The Ec.D. is Canada’s nationally recognized certification
Members who have earned the Ec.D. Designation are highly sought after in our field. Increasingly, the Ec.D. is being included as a requirement for career opportunities in our national database. This designation, along with a requirement of re-certification every three years, ensures a uniform and professional basis for all Canadians employed in this field which is supported by industry and governments.
- Discuss your points and eligibility with Penny Gardiner, Ec.D., CEO of EDAC
- This is a required first step.
- Register and pay the certification fee online
- Complete the Certification Package – you can download after payment
- Once complete, send Certification Package along to Penny via email (gardiner@edac.ca)
- Finally, Penny will schedule an exam day, time and assign a proctor
For online exams: On exam day, you will need to login to the online exam site, as well as follow the provided Zoom link to begin
For in-person exams: On exam day, you will need to meet your proctor at the agreed upon date/time/place
Technical / Practical Skill Areas:
- Economic Development Process
- Governance
- Operations
- Communications
- Planning
- Marketing/Sales
- Finance
How to earn the Ec.D.
- Must be an EDAC Member (in good standing)
- Minimum 3 years experience in the field
- Complete Exam with 75% or higher
- 45 points required to write the exam – there are a number of ways to earn them!
Find out more on Ec.D. Certification.
Where could the professional Ec.D. certification take you?
The exam and the job both take commitment, but when you are done and see the results of your hard work it’s worth it. The EDAC Ec.D. Exam is not for the faint of heart! The EDAC Ec.D. certification exam is long, arduous and requires a broad knowledge of economic development. This is exactly as it should be. The work of an economic developer takes tenacity, effort and experience. It’s not an easy job and not everyone is cut out for it. The Ec.D. Exam is a reflection of that.
- Vic Goodman, Ec.D., Chief Executive Officer, Campbell River Economic Development Corp.
I appreciated the practical structure and found it was a good benchmarking opportunity to determine areas of confidence within each competency. It was very encouraging to receive my professional designation through EDAC and I believe it is a testament to the time commitment and value I strive to offer my community. I see this milestone as key to my professional development for the future.
– Ronda Stewart, Ec.D., Manager, Small Business Centre, Elgin Business Resource Centre
Read all your colleagues’ Ec.D. Testimonials.
The Comprehensive Guide to Economic Development assists practitioners in understanding the core competencies and their relationship in the process of economic development. The guide also aides in the preparation of EDAC’s Ec.D. accreditation process.
