Institute for Diversity Certification, (IDC), Inc.

What Institute for Diversity Certification, (IDC), Inc. does

Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC), Inc. is a privately held professional credentialing organization founded in 2009 and headquartered in Avon, Indiana. It develops and administers the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® credentials, which are positioned as globally recognized gold-standard qualifications for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioners across all 50 U.S. states and more than 30 countries. Supporting programs include region-specific exam preparation tracks for the Americas and EMEA+APAC, instructor-led refresher courses, the AMBP-L™ certification for technology and AI bias mitigation, a Train-the-Trainer Learning Lab, and an ERG Evolution program. The organization also operates a tiered membership program (Professional, Retiree, Student, Group, Corporate, and Enterprise) with associated webinars, Community of Practice groups, and continuing education.

IDC operates a credentialing-and-education model rather than a technology-product model. Its technical stack is assembled from third-party platforms: CourseNetworking (The CN) — co-developed with Indiana University — functions as the official learning management system, social learning environment, badging platform, and ePortfolio tool; Talogy provides secure online proctored exam administration across 600+ testing centers worldwide; and RegFox handles registration and payment processing. Curriculum is built on a proprietary Job Task Analysis-informed framework covering 9 knowledge domains each for CDP and CDE, with peer-reviewed Candidate Projects, a 73%/74% passing standard, and a 60-CEU-every-three-years recertification requirement.

Revenue is generated from one-time certification fees (ranging $617 for an exam-only sitting to $2,131 for a CDE online prep course with digital study guide), annual membership subscriptions ($173 for retiree membership up to $50,000+ for enterprise), refresher courses ($99-$716), recurring recertification fees ($50 every three years or $250 for expired credentials), physical study guide sales ($299-$833), and Preferred Recertification Provider licensing ($2,575 annually). Go-to-market combines direct-to-consumer online registration, enterprise sales for groups of 10 or more with onsite proctoring, channel partners (Gatson Group, Nikeya Diversity Consulting, State of Washington, The Diversity Movement) that deliver IDC-approved exam preparation, and event-driven demand generation through webinars, conferences, and community engagement. Customer outcomes cited by IDC include 55% of designees receiving a promotion or new position, 50% receiving a raise or bonus, 46% leading a new DEI initiative, and over two-thirds reporting increased workplace support following certification.

Name

Institute for Diversity Certification, (IDC), Inc.

Legal name

Institute for Diversity Certification, Inc.

Website

https://diversitycertification.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC), Inc. is a privately held credentialing organization offering the CDP® and CDE® professional certifications, along with memberships and training, for DEI practitioners and organizations across the U.S. and 30+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Certification Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Legal, Governance, Privacy & Audit Certifications (EDAAANAN)

akta.pro secondary industry

Continuing Education (CE/CPD) & Provider Accreditation Bodies (EDADACAF)

Keywords

• DEI certification programs
• Professional diversity training
• Corporate inclusion education
• Executive leadership credentials
• Continuing education providers

Headquarters

HQ city

Avon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations

Revenue model

1. Certification Fees: One-time fees for CDP and CDE certification exams and preparation courses. Includes exam-only, self-study, and online/virtual academy prep options. Group and enterprise discounts available for organizations registering 3+ candidates.
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership programs providing access to webinars, Community of Practice groups, DEI resources, and discounts on certification. Tiers include Professional ($295), Retiree ($173), Group ($2,500), Corporate ($12,500), and Enterprise ($50,000+).
3. Refresher Courses: 4-hour instructor-led refresher courses for CDP and CDE designees. Options include refresher-only ($99), refresher + exam ($716), refresher + recertification ($149), and refresher + expired recertification ($349).
4. Recertification Fees: Designees pay $50 every 3 years to maintain credentials, or $250 for expired credentials over 1 year lapsed. Must complete 60 CEUs per 3-year cycle.
5. Hard Copy Study Guides: Physical study guides available for purchase: $299-$399 for candidates/designees, $599-$833 for non-members.
6. Preferred Recertification Provider Licensing: Third-party organizations can become preferred recertification providers using their own curriculum for $2,575 annually, gaining access to IDC's LMS to promote offerings to candidates and designees.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

IDC develops and administers the globally recognized Certified Diversity Professional (CDP®) and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®) credentials, along with the AMBP-L™ technology bias certification, exam preparation courses, refresher courses, and an annual professional membership society. Its offerings equip individual practitioners and senior leaders with evidence-based DEI competencies validated through secure proctored exams, peer-reviewed candidate projects, and 60 CEUs every three years.

