NACD Directorship Certification®
Frequently Asked Questions
All the details in one place.
General Questions
What is a professional certification?
A certification is an affirmation that a standard for competence within a profession has been met; in this case, the profession of directorship. Designing a certification program requires conducting an analysis of the critical knowledge, skills, and abilities professionals need to perform their role competently. The results of this analysis guides curriculum, exam development, and test administration.
What does it mean to become NACD Directorship Certified®? Why is it important?
NACD Directorship Certification is more than a credential. It is a commitment to excellence in the boardroom and a declaration to your peers and stakeholders that you are prepared to meet the biggest challenges facing the board today.
Directors must demonstrate that they are keeping on top of the emerging issues and trends impacting financial performance, disrupting business models, and changing the competitive landscape. Certification is an instrument that allows boards to recognize directors who have demonstrated their professional commitment to and growth in navigating complex business issues, providing strategic oversight, and driving organizational performance.
Certification signifies meeting a standard of directorship competence as seen through knowledge, skills, and abilities. It validates your understanding of board responsibilities, governance, best practices, and emerging trends.
Are there other programs like this?
NACD Directorship Certification is the premier directorship certification program in the United States. Director credentialing has become the norm in other countries, most notably in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and, more recently, South Africa and Brazil.
Is there a practice exam?
NACD offers a complimentary (non-proctored) practice exam to help support your NACD Directorship Certification Exam preparation efforts. It is a study tool designed to test your knowledge, identify areas for improvement, and build your confidence before taking the Certification Exam. The practice exam is only accessible to eligible candidates who have completed an Initial Application and Exam Registration. Once the application process is complete, candidates receive an authorization to test, and the practice exam can be taken multiple times at no cost within the Pearson Vue account.
Is the exam available online?
Yes, NACD Directorship Certification can be completed entirely online. From the foundation course to the Certification Exam, you can access the entire program on your schedule—anytime, anywhere.
If I am an NACD Board Leadership Fellow, can I apply for Certification?
NACD encourages members with the Fellowship credential to enter the Certification program. Those with an active Fellowship status have already met the eligibility requirements and can register for and take the exam.
For more information, or to discuss how Certification can support your board work, please contact Credentialing@nacdonline.org.
Can I still become certified if I live in a country other than the United States?
Yes, NACD Directorship Certification is available to members living outside of the United States who meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
Am I eligible to sign up for the Certification program?
Candidates must meet the following minimum criteria to join the program:
- You must currently serve as a director on a public, private, and/or nonprofit organization.
- You must hold an active NACD membership. If you're not a current NACD member, you can join during the application process.
Do I need to be an NACD member to become NACD Directorship Certified?
Yes, NACD membership is required. If you are not yet an NACD member, you may join as part of your Certification application process. If you have questions about membership, please email join@nacdonline.org or visit our membership page.
How do I start the application process?
You can apply online. Find out how to get started.
What if I have already completed the foundation course? How do I begin the application process?
If you completed the course prior to starting your application, you will also receive access to the latest version of Director Professionalism®, introduced in 2026, as part of your certification package. Beginning June 15, 2026, this updated course will be included for all candidates who purchase certification. The course is not required to register for or sit for the exam.
Fees & Payments
How much does the NACD Directorship Certification® cost?
Certification Exam Package: Director Professionalism® Foundation Course & Exam: $3,995
New NACD Membership Bundle: Save 15% when combining an NACD Individual Membership, foundation course, and the Certification Exam:
New NACD Individual Member Bundle: $5,600
What is the recertification fee?
To maintain your Certification, there is a $195 recertification fee every two years. You may pay this fee online once you have met your recertification continuing education requirements, beginning up to six months before your certification expiration date, which falls at the end of your two‑year calendar cycle.
How do I pay?
Recertification fees may be paid online once you have earned the required 32 NACD continuing education credits, beginning up to six months before your certification expiration date at the end of your two‑year calendar cycle.
Exam Overview
Where do I take the test?
The NACD Directorship Certification exam is administered by Pearson VUE, a global leader in computer-based testing. Once you apply for Certification, you will receive instructions on preparing for and scheduling the exam at a testing center or online.
For more information on the exam, visit the program details page.
When can I schedule the exam?
NACD members who meet the eligibility requirements may begin the Certification process by submitting an Initial Application. After the Initial Application is submitted, candidates have a two‑year window to take the exam. Within this timeframe, candidates may take the exam up to three times by submitting a new Exam Registration for each attempt.
Each Exam Registration provides a six‑month exam eligibility window during which the candidate must schedule and take the exam. After completing an Exam Registration, candidates receive:
- Authorization to take the exam within a six‑month eligibility period, and
- Access to Pearson VUE to schedule their exam appointment.
Because testing dates can fill quickly, candidates are encouraged to schedule their exam as soon as Pearson VUE access becomes available.
How is the exam structured?
The exam consists of two parts: multiple-choice questions and case-study problems.
For more details, visit the program detail page or request the NACD Directorship Certification® Handbook.
How long is the exam, and how many questions does it have?
The examination is divided in two parts:
- Part I consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. You will have 60 minutes to complete it.
- Part II consists of 16 case study questions, each with three or four steps. You will have 150 minutes (two and a half hours) to complete it.
For more details, visit the program details or request the NACD Directorship Certification® Handbook.
When do I receive the NACD Directorship Certification® Study Guide?
After completing your Initial Application, you can access the NACD Directorship Certification Study Guide and other preparation resources by logging into your NACD Account under the Certification Center → Resources menu.
What if I need to reschedule or cancel my exam appointment?
You may cancel your exam appointment by logging into your Certification Center through the NACD account or contacting Pearson VUE at [844-914-0561] within the appropriate timeframe:
- Test Center exams: Up to 48 hours before your scheduled exam time
- Online exams: Up to 15 minutes before your scheduled start time
If you cancel within these timeframes, you may reschedule your exam within your active six-month eligibility window.
If you miss or cancel your exam appointment under certain conditions, you will forfeit your exam appointment and must pay the $500 exam rescheduling fee to book a new exam date.
You will forfeit your exam appointment if you:
- Do not show up for your scheduled exam (test center or online).
- Arrive more than 30 minutes late for your appointment.
- Cancel a test center exam less than 48 hours before your appointment, or an online exam less than 15 minutes before the scheduled start time.
You may appeal these charges to NACD in the event of serious circumstances or causes beyond your reasonable control, including, but not limited to, medical emergencies, natural disasters, or similar acts of god.
Recertification
Will I need to renew the NACD Directorship Certification?
Recertification is required every two years. Directors need to earn 32 NACD credits within their 24-month recertification cycle to recertify. A $195 recertification fee will apply.
For more information, visit the NACD Certified Directors page.
What is the recertification fee?
There is a $195 recertification fee every two years. You will be able to pay online once you have met your recertification credit requirements and your current Certification term is expiring.
How do I earn credits toward recertification?
To receive credits toward maintaining your Certification, attend events and director programming education, including the annual NACD Directors Summit, webinars, chapter programming, peer-to-peer roundtables, annual events, and on-demand learning and NACD Education Network™ programs provided by universities across the country.
NACD credits can also be achieved by participating as a subject matter expert (SME) in exam development activities. For more information about recertification, visit the NACD Certified Directors page.
Are programs from other institutions recognized for NACD credits?
NACD has partnered with several leading academic institutions to form the NACD Education Network™. The network lets NACD Directorship Certified directors earn NACD Credits through leading programs at universities across the country.
I have read the FAQs and still have questions. Who should I contact?
We’re here to help. Please contact the NACD Credentialing Team at Credentialing@nacdonline.org with any questions or concerns you may have.