CAREER CENTER
CEcD & Basic Economic Development Course
What is the CEcD certification?
The Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) is the highest designation in the economic development profession and is offered by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
What is the CEcD certification?
The CEcD provides you with the knowledge to transition into a higher-level role and/or a new area in the economic development field. Additionally, CEcDs often earn higher salaries and gain a competitive advantage when job hunting.
To sit for the CEcD exam, IEDC requires applicants to have at least four years of consecutive, paid, full-time economic development-related experience.
Path to Certification
Economic developers seeking certification through IEDC are required to take a minimum of six professional development courses and one required workshop, including:
Core Competency courses (all four required):
- Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC)
- Business Retention and Expansion
- Economic Development Credit Analysis
- Real Estate Development & Reuse
Elective Competency Courses (minimum of 2):
- Economic Development Finance
- Economic Development Marketing & Attraction
- Economic Development Strategic Planning
- Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies
- Neighborhood Development Strategies
- Management Economic Development Organizations
- Technology-led Economic Development
- Workforce Development
- Foreign Direct Investment & Exporting
CEcD Exam Essentials Workshop
Does AAED offer resources to prepare for the CEcD?
Yes!
AAED partners with IEDC to provide the Basic Economic Development Course (BEDC) each year in January. This course counts as credit toward obtaining the CEcD certification and is open to economic development practitioners and providers nationwide. You do not need to be an AAED member to attend.
Additionally, AAED provides exclusive resources to members preparing for the CEcD exam. These include:
- Access to our network of CEcD mentors
- Connections to fellow AAED members pursuing their CEcD to form study groups
- AAED recommended Quizlets
- Draft essay prompts
- General exam tips
Not currently an AAED member? Click here to view our membership types and complete your application!
Already an AAED member? Contact info@aaed.com to get access to our exclusive CEcD resources.
Basic Economic Development Course
Each year, AAED partners with IEDC to provide the Basic Economic Development Course. This course counts as credit toward obtaining the CEcD certification.