
The Evaluation Committee is responsible for:
- Reviewing documentation submitted by applicant organizations.
- Identifying APCDA Standards that are relevant to the credentialing program.
- Evaluating compliance with these APCDA Standards.
- Conducting virtual or on-site verification (where applicable) in the local language.
- Recommending accreditation decisions—approval, deferral, or rejection—to the Accreditation Committee.
- Providing feedback and recommendations for quality improvement to the applicant.
4. Governance and Integrity
- The committee operates independently and bases its decisions solely on evidence and program quality indicators.
- All deliberations are confidential, and decisions are reached through consensus or majority vote.
- Members maintain impartiality and avoid any bias related to geography, institutional affiliation, or commercial interest.
Application Fee
Application Fee : This is a one-time, non-refundable fee that the local training organization must pay when applying (step 1) for accreditation. It covers the administrative costs of processing the application, initial documentation review, and preliminary eligibility checks.
Review/Assessment Fee : This fee covers the cost of evaluating the credentialing program to ensure it meets APCDA’s Standards. It includes expenses related to expert reviewers, translation (if necessary), document assessment, and other quality assurance measures necessary to determine whether the program aligns with APCDA’s Standards. It also includes suggestions & recommendations for reevaluation. (payment with Submission, Step 4).
Service Fee per Learner : Organizations can choose between a per-learner fee or a fixed annual fee after accreditation is granted. This fee covers ongoing oversight, and administrative support from the staff. The chosen payment structure allows flexibility based on the organization’s enrollment. (Payment according to option detailed in contractual agreement).
Fees by Program Duration and Income Category
| S. No | Fee | High Income | Not-High Income | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short < 6 months | Long ≥ 6 months | Short < 6 months | Long ≥ 6 months | ||
| 1 | Application Fee (paid with EOI) | $200 USD | |||
| 2 | Review/Assessment Fee (paid with application) | $500 USD | $750 USD | $500 USD | $750 USD |
| 3 | Service Fee Per Learner (Option 1) | $20 | $50 | $10 | $25 |
| 4 | Service Fee Fixed per Annum (Option 2) | $1,500 | $3,500 | $750 | $1,750 |
Notes :
- Option 1 is ideal for private training organizations with a limited number of trainees in any given year. The Option 2 would suit universities and large training organizations.
- To check whether you are from a high-income country or not, visit Asian Development Bank Classification