Highest Level of Institutional Alignment
Become a BDA® Education & Certification Partner
The ECP model represents the highest level of institutional alignment with the Business Development Association — an institutional trust-based role within the global business development certification ecosystem.
ECP Certified
Education & Certification Partner
About ECP
The Highest Standard of Certification Alignment
The Education & Certification Partner (ECP) model represents the highest level of institutional alignment with the Business Development Association (BDA). ECP partnerships are designed to ensure the consistent application, governance, and quality assurance of certification-related programmes aligned with global business development standards.
ECP partners serve as a critical mechanism through which BDA extends certification integrity across markets while maintaining centralised oversight and standardisation. ECP is not a commercial affiliation — it is an institutional trust-based role within the global business development certification ecosystem.
As the global authority defining professional standards in business development, BDA is responsible not only for creating competency frameworks and certifications, but also for ensuring their credible, consistent, and compliant implementation worldwide.
The ECP Model Exists To
Establish Accountable PartnersResponsible for local execution of certification standards
Enable Global ScalabilityWithout compromising professional standards
Ensure BDA-BoCK AlignmentBetween certification programmes and the competency framework
Protect Certification IntegritySafeguard the credibility of BDA certifications globally
Why ECP Matters
Institutional Trust at the Heart of Global Certification
ECP partners are not training vendors — they are institutional extensions of BDA's certification governance framework. Every appointed partner carries the responsibility of upholding global professional standards in business development.
36+Countries
2,000+Professionals Served
1Global Standard
Scope of Authorisation
What ECP Partners Are Authorised to Do
The ECP designation grants a defined and governed scope of authorisation. Partners operate within this framework under BDA's institutional review and quality assurance oversight.
Deliver Certification Preparation Programmes
Design and deliver structured preparation programmes for BDA-CP® and BDA-SCP® certification examinations, aligned with the BDA BoCK 2026 global standard.
Use Official ECP Designation & Marks
Display the official ECP logo and designation on institutional platforms, marketing materials, and programme documentation as a recognised BDA partner.
Appear in BDA Global Partner Directory
Be listed in BDA's official global directory of Education & Certification Partners, providing institutional visibility across all BDA-served markets.
Access BDA BoCK Framework
Receive full access to the BDA Book of Knowledge (BoCK) framework for curriculum alignment, programme development, and instructional design purposes.
Participate in Certification Governance
Engage in BDA's certification governance and quality assurance ecosystem, contributing to the consistent and compliant delivery of global BD certification standards.
Deliver CPD Programmes & Issue PDCs
As ECP includes Standard PDP status, partners are also authorised to run BDA-recognised continuing professional development programmes and issue Professional Development Credits (PDCs).
Important: ECP authorisation is strictly scoped to the activities listed above. Partners may not conduct, administer, or invigilate BDA certification examinations, nor issue BDA credentials on behalf of the Association. All certification examination administration remains exclusively under BDA's direct governance.
Certification Excellence
Supporting the Global Standard for Business Development Professionals
As an ECP, your institution becomes a trusted gateway for professionals seeking globally recognised credentials — the BDA-CP® and BDA-SCP® — built on the BDA BoCK 2026 framework.
View All BDA Certifications
BDA Certifications Supported
BDA Certifications Supported by Education & Certification Partners
ECP partners are authorised to deliver preparation programmes for the following BDA professional certifications, both aligned to the BDA BoCK 2026 global standard.
Entry-Level Certification
BDA-CP®
Certified Professional in Business Development
- Validates core business development competencies across the full BDA-BoCK framework
- Designed for professionals with foundational to intermediate BD experience
- Globally recognised credential issued and governed exclusively by BDA
- Examination based on the BDA BoCK 2026 global standard
- Prerequisite pathway for the advanced BDA-SCP® certification
Advanced Certification
BDA-SCP®
Senior Certified Professional in Business Development
- Advanced certification for senior BD professionals and strategic leaders
- Assesses strategic, leadership, and cross-functional BD competencies
- Requires prior BDA-CP® certification as an eligibility condition
- Globally recognised credential issued and governed exclusively by BDA
- Examination based on the BDA BoCK 2026 global standard
Included in ECP
ECP Partnership Includes Standard PDP Status
The ECP partnership includes Standard PDP (Professional Development Provider) status — giving your institution dual recognition within the BDA global partnership framework at no additional cost.
