Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I become an NCDA Instructor?
NCDA Instructors are individuals that have completed one of our approved Instructor Certification Programs. Qualified individuals must be accepted into one of the Instructor Certification Programs which are offered at various dates and locations through the country.
Successful instructor applicants usually have:
- 5-10 years of career development background
- Training experience with adults
- Professional affiliations
- Presentations/publications of books/training materials
- Advanced degrees
The NCDA FCD Instructor Certification Workshop includes:
- Three days of instruction on the NCDA Curriculum.
- An experiential approach - participants practice teaching the NCDA career development competencies with feedback from NCDA Master Trainers.
Then...
- Join the NCDA Instructor Registry
- Instruct you own course.
Who do I contact for more information?
The Project Director is Mary Ann Powell. She can be reached at the NCDA Headquarters (note, the office is closed on Fridays).
National Career Development Association
305 N. Beech Circle
Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Phone: (918) 663-7060
FAX: (918) 663-7058
E-mail: mpowell@ncda.org
Where can I purchase NCDA's curriculum?
You can purchase the curriculum by visiting the Career Resource Store or by contacting our office. The cost of the Instructor Package is $350 and includes the instructor manual and student manual. The student manuals are $275 for a print copy or $250 for an electronic copy.
I work full time and don't feel I have the time to be in a classroom for training. What are my options?
Most approved trainers offer flexible schedules including weekend and evening options. For a list of the upcoming NCDA FCD Training Programs please Search for a Scheduled Course or Explore Flexible Courses.
I have been working in the career development field for several years but have not taken any specific coursework or training. Where can I get the required training for the credential?
The NCDA website lists numerous online training options. You can click on Search for a Scheduled Course or you may Explore Flexible Courses.
Where do Career Service Providers work?
This title designates individuals working in a variety of career development settings. A career service provider may serve as a career group facilitator, job search trainer, career resource center coordinator, career coach, career development case manager, intake interviewer, occupational and labor market information resource person, human resource career development coordinator, employment/placement specialist, or workforce development staff persons.
What is the difference between a Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP), and a Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF)?
The term Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) refers to an individual who has successfully completed an NCDA training program and applied and been awarded the CCSP credential. The CCSP credential is a competency-based credential. The Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE) manages the Global to Career Development Facilitator. The GCDF credential is based on education and experience. More information can be found at www.cce-globa.org.
I am a trained NCDA Instructor but I am not listed on the NCDA Instructor Registry. Are there any requirements that I must meet in order to teach the FCD course?
Yes, there are requirements that you must meet in order to teach the NCDA FCD course. Your NCDA FCD Instructor Registry and NCDA memberships must be current. If you do not maintain membership in both of these areas, your students will not be eligible to apply for the CCSP Credential. As an FCD Instructor listed on the FCD Instructor Registry, you must obtain 75 hours of continuing education during the 5-year certification period.
What are the tiers of NCDA Training?
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Master Trainers are current instructors selected through an application process. Selection is based on specific criteria, commitment, and instructor experience.
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Training is scheduled on as "as needed" basis or approximately every 3 years. Dates and deadlines will be announced on the NCDA website and NCDA will notify everyone on the NCDA Instructor Registry about future training.
- NCDA offers an Instructor Registry and a training calendar on their website to assist in recruitment of qualified individuals to become new NCDA FCD Instructors.
NCDA FCD Instructor Qualifications
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Selected through an application process. Selection is based on education, experience, and commitment.
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Applicants must meet minimum qualifications as indicated on the Become an FCD Instructor website.
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Instructors must successfully complete an instructor training program given by an NCDA FCD Master Trainer to become an NCDA FCD Instructor.
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NCDA offers an Instructor Registry and a training calendar on their website to assist in recruit of qualified individuals to become new NCDA FCD Instructors.
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The NCDA FCD Instructor Registry offers:
- Advertisement of your classes on the NCDA Website
- Automatic receipt of updates to curriculum
- Your name appears on the registry as an NCDA FCD Instructor or Master Trainer.
- Notifications of any updates or changes to rules and upcoming trainings and conferences.
CCSP (Certified Career Services Provider) Credential
- The CCSP credential is issued by the NCDA Credentialing Commission.
- Credentialing is based on the successful completion of the NCDA FCD Training and Certification Program. Individuals must also complete the application process which includes an assessment. Details can be found on the NCDA CCSP website.
- Access to apply for the credential is limited to those participants who complete the training from an NCDA FCD Instructor who is on the NCDA FCD Instructor Registry.
- Recertification requires 30 hours of continuing education during the 3-year period.
- There is a maintenance fee required to maintain the CCSP credential.
