Exceptions Application Process


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If you do not meet the grandfather criteria for the Certificate of Director Education but still believe that you have the requisite corporate board experience to bypass the entry curriculum -- Director Professionalism -- you may submit a complete Exceptions Application to NACD. Acceptance is not guaranteed, and applications are subject to the approval of the Institute's internal Review Board. In some cases, they may be reviewed by the Institute's Independent Advisory Board.

Applications will only be reviewed if candidates can demonstrate the following required education criterion plus one (1) of two (2) criteria regarding "Governance Experience":

EDUCATION CRITERION

You have completed (or been a faculty member for) at least 16 hours of intensive corporate governance education from the Institute's approved menu of continuing education programs since January 2003.

The approved menu includes programs conducted by leading academic institutions and by the National Association of Corporate Directors. NOTE: NACD Chapter programs may not be applied as grandfather application credits, but do provide credit toward maintaining the certificate annually.

PLUS

Governance Experience Criteria:

Please Choose One:

1. You are a current or retired corporate director who has served on the statutory (not advisory) board of at least one of the following:

a public company (less than three consecutive years of experience. If you three or more years of experience, you qualify to Grandfather. See Grandfather Criteria).

or a private company

or

2. You have long-term and significant experience as a governance advisor/educator inside public company boardrooms, are currently active in that practice, would otherwise be qualified for a board seat, but are prohibited from serving on a board due to your professional affiliation.

Must demonstrate significant experience in the boardroom (in hours) and knowledge of the curriculum material in the Director Professionalism Course.

If you meet these minimum criteria, the Institute will review your Exceptions Application and provide a response within four weeks.

Download and Print Exceptions Application

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