Recertifying your CWDL supports your career growth and strengthens your leadership impact. By keeping your credential active, you signal your readiness for advancement, your investment in lifelong learning, and your ability to lead with current, relevant expertise in a changing workforce environment, positioning yourself as a trusted professional and a catalyst for meaningful outcomes.
Recertification Timeline:
Recertification is due every 3 years from the original certification date.
CWDLs have a 30-day grace period following their certification expiration date to submit a recertification application. After the 30-day grace period, the certification becomes inactive. If recertification is not awarded within one year of expiration, you must submit a new certification application and go through the full approval process again.
CWDL Recertification Requirements
To successfully recertify, applicants must meet the following requirements:
Professional Development Training Hours
Complete a minimum of 36 hours of professional development activities over the three-year certification cycle. Training hours must apply to the Core Competencies of the CWDL.
NAWDP Membership
Maintain active NAWDP membership each year of your three-year certification period.
Code of Ethics
Agree to and adhere to NAWDP’s Professional Code of Ethics and Practices.
CWDL Recertification Process
STEP 1:
Complete the Recertification Application
Complete the recertification application and submit your supporting documentation. Please note that supporting documentation should be compiled into one single PDF file. Any single training of 10 hours or more must have a syllabus or outline to justify the hours.
STEP 2:
Pay CWDL Recertification Application Fee
You will be prompted for payment during your application process. Credit Card transactions may be completed online, and Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to NAWDP and mailed to the address on the bottom of the invoice. Your application will not be reviewed until payment is processed.
Application Fee
The recertification application fee is $75 and is separate from your annual NAWDP membership dues, which must be maintained throughout your certification period.
Please note: All recertification application fees are non-refundable.
Review Timeline
CWDL recertification applications are reviewed monthly and processed in the order they are received.
- Submission: Applications may be submitted at any time.
- Review Start: Reviews begin on the first day of the month following submission.
Example: An application submitted in September will enter review on October 1. - Documentation & CWDL Application Fees: Applicants will be notified if any documentation is missing or if the application fee has not been processed. To ensure timely review, all required documentation and fees must be submitted by the 10th of each month.
Example: For an October review cycle, all documentation and fees must be received by November 10. - Final Decision: Final application status will be communicated within 45 days of the start of the review cycle, provided all materials are complete.
Example: Applications reviewed beginning October 1 with complete documentation by November 10 will receive a final decision by November 15.
Applications that are incomplete by the documentation deadline will be deferred to the next review cycle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have additional questions about eligibility requirements or the application process? Review our Certification Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Get Started?
Keep your CWDL active and your professional development on track. Grab detailed information on the requirements and application process in the CWDL Recertification Guide.