Security Professional Education Development (SPēD) Certification Program

 

The SPēD Certification Program is part of the Department of Defense (DoD) initiative to professionalize the security workforce. This initiative ensures there exists a common set of competencies among security practitioners that promotes interoperability, facilitates professional development and training, and develops a workforce of certified security professionals. The program consists of five certifications and four credentials.  

Enterprise Certifications 

Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC)

The SFPC provides a recognized and reliable indication of a security practitioner's understanding of foundational concepts, principles, and practices needed to successfully protect DoD assets. The SFPC was accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) in December 2012, and received re-accreditation in November 2018, demonstrating its continued compliance with NCCA standards. 

Security Asset Protection Professional Certification (SAPPC)
The SAPPC provides a recognized and reliable indication of a security practitioner's ability to apply foundational concepts, principles, and practices needed to successfully perform functions, implement programs, and pursue missions to protect DoD assets. Candidates must be conferred the SFPC to participate. The SAPPC was accredited by the NCCA in January 2014, and received re-accreditation in November 2018, demonstrating its continued compliance with NCCA standards. 
 
Security Program Integration Professional Certification (SPIPC)
The SPIPC provides a recognized and reliable indication of a security practitioner's understanding and ability to apply risk management and security program management concepts, principles, and practices. Candidates must be conferred the SFPC to participate. The SPIPC was accredited by the NCCA in February 2015 and received re-accreditation in November 2018, demonstrating its continued compliance with NCCA standards. 
 
Physical Security Certification (PSC)
The PSC is ideal for DoD, Industry, and federal members performing physical security functions. The PSC was accredited by the NCCA in March 2016, and received re-accreditation in April 2021, demonstrating its continued compliance with NCCA standards. 
 

Enterprise Credentials 

Special Program Security Credential (SPSC) 
The SPSC is ideal for personnel who will be or are already performing Security Officer functions for and/or on behalf of DoD Special Access Programs. Candidates must be conferred the SFPC to participate.  
 
Industrial Security Oversight Credential (ISOC)
The ISOC is ideal for DoD, Industry, and federal members under the National Industrial Security Program (NISP). Candidates must be conferred the SFPC to participate. The ISOC was accredited by the NCCA in November 2017, and received re-accreditation in August 2022, demonstrating its continued compliance with NCCA.  
 
Antiterrorism Credential (ATC)
The ATC provides a recognized and reliable indication of a security practitioner's understanding and ability to specify purpose, function, and role of the AT Plan to the effective functioning of an AT Program, and appropriately apply that knowledge to contribute to the effective functioning of an AT program.
 

Speciality Certifications and Credentials

Adjudicator Professional Certification (APC)
The APC is required for all Personnel Security Adjudicators employed by the DoD or a DoD Intelligence Community (IC) Consolidated Adjudications Facility (CAF), and Personnel Security Adjudicators employed by an agency accepted to participate in the program. The APC was accredited by the NCCA in April 2018, and received re-accreditation in June 2023.
 
Due Process Adjudicator Professional Credential (DPAPC)
The DPAPC provides the recognition and official record of an individual's demonstrated understanding and application of occupational and technical knowledge, skills, and expertise necessary to proficiently perform essential due process adjudicator tasks (i.e., writing statements of reason (SORs), evaluating responses to SORs, recommending eligibility determinations or other functions following evaluation of responses to SORs).  
 

More information can be found at:

https://www.cdse.edu/certification/index.html

 

Contact information:

dcsa.spedcert@mail.mil