GCDF (Global Career Development Facilitator) Credential
- Global certification is issued by the Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE).
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Certification is based on the individual participating in a CCE approved training. Individuals must also meet the education and experience requirements as indicated on CCE's GCDF application available at www.cce-global.org.
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Certification is for 5 years with recertification requirements of continuing education.
I've been an NCDA Instructor for several years and have conducted numerous courses. Where can I go from here?
You may want to consider becoming an NCDA Master Trainer and train others to become instructors of the NCDA Curriculum.
Master Trainer workshops are typically held every three years. Please check the website periodically for updates, selection criteria, and workshop information. Please note: in order to apply for the NCDA Master Trainer workshop, you must be a member of the NCDA Instructor Registry.
What is the NCDA Facilitating Career Development Training Program?
The NCDA Facilitating Career Development (FCD) Training and Certification Program is NCDA’s premier offering, encompassing all aspects of career development. It equips participants with essential skills to deliver effective career services to diverse individuals and groups.
Designed for those with varying educational backgrounds and work experiences, this program focuses on building foundational career development skills. Participants receive in-depth training in core career development competencies, enabling them to provide high-quality career services to a broad range of populations, including K-12 students, higher education, workforce development, government employees, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and those navigating career transitions. The skills are transferrable and can be used in various settings and populations in need of career development services.
Upon successful completion of the FCD Training Program, individuals can apply for the competency-based Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) Credential at no additional fee. Instructions to apply for the CCSP credential are included in the newest edition of the NCDA FCD Student Manual. Questions: please contact Mary Ann Powell
I have completed the training, have the CCSP Credential, and several years of experience. Where can I go from here?
You may want to consider becoming an NCDA FCD Instructor and train others to become Career Services Providers.
I just finished the course, now what?
I still can't find a course!
There are a number of instructors that are willing to conduct custom training or offer open entry/open exit programs. Visit the Custom Courses listing.
I've looked at the training calendar but I still can't find a course.
If you are having trouble locating a course in your area, please Search for Instructors in your area. Sometimes, instructors do not post their course offerings on the NCDA website. By contacting the instructors in your area you may find the desired course for your needs.
How do I find a training program?
You will first need to consider what training method you would prefer as well as your location. If you think you would like the eLearning mode of delivery because of your learning style or location please complete this Technology Assessment Form to see if you are a candidate. Courses are offered online or a traditional face-to-face format. To view upcoming courses click on Register for FCD Training.
I'm interested. How can I get trained?
The NCDA Training is available in two modes of delivery. Individuals can attend traditional face-to-face classroom training or participate in an online course. Since early 2020, most courses are taught fully online. However, all FCD courses require a face-to-face component. Most instructors will utilize Zoom, Google Meet, MS Teams or a similar technology to meet this requirement.
Tell me more about the Facilitating Career Development Training Program.
The Facilitating Career Development Training Program is an intense training program that includes up to 120 hours of instruction. The Training Program is taught by knowledgeable instructors who have been trained in the delivery of the curriculum. The curriculum addresses major career development areas and provides up-to-date resources, references, career-related website and much more. The NCDA Curriculum has been approved by the Center for Credentialing and Education. Individuals that successfully complete the NCDA Training Program are eligible to apply for the new NCDA Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) credential or the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) credential.
The FCD Training Program is designed for those with varying educational backgrounds and work experiences, this program focuses on building foundational career development skills. Participants receive in-depth training in core career development competencies, enabling them to provide high-quality career services to a broad range of populations, including K-12 students, higher education, workforce development, government employees, veterans, justice-involved individuals, and those navigating career transitions. The skills are transferrable and can be used in various settings and populations in need of career development services.
Upon successful completion of the FCD Training Program, individuals can apply for the competency-based Certified Career Services Provider (CCSP) Credential at no additional fee. Instructions to apply for the CCSP credential are included in the newest edition of the NCDA FCD Student Manual. Questions: please contact Mary Ann Powell
What kind of job might I get with the training?
- Career group facilitator
- Job search trainer
- Career resource center coordinator
- Career coach
- Career development case manager
- Intake interviewer
- Occupational and labor market information resource person
- Human resource career development coordinator
- Employment/placement specialist
- Workforce development staff person
- and more…
What will I learn?
- Career resources and labor market information
- Career planning processes
- Basic helping and facilitation skills
- Career development models and theories
- Informal and formal assessment approaches
- Diversity and specific population needs
- Development and maintenance of an effective career resource center
- Training others and program promotion
- Case management and referral skills
- Ethical and scope-of-practice issues
- Professional and resource portfolios
- Cutting-edge job searching
- and more. . .