What PDP Status Means for ECP Partners
Deliver CPD ProgrammesRun BDA-recognised professional development programmes beyond certification preparation
Issue Professional Development Credits (PDCs)Award BDA PDCs to participants who complete your approved development programmes
Dual Directory ListingListed in both the ECP Partners Directory and the PDP Providers Directory globally
Expanded Institutional MandateOperate across both certification preparation and continuing professional development under one partnership agreement
Use of Both MarksAuthorised to display both the ECP and PDP marks on institutional materials and platforms
Included in ECP
PDP — Professional Development Provider
Core PDP status is bundled within every ECP partnership at no additional cost
- Deliver BDA-recognised professional development programmes (CPD)
- Issue Professional Development Credits (PDCs) to programme participants
- Listed in the official BDA Professional Development Providers Directory
- Authorised use of the PDP mark on institutional materials
- Access to BDA's continuing development framework and guidelines
ECP vs. Standalone PDP
ECP (includes PDP)
✓ Certification prep programmes
✓ CPD / PDC programmes
✓ Both ECP + PDP marks
✓ Dual directory listing
✓ Highest governance tier
✓ CPD / PDC programmes
✓ Both ECP + PDP marks
✓ Dual directory listing
✓ Highest governance tier
Standalone PDP
— No certification prep
✓ CPD / PDC programmes
✓ PDP mark only
✓ PDP directory listing
— Standard tier
✓ CPD / PDC programmes
✓ PDP mark only
✓ PDP directory listing
— Standard tier
Eligibility
01
Institutional Credibility
Governance maturity and recognised standing in the professional or educational sector.
02
Professional & Ethical Standards
Alignment with BDA's Code of Conduct and professional governance framework.
03
Regulated Environment Capability
Ability to operate within regulated certification environments and maintain BDA compliance.
04
Strategic Relevance
Relevance to the local BD ecosystem and commitment to advancing professional standards.
05
Learning Delivery Infrastructure
Qualified instructors, programme management, and candidate support systems in place.
06
BDA-BoCK Alignment Readiness
Commitment to align all programme content with the BDA BoCK 2026 global standard.
Eligible organisations may integrate BDA-aligned certification preparation programmes into their existing offerings, subject to BDA's institutional review and ECP appointment process.
Appointment Process
The Appointment Process
The appointment of BDA Education & Certification Partners follows a structured process designed to ensure alignment with BDA's certification governance standards while enabling organisations to onboard efficiently and begin delivery with clarity. The process typically includes the following stages:
1
Expression of Interest
Organisations share an overview of their learning offerings, delivery model, and interest in supporting BDA-aligned certification preparation. This initial stage allows BDA to assess institutional fit and readiness before proceeding to formal review.
2
Alignment Review
BDA conducts a review to ensure alignment with the intent of its business development standards and the scope of certification exam-preparation delivery. This includes an assessment of institutional credibility, programme infrastructure, and BDA-BoCK alignment readiness.
3
Appointment and Confirmation
Once alignment is established, organisations are formally appointed as BDA Education & Certification Partners and provided with appointment confirmation, official designation materials, and next-step guidance for programme launch.
4
Onboarding and Enablement
Appointed ECP partners are onboarded into the BDA ecosystem and provided with relevant governance guidance, BDA-BoCK framework access, programme resources, and institutional support to begin delivery in full compliance with BDA standards.
Ready to Become a BDA® Education & Certification Partner?
Join a globally governed network of institutions committed to the highest standards of business development certification.