Certification in Transition Services

The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC) and its Division on Career Development and Transition (DCDT) are devoted to promoting quality transition education services and programs for all students with disabilities. CEC and DCDT maintain the fields’ leading standards and competencies for preparing and credentialing professionals working in the transition field. CEC and DCDT have partnered together to offer the National Certification in Transition Services, currently offered to individuals who have successfully completed a DCDT approved transition specialist preparation program (scroll down to see a list of approved programs).  All certifications are valid for five (5) years. 

*CEC and DCDT are currently partnering to develop an alternate certification process for professionals who did not complete a preparation program at a DCDT Approved institution. Please sign up HERE to receive updates on this process.  

Professional Certification (Initial)       For applicants who have recently completed a DCDT approved transition preparation program and/or do not currently hold a certification. 

 Application Fees:

• Professional Initial  CEC/DCDT* Members $125; Non-Members $200 
• Professional Renewal CEC/DCDT* Members $129; Non-Members $209 

*To receive the Member NCTS application rate, applicants must be a member in good standing in BOTH CEC and DCDT. Join here: https://exceptionalchildren.org/membership/individual-membership.

**Provisional NCTS has been phased out. Even if your application is submitted as Provisional, you will be processed as a Professional NCTS candidate. For questions about this, contact certification@exceptionalchildren.org