Product overview

Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)® offers a portfolio of professional certification and training programs centered on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The core offerings are two credentialing programs: the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® for foundational DEI practitioners, and the Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® for senior DEI leaders and executives. Supporting these are AMBP-L™ Certification for technology bias mitigation, exam preparation courses (3-Day/4-Day Virtual Academy and 8-Week Online Course) in both Americas and EMEA+APAC regions, and Refresher Courses for pilot participants and recertification. IDC also provides an annual Membership program with webinars, Community of Practice groups, and networking, available across Professional, Retiree, Student, Group, Corporate, and Enterprise tiers. Group training programs including Train-the-Trainer Lab and ERG Evolution support organizational-wide DEI development. The certification ecosystem integrates with CourseNetworking (LMS), Talogy (testing), and RegFox (registration).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Diversity Professional (CDP®) Foundational professional qualification for individuals new to DEI or seeking basic understanding of Diversity and Inclusion principles and practices. Covers day-to-day workplace DEI including business case development, strategic planning, recruiting, measurement, and training. Requires 2+ years of DEI experience.
• Certified Diversity Executive (CDE®) Advanced certification for executives and DEI leaders responsible for setting organizational vision and strategy. Designed for senior executives managing large-scale strategic efforts to remove systemic barriers and align enterprise-wide strategies. Requires 5+ years of experience and current leadership role.
• CDP® Refresher Course 4-hour live instructor-led leadership development course for designees and pilot participants to review DEI best practices and prepare for compliance.
• CDE® Refresher Course 4-hour executive management refresher course to reinforce proven DEI methods and build upon existing practices for credentialed executives.
• CDP® Exam Preparation - Americas Region-specific CDP exam preparation covering DEI challenges in the US, Canada, and Latin America, with 3-Day Virtual Academy and 8-Week Online Course options.
• CDP® Exam Preparation - EMEA + APAC Global CDP exam preparation covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific regions with regional case studies and 4-Day Virtual Academy and 8-Week Online Course formats.
• CDE® Exam Preparation - Americas Region-specific CDE exam preparation for the Americas covering legal landscape, cultural nuances, comprehensive DEI strategy development, and best practices.
• CDE® Exam Preparation - EMEA + APAC CDE exam preparation for EMEA and APAC regions addressing cultural landscapes, religious traditions, and socio-economic disparities with international executive best practices.
• IDC® Membership Society Annual professional membership society providing networking, expert-led webinars, four Community of Practice groups, and continuing education for DEI professionals. Tiers include Professional ($295), Retiree ($173), Group ($2,500), Corporate ($12,500), and Enterprise ($50,000+).
• Train-the-Trainer Lab Immersive DEI Learning Lab preparing professionals to lead engaging, relevant diversity workshops with expert facilitators.
• ERG Evolution Program Program improving ERG/BRG leader and executive sponsor collaboration to enhance the effectiveness of employee resource groups.
• Group Programs Customized group DEI training programs for organizations seeking team-wide certification and development.
• Certification Partner Program Licensing program allowing partners to educate, certify, and supply CEUs to CDP and CDE candidates, including full licensing, hybrid licensing, and Preferred Recertification Provider options.
• AMBP-L™ Certification Advanced certification teaching professionals to identify and mitigate bias in advanced technologies including AI usability and design, bridging organizational value, future of technology, and transparency.

