Examination Policies

BDA Certification & Examination Policies

The Business Development Association (BDA) establishes strict standards to ensure the integrity and credibility of its globally recognised professional certifications. These policies outline the rights and responsibilities of candidates and the regulations governing eligibility, exam administration, retakes, certification validity, and adherence to the Code of Conduct.

1
Eligibility Requirements

  • Candidates must meet the professional or educational requirements specified for each certification (BDA-CP™ or BDA-SCP™).
  • A completed application form with supporting documentation must be submitted before exam registration deadlines.
  • BDA reserves the right to review applications and deny eligibility if requirements are not met.

Review full eligibility criteria: Eligibility Criteria →

2
Examination Platform

  • All BDA examinations are conducted online only through BDA's dedicated testing portal.
  • Upon registration, candidates receive a personal account with access to exam instructions and available testing windows.
  • All exams are monitored electronically to ensure fairness, compliance, and exam integrity.

3
Exam Rules & Integrity

  • Candidates must log in with valid credentials and verify their identity when requested.
  • Unauthorised materials, devices, or resources are strictly prohibited during the exam.
  • Any act of cheating, tampering, or misconduct will result in cancellation of results and may lead to further disciplinary action in line with the BDA Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct: All candidates are bound by the BDA Code of Conduct. Read Code of Conduct →

4
Retake Policy

  • There is no maximum limit to the number of exam retakes. Candidates may retake the exam at any time, provided they pay the applicable exam fee for each attempt.
  • Candidates are strongly encouraged to prepare thoroughly by reviewing the BDA BoCK® and official preparation resources before attempting the exam again.
  • Exam fees are non-refundable once an attempt has started.

Prepare for your exam: BDA BoCK™ Guide →

5
Certification Validity & Recertification

All BDA certifications are valid for three (3) years from the date of issue. After this period, certified professionals must either:

Option 1: PDCs

Complete the Recertification requirements by earning 60 Professional Development Credits (PDCs) within the 3-year cycle.

Option 2: Re-examination

Retake the certification exam to maintain their credential at the current standard.

Learn more about recertification: Recertification →

6
Suspension or Revocation of Certification

A certification may be suspended or revoked under the following circumstances:

  • Violation of the Code of Conduct.
  • Submission of false or misleading information in the application.
  • Proven cases of cheating or exam misconduct.

7
Data Protection & Privacy

Candidate data and certification records are managed in accordance with the Data Protection & GDPR Compliance Statement. Only successful candidates' names will appear in BDA's official public registry of certified professionals.

8
Appeals & Complaints

  • Candidates have the right to submit a formal appeal or request a review within 30 days of result publication.
  • All appeals are reviewed by an independent committee to ensure neutrality and fairness.

Submit an Appeal

Contact BDA Administration →

These policies ensure that every certification issued by the Business Development Association (BDA) represents genuine competence and that every exam is conducted in a fair, transparent, and globally recognised manner. Compliance with these rules is what gives BDA certifications their international credibility and professional value.