NACD Directorship Certification®
Certified Directors
Broadcast your achievement & maintain your credential.
Your Recognition, Magnified
You’ve earned it. NACD.DC® isn’t just a celebration of your past achievements—it’s a standing validation of your governance expertise into the future. This page gives you everything you need to leverage your certification, maintain your status, and make it visible in the places that matter.
What You’ll Find on This Page:
- How to use your NACD.DC® post‑nominal title, digital badge, and Equilar profile to amplify your status
- How to keep your credential active, including ongoing requirements such as recertification, credits, and membership
- How to access your Certification records, including your transcript, certificate, and badge via Certification Status Page
- Why the credential continues to matter today and for the future challenges of governance
Need Support? We’re Here.
If you have questions about displaying your credential, recertification, or anything related to your certified status, contact the NACD Credentialing Team for help. We’ll guide you through every requirement and ensure your credential keeps working for you.
Display Your Achievement
Add “NACD.DC®” to your LinkedIn headline and professional bios. It signals to boards, recruiters, and peers that you meet a high governance standard.
NACD.DC®: How to Use Your Designation
You’ve earned it. NACD Directorship Certification® is more than a milestone—it’s an official recognition of your governance expertise. Once you’ve passed the exam and keep your Certification current, you can proudly add NACD.DC® after your name. Use it on LinkedIn, in your bio, or anywhere you want your achievement to stand out.
Digital Badge and Certificate
Through Credly, you’ll receive a digital badge—a quick, verifiable way to showcase your credential. Add it to your LinkedIn profile, email signature, or other platforms where recognition matters.
You’ll also get a digital certificate, making it simple to share your credential across social media and professional networks. Both the badge and certificate provide instant proof of your accomplishment.
Your Equilar BoardEdge Profile
Certified directors are featured in Equilar BoardEdge, the platform trusted by hundreds of companies for executive intelligence and board recruitment. Once you pass your exam, Equilar will email you instructions to set up your profile. It’s one more way your credential works for you.
Update Your Professional Bio
Don’t forget to update your biography, proxy statements, and regulatory filings with your NACD.DC® designation. It signals to investors, stakeholders, and peers that you are committed to strong governance and continuous readiness.
Maintain Your Credential
Recertify every 2 years and stay future ready on emerging standards.
Keeping your NACD.DC® credential active is straightforward. Recertification ensures that your knowledge stays current, your skills remain sharp, and your commitment to governance is visible. Here’s what’s required:
Earn 32 Credits
Your 24-month cycle begins the day after you pass the exam. Credits can be earned through NACD events, webinars or approved Education Network™ programs or by volunteering as a subject matter expert (SME) for exam development.
Tip: If you complete a program through the Education Network, email your Certificate of Completion to credentialing@nacdonline.org. Credits will appear on your transcript within 10 business days.
Hundreds of in-person and virtual events make it easy to earn credits and keep your credential and learning up to date.
Keep Your Membership Active
An active NACD membership is required to maintain certification.
Pay The Recertification Fee
- A $195 recertification fee is due every two years, once you’ve met your credit requirements. Payment is made online through your Certification Portal.
- You’ll receive email reminders to help you track your credits and stay on schedule. NACD makes earning credits straightforward, helping to ensure your credential reflects the latest governance standards.
Log in to your Certified Directors Portal to review your transcript, track credits, and pay your recertification fee.
Why Maintaining Your Credential Matters
Your NACD.DC® credential is more than a milestone—it’s a living commitment to the highest standards of board leadership. By keeping your certification active, you:
- Demonstrate future readiness: Boards face constant disruption, from AI and cybersecurity to evolving regulations. Staying certified signals that you’re prepared to navigate what’s next.
- Show commitment to lifelong learning: Recertification shows that you are continuously investing in your governance expertise, not resting on past achievements.
- Reinforce your market credibility: Investors, peers, and stakeholders recognize NACD.DC® as a trusted signal of competence and accountability. Renewing ensures that signal remains strong.
Maintaining your credential keeps you at the forefront of governance excellence today and in the years ahead.
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