Your Mark of BD Excellence
Explore BDA’s Business Development Certifications
The BDA-CP and BDA-SCP certifications measure your ability to apply BD principles to real-life situations. No other business development certification compares.
Get Your BDA Business Development Certification
One of the core pillars of the Business Development Association (BDA®) is providing globally recognized and comprehensive professional certifications in business development. Built on internationally accredited professional standards, BDA has developed an integrated certification framework designed to enhance the expertise of professionals and empower organizations to establish sustainable and effective business development strategies.
At the heart of this system, the BDA Exam Development Framework follows the latest global standards in professional certification assessments, aligning with industry-leading models for competency-based professional qualification exams. This ensures that BDA certifications reflect real-world business development requirements, making them among the most credible and professionally managed certifications in the field worldwide.
BDA certifications are based on an in-depth Role Delineation Study (RDS), which defines the essential knowledge and skills required for business development professionals. This methodology ensures that every certification is not just an academic recognition but a practical tool that enables professionals to drive measurable impact in competitive business environments.
As a result, BDA-certified professionals hold credentials that have been developed in alignment with the highest international standards, shaped by global experts and seasoned practitioners in business development. These certifications not only enhance professional credibility but also provide a competitive advantage in the global job market.
Internal Links:-
- BDA Business Development Certified Professional (BDA-CP)
- BDA Business Development Senior Certified Professional (BDA-SCP)
- How to Get Certified with BDA?
- BDA Business Development Certification Exam Details
- Which Business Development Certification is best for me?
- BDA Business Development Certification Learning Paths
- BDA Recertification
- Download The BDA Exam Content Outline (ECO)
BDA Certification: BDA-CP & BDA-SCP

The BDA-CP™ (Certified Professional) certification recognizes professionals demonstrating proficiency in Business Development as a structured discipline focused on growth, partnerships, and strategic opportunity design.

The BDA-SCP™ (Senior Certified Professional) certification recognizes senior-level professionals who lead Business Development strategy, growth initiatives, and organizational value creation at an advanced level.
The Role of the BDA Body of Competency & Knowledge (BDA-BoCK™)
All BDA certifications are anchored to the BDA Body of Competency & Knowledge (BDA-BoCK™).
The BDA-BoCK™:
Defines the scope of business development as a discipline
Specifies core competencies, knowledge domains, and professional behaviors
Serves as the normative reference for certification assessment
Ensures global consistency across certifications, regions, and industries
Certification exams assess competence against the BoCK, not against proprietary training content.

Steps to Certification
Registration
Begin your certification journey by registering online through the BDA Portal.
Select your desired certification (BDA-CP or BDA-SCP), complete the online application, and purchase your exam voucher to reserve your seat for the next exam window.
Study
Prepare for the exam using the official BDA Body of Competency & Knowledge (BDA-BoCK™) and resources available on the BDA Learning Portal.
You can also take mock exams that simulate the real test experience to strengthen your readiness.
Examination
Take your online proctored exam through the BDA Portal.
The exam consists of 120 scenario-based multiple-choice questions to assess your applied knowledge and analytical skills across various business development environments.
Certification Issuance
Upon passing the exam, you will receive your official BDA Certificate and digital credential, verifying your global competence in business development.
Certified professionals can also maintain their credentials through professional development credits or re-examination every three years.
The Role of Learning and Preparation

Learning and preparation are support mechanisms, not certification requirements.
Candidates may prepare using:
The official BDA Body of Competency & Knowledge (BDA-BoCK™)
Structured learning resources available through the BDA Learning System
Practice questions and mock exams aligned with certification standards
Training programs and preparation courses may be offered by approved partners but remain separate from certification assessment and decision-making.
BDA Accreditations

AIDP™ – Accredited Internal Development Program
Professional accreditation for organizations delivering internal programs aligned with the BDA BoCK™ to foster institutional learning culture.

AAI™ – Accredited Academic Institute
Accreditation for academic institutions aligning their curricula with the BDA BoCK™ to support future business development professionals.

COE™ – Certified Organizational Enabler
A strategic accreditation for institutions building an internal environment that supports business development practices based on BDA global standards.

RPDE™ – Recognized Public Development Entity
Official recognition for public sector entities that implement initiatives or policies aligned with BDA’s business development framework.

CSIS™ – Certified Social Impact Supporter
Certification for non-profit and community organizations that integrate business development thinking into sustainable social initiatives.