Quantifiable outcome

• 55% of CDP and CDE Designees reported receiving a promotion or new position after certification
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• CourseNetworking LLCcoreTechnology or IntegrationCourseNetworking (The CN) is IDC's official learning management system partner, providing the platform for social learning, educational resources, badging, exam access, score reports, ePortfolio building, and candidate/designee networking. Developed jointly with Indiana University. IDC candidates and designees receive access to the CN throughout their certification and recertification cycles.
• TalogycoreTechnology or IntegrationTalogy is IDC's testing platform partner providing secure, online testing and proctoring services. Talogy administers CDP and CDE exams at 600+ testing centers worldwide. IDC uses Talogy for exam scheduling, accommodations management (including ADA compliance), and performance reporting.
• The Gatson GroupmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensing partner offering IDC-approved CDP and CDE exam preparation courses. Uses IDC's learning management system and collaborates on exam prep materials. Markets to and develops their own audience while IDC promotes class dates on its website and social media.
• Nikeya Diversity ConsultingmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLicensing partner offering IDC-approved CDP and CDE exam preparation courses. Operates as independent DEI consultancy delivering IDC curriculum to their client base.
• State of WashingtonmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGovernment licensing partner providing IDC certification training and recertification resources for state employees. Serves as a recertification resource for state workforce diversity initiatives.
• The Diversity MovementmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner-led CDE certification courses. Provides IDC-approved CDE exam preparation to their audience using IDC's curriculum and exam standards.
• Humans Lead The Way AI (HLTWai)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership for AI education in DEI. IDC partners with HLTWai to develop skills in Artificial Intelligence, governance, and automation bias. Includes accessibility courses and the 2027 AI Inclusion and Ethics Conference.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• DiversityInc: DiversityInc is a long-standing DEI media, consulting, and benchmarking organization (Top 50 Companies for Diversity) that competes with IDC for corporate DEI training and credentialing budgets from a content-and-events-led platform.
• LinkedIn Learning: Major online learning platform offering extensive DEI course libraries at lower price points. Competes for budget-conscious individual learners and corporate L&D buyers who might otherwise pursue IDC's certifications.
• SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management): SHRM offers the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP credentials with substantial DEI content embedded in the body of knowledge. As the dominant HR certification body, SHRM could expand dedicated DEI credentials or partner with IDC's competitors, posing a broad competitive threat.
• HRCI (HR Certification Institute): HRCI issues PHR, SPHR, and aPHR credentials covering HR competencies including DEI. It competes for the same HR professional wallet share as IDC and has the scale to bundle DEI content into mainstream HR certifications.
• Catalyst: Global nonprofit focused on workplace inclusion for women and underrepresented groups. Catalyst offers research-backed DEI learning programs and advisory services that overlap with IDC's enterprise and senior executive audiences.

Direct peers

• Cornell University (eCornell DEI Certificate): Cornell offers university-branded DEI certificate programs that compete directly with IDC's CDP and CDE, leveraging institutional prestige and alumni networks. IDC explicitly accepts Cornell certificants into its refresher courses, confirming direct market overlap.
• University of South Florida (USF DEI Certificate): USF offers a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate program for professionals. IDC's refresher course materials explicitly accommodate USF certificants, confirming it as a credential competitor in the same space.
• National Diversity Council (NDC): Direct competitor offering DEI certification programs (CDC, CDE, CDO credentials) to professionals and executives. NDC is referenced in IDC's own refresher course materials as a competing credential, making it the closest functional peer.
• The Diversity Movement: DEI education and consulting firm that is simultaneously an IDC licensing partner and a competitor offering its own DEI training and certification-adjacent programs. Serves the same corporate buyer evaluating DEI training vendors.

Emerging players

• Gatson Group (Diversity Builder): IDC licensing partner that delivers IDC-approved CDP and CDE exam prep while offering its own DEI consulting services. Represents a smaller competitor with overlapping curriculum delivery in the same niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diversitycertification

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Institute for Diversity Certification, (IDC), Inc.