Due Diligence Certification Programs

Overview

Due Diligence Certifications are exclusively issued by the Association of Due Diligence Professionals, the non-profit membership association serving the due diligence discipline and industry.

The due diligence profession is challenging, changing, and competitive. Historically in due diligence, decision makers and specialists responded to a wide variety of complex issues by applying their own knowledge and skills without any due diligence standards, formal due diligence training or education, or formal due diligence certification or credentials. This resulted in a rather mediocre overall track record and decidedly lackluster success, most strikingly evidenced in the M&A sector where two-thirds of all acquisitions since the mid-20th century failed completely, or failed to deliver as expected.

In the modern world, the profession is also modernizing, and is now a formal professional discipline. As a due diligence practitioner, you must also change with the times, using the discipline of due diligence in practical application of your skills to become more valuable to your organization or to your clients.

Certification of professional due diligence capabilities is granted by:

1. Successfully completing assessment of professional capabilities, relevant experience and training,
2. Successfully completing courses and examinations to demonstrate due diligence knowledge, performance, proficiency and comprehension, and
3. Committing to high standards of due diligence ethics and practices.

Certification eligibility is completely impartial and nondiscriminatory.

All Examination scores are kept confidential.

The objectives of all Due Diligence Certifications include:

• building credibility of the direct benefits achieved through due diligence,
• increasing the success of their employers’ organizations or their client organizations by the application of due diligence, and
• by increasing the knowledge of due diligence among their team members, their management, and their employers or their clients.

The Steps to Become Certified

There are two paths to Due Diligence Certification:

• Enroll in the appropriate 6-24 month Due Diligence Certification Course, take the written and verbal portions of the appropriate Examination, and achieve Passing scores
• Enroll in the appropriate Due Diligence Certification “grandfather” program and qualify for Certification based on your experience, education and training, and professional accomplishments

1. Join the Association at the Member level or above.

2. Order the appropriate Due Diligence Certification, either as a student for the appropriate Course and Examination, or for the appropriate grandfather program.

3. You will receive your formal credentials form. Complete your credentials form, documenting your professional information, experience, training and education, professional work, background information, and contact information. Mail and email your signed credentials form, with all required supporting documents (your commitment to maintain high standards and ethical practices, reference/testimonial letters, education certificates, etc.) Faxes cannot be accepted.

4. a. For grandfather programs, upon verification completion you will receive your Due Diligence Certification.

4. b. For course students you will receive the written section of the Examination. Once you complete the written section of the Examination, you will be scheduled for the interview section of the Examination. Courses and Examinations may be completed within a 6-24 month period after ordering. Upon successful completion of the Examination and verification you will receive your Due Diligence Certification.

Staying Certified

All first-time Due Diligence Certification recipients will remain certified for 2 years. To maintain their certification during this period, certificate holders must:

1. Adhere to the Association’s Code of Professional Conduct, and

2. Maintain Membership in good standing in the Association.

To maintain their certification after 2 years, certificate holders must also meet Continuing Education requirements.

Holders of expired certificates may apply for re-certification.

Coverage Areas in the Due Diligence Certification Programs