Professional Designation FAQ

Professional Designation FAQ

A professional designation is also known as a professional certification. Certifications and certificate programs differ primarily in purpose, authority, and requirements. Certifications, issued by professional and educational organizations – such as the Professional Director Institute© – or regulatory bodies, validate a professional's skills and knowledge through exams and often require ongoing maintenance. They are recognized as marks of expertise within specific industries and organizations. In contrast, certificate programs are educational achievements awarded by institutions such as universities or colleges upon completing a set curriculum. While both enhance professional qualifications, certifications are more about industry-standard validation, whereas certificate programs are more about academic and practical learning.

Some are recognized internationally, while others may be specific to certain countries or regions.
The Professional Director® designation, attained through the Professional Director Certification Program® is recognized globally, and used as benchmark in countries all around the world.

Yes, many professionals hold multiple designations to enhance their expertise and career prospects.

To maintain your professional designation, you typically need to engage in continuing education and adhere to professional standards. For instance, the Professional Director Institute© requires 30 hours of continuing education every three years for its Professional Director Designation®. To support this, the institute offers 30 minutes of free content every Tuesday, available to both alumni and the public, which can collectively contribute to the required 30 hours of continuing education.