NACD Directorship Certification^®

About the Credential

The most critical information for applicants.

What You Need to Know About the Program

The NACD Directorship Certification^® (NACD.DC^®) is the nation’s leading credential for board directors. This program blends preparation tools, an exam, and ongoing recertification to set a recognized standard for boardroom excellence.

On This Page, You’ll Quickly Learn:

What NACD Directorship Certification^® is and why it matters
Who’s eligible and the pathways to enrollment
Program structure, including coursework, exam format, and preparation tools
Details on competencies
Continuing education and recertification requirements
Professional recognition and career benefits

More Than a Certificate, It’s a Mark of Boardroom Excellence

Over 93% of Certified Directors Describe NACD Director Certifcation as a Rigorous Program^*.

Ready to get started? Speak to a member of the Credentialing team or log in to apply.

*NACD 2025 Certified Directors Survey

What Is the NACD Directorship Certification?

The NACD Directorship Certification (NACD.DC^®) is the premier U.S. credential for board directors, signaling knowledge in corporate governance, fiduciary duties, strategy, risk, and emerging oversight issues. It combines a rigorous exam with continuous education to uphold the highest standards of boardroom leadership.

How NACD.DC^® Stands Apart

By directors, for directors: Developed and maintained by the active governance community
Credential, not certificate: A nationally recognized post-nominal (NACD.DC^®) earned through rigor and maintained through continuing education
Confidence you can show: Signal of your governance knowledge that carries weight with boards, nominating committees, and stakeholders
Credibility and community: Developed by NACD, the leader in director learning for nearly 50 years, connecting you to a trusted network of peers and shared boardroom expertise

The majority of Certified Directors say that becoming certified has enhanced their credibility as a director or improved their effectiveness.

Source: NACD 2025 Certified Directors Survey

Eligibility

You’re eligible if you are:

Current director: A director for a private, public, and/or nonprofit organization
NACD Member: An active NACD member or planning to join during your application process

Experienced Directors Expedited Path

Bypass the foundation course and go straight to the exam if you are an NACD member who meets one of the following criteria

Directors who have previously taken one of the following courses:
- NACD Director Professionalism^® (formally Virtual Director Professionalism) after January 2017, in-person or online*
- From Battlefield to Boardroom
Directors with three or more years experience on a public, private, or nonprofit board.

*If you completed NACD Director Professionalism prior to January 2017, we recommend the Certification Bundle, which includes the most current Director Professionalism course.

Aspiring Directors

C-suite or senior leaders can enroll in NACD Accelerate^™ as a board-readiness option.

Program Format

Preparation & Learning

Director Professionalism (formally Virtual Director Professionalism): A foundational governance course built on real-world oversight
Certification Study Guide: An in-depth resource covering core governance competencies
Practice exam: A non-proctored exam that builds readiness and mirrors the format and question style of the actual test
Peer discussion groups: Small-group sessions led by certified directors offering insight into case study preparation

Exam Details

Hosted by Pearson VUE, available both online via OnVUE and in test centers
50 multiple choice questions (60 minutes)
16 Case Studies (150 minutes)
Total time is approximately 4 hours
3 Attempts Permitted: A 30-day wait is required before retesting, and a $250 retake fee for the each retest is required. After three unsuccessful tries, reapplication is allowed after one year

Resources for Applicants

Get the Guides That Put You in Control

Certification Candidate Handbook: A full overview of requirements, exam structure, and recertification expectations
Study Guide Executive Summary: A preview of the practical prep resources—so you know what’s ahead
Exam Syllabus: Explore a detailed breakdown of the exam and key topics covered within each domain
Exam Resources: Get quick links to additional member-only articles, courses, and insights that complement the study guide
Information Sessions: Periodic webinars to learn more about the program

The Candidate Handbook

Request this comprehensive guide today. Its everything you need to know about program policies and procedures and more.

