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Introducing More Flexibility, Convenience for Becoming CDAL-Certified

Show residents and their families your passion for providing the best quality of care through participation in the Certified Director of Assisted Living (CDAL) program. We are continuing to enhance the CDAL program and improve the process for certification, allowing for more flexibility for busy senior living professionals.

We’ve recently made some changes to the eligibility requirements for