The Association recognizes that ESD professionals have a variety of personal and career experiences; a variety of skills, knowledge, and abilities; and with outlooks formed by varying international and cultural contexts. For these reasons the Association does not require any particular course of study or duration of experience to be eligible to apply for the Credentialing Exam. However, the Association recommends that candidates have a clear understanding of ESD principles and practices that are normally gained through formal ESD education and with experience teaching ESD.

Recommended Education and Experience

The Association recommends that candidates have at least 100 hours (or 2 years) of ESD training and teaching experience, combined, prior to taking the exam.

Education: The Association recommends that your ESD education involve the supervision or mentorship by suitable experts in the field, supplemented by additional independent study, private practice, or involvement in adjacent fields, as appropriate. Education may be obtained from any individual, organization, institution, or for- or not-for-profit corporation or business which provides ESD instructor training. Martial arts education is not required, though a thorough understanding of physical techniques and their execution is recommended for candidate success.

Experience: It is recommended that you have spent at least 50 hours teaching ESD (direct engagement with participants). This could include assisting an ESD instructor or as the lead or solo instructor in a class or workshop. Experience may be of any sort and carried out in any capacity. It is recommended that you have some experience in managing groups of at least ten students. Instruction experience can be paid or unpaid.

Regardless of the educational source or experience level, we recommend you thoroughly examine the subject matter covered in the Exam and review the Credential Handbook.

Review the Core Competencies

View the Exam Handbook