Request The Handbook

Areas of Competency

Here’s a sample of what you’ll master:

The Role of the Board

Fiduciary duties
Corporate governance requirements
Board processes and culture
Shareholder engagement

The Board’s Standing Committees

Audit committee
Compensation committee
Nominating and governance committee

The Board’s Duty to Select the CEO

CEO succession planning
CEO evaluation
Executive compensation

Traditional Areas of Board Oversight

Oversight of risk
Strategy
Financial performance
Mergers and acquisitions
Ethics and compliance
Talent
Crises

Emerging Areas of Board Oversight

Oversight of culture
Cyber-risk oversight
Environmental, social, and governance issues

Recertification & Continuing Education

Recertification is required every 24 months

You must earn 32 NACD Credits within the two-year cycle. Earn Credits through:
- Attending NACD events (webinars, in-person events, live online courses)
- Attending courses offered through the NACD Education Network™, including some of the most prestigious American universities.
Volunteering for exam development as a subject matter expert
Recertification costs $195.

Recognition & Professional Value

Certified directors earn the NACD.DC^® post-nominal designation.
Receive a Digital badge via Credly for use on LinkedIn, in email signatures, and in digital bios.
Certificate holders are spotlighted on Equilar BoardEdge, a key executive recruitment platform.
NACD has crafted this credential to signal governance excellence, valued among peers.

The NACD Directorship Certification Study Guide

The essential resource for preparation, covering core competencies of the exam. Get an applicant Executive Summary.

Request The Summary

Three Steps to Certification

1.
Get Details & Apply

See About the program

NACD membership is required*
Meet experience criteria
Submit an application

2.
Prepare & Certify

See Current Candidates

Participate in the foundation course + discussion groups
Demonstrate mastery of core competencies
Complete a comprehensive assessment

3.
Lead with Confidence

See Certified Directors

Broadcast your NACD.DC credential
Join the community
Maintain your certification through continuing education

*Nonmembers: Current directors can join NACD + Certification at a special rate.

Visual separator between content sections

)

NACD Directorship Certification Quick FAQ

Candidates who meet the following criteria can apply to the program:
- Current Director
  
  You’re currently a director for a private, public, and/or nonprofit organization.
- NACD Member
  
  You are an active NACD member, or you can join NACD as part of the application process.
Yes, the program includes these valuable preparation resources:
- NACD Directorship Certification^® Study Guide
  The definitive source on all governance competencies required for completion of the program. Applicants can receive an executive summary.
- Sample Questions
  
  A preview of format and style.
- Practice Exam
  
  A non-proctored, real-world example to experience what the test will cover and help you prepare for the assessment.
- Director Professionalism^® (recommended)
  
  The comprehensive online foundation course for core subject matter (formally Virtual Director Professionalism).
- Webinars and Study Groups
  
  Connect with your candidate peers, and attend online case study workshops.
- NACD Directorship Certification^® Handbook
  
  A full overview of requirements, exam structure, and recertification expectations. Also available to applicants.
- Additional Resources
  
  Membership Advisors ready to answer your questions and walk you through the process.
NACD’s certification program is designed to assess directors on today’s standards and core subject matter. Visit the Program Details page to see all the subtopics.

Below are the major areas of competency covered on the exam:
- The role of the board
- The board’s standing committees
- The board’s duty to select the CEO
- Traditional areas of board oversight
- Emerging areas of board oversight
NACD members who meet any of the following criteria are eligible to bypass the foundation course and go straight to the exam.

Directors who have previously taken one of the following courses:
- NACD Director Professionalism^® (formally Virtual Director Professionalism) after January 2017, in-person or online
- From Battlefield to Boardroom
Or

Directors with three or more years experience on a public, private, or nonprofit board.

If you completed NACD Director Professionalism prior to January 2017, we recommend taking the standard certification program, which includes the most current Virtual Director Professionalism course.
NACD Directorship Certification is an investment according to your membership and bundle selection.

Certification Bundle

NACD Individual Members: $4,900
NACD Corporate Members: $3,750

Certification Exam Only

Available only to experienced directors who can demonstrate their preparedness.
NACD Individual Members: $3,000
NACD Corporate Members: $1,500

Nonember Bundle

Receive a 15% discount for a new NACD Individual Membership + Director Professionalism^® (formally Virtual Director Professionalism) + the Certification exam. Select an individual membership + Certification option during your application.

New NACD Individual Membership Bundle: $5,400

Refund Policy: Once certification fees are satisfied, they are nonrefundable and nontransferable.

Overview > Details > Apply > Full Program FAQ > Current Candidates > Certified Directors >

Recertification Courses > Exam Preparation >