FAQ

The OWL interface for taking the Association Credentialing Exam is straightforward and user friendly. The Association will send you registration information with plenty of advance notice, so you’ll have time to set up your account and test your equipment well in advance of your scheduled exam time.

The Association Credentialing Exam is split into five modules, as outlined in the Core Competencies page. Each module includes a variety of multiple-choice questions, followed by several open-ended questions.

The multiple-choice questions are complex, but they’re not trick questions! Many have more than one apparent “right answer,” which is an invitation to stop and think through what is being tested in the context of the core competencies for that module. There will be one best (not the only) choice.

The open-ended questions allow you to dive deep and dig into the complexities of context and culture, the things which multiple choice does not allow. This is a place to demonstrate your depth of knowledge and experience; however, you don’t need to write a book for each question. A paragraph or two is what we are looking for. Focus on communicating your points clearly and concisely, without worrying about sentence structure or grammar (grading is strictly based on content). Bullet points are perfectly acceptable.

The exam is expected to take approximately three hours, but that time can vary greatly depending on you. Please reach out to us if you need accommodations for test anxiety, hearing or sight impairments, or any other reason. We want you to succeed!

See the Exam Handbook for more detailed information about every aspect of the Credentialing Exam and read our blog for tips and encouragement for a stress-free exam experience. Good luck!

You may take the exam on any day, at any time within the exam period. This way, no matter your time zone, you can choose a convenient time to take the exam. If you would like to request any special accommodations for taking the exam, follow the link for doing so on your application.

The Association strongly recommends, but does not require, that candidates apply when they have completed 100 hours of ESD experience and education, combined (at least 50 hours of experience and no more than 25 hours of physical-only self-defense skills training going toward the 100 hours).

The Association recognizes that many ESD practitioners may have taught themselves, learned from fellow professionals outside of formal certificate programs, or are the trailblazers who created and developed empowerment self-defense. Therefore, we do not have a blanket recommendation with regard to ESD education. However, for those who are newer to ESD, we do recommend some formal training with ESD instructors or organizations, especially those with instructor training programs.

The exam is pass/fail. You must pass each module to pass the entire exam. If you fail a module, you can retake it!

The exam will be graded in two ways:

1) the multiple choice questions will be graded by the software, and

2) other questions such as short-answer and essay questions, will be graded by members of an advisory council called the Credential Pool. An answer key will be provided to the Credential Pool.

We are on your team! We want you to succeed—in the Credentialing Program, in your ESD career, in life. And so, you may always re-take the exam if you do not pass, and only the module or modules that gave you trouble. There is no limit to how many times you can retake the exam, but we don't expect this to be relevant too often.

Like we said, we're rooting for you. We have designed this program to honor the work you are already doing and the knowledge you already share with your communities.

No one. No one is watching you as you take your exam. It is an AI exam proctoring system, so it does not matter if you washed your hair that morning!

Integrity is a core value for the IAESDP, as it is for the entire ESD community. We have extensively researched exam-taking protocol to find the right software to proctor our virtual exam. Sheila will review any concerning activity flagged by the software. If any unethical behavior is identified, it will be turned over to a Review Panel.

Feel free to reach out if you have any other questions about how the exam will be administered and proctored.

Yes, but the only person who has access to that recording is the Exam Administrator. When you see “warning messages” on your screen (ie. “You just looked away.” “We do not recognize your face.”), those moments of the recordings get tagged, and Exam Administrator can check a freeze frame of that moment if she thinks it might be suspicious activity.

Our Team Lead for Program Development, is the only person who has access to these photos. She will only check them if there is some sort of suspicious activity, or if she suspects that the person who has applied for the exam is not the person who is actually taking the exam.

Accessibility is a high priority for the Association. We will gladly make accommodations for exam takers who suffer from test anxiety, speak English as a second language, or need accommodations for sight or hearing impairments or for any other reason.

You may indicate on your Exam Application that you need an accommodation. If we don't already have a procedure in place, we will do our best to work with you to find a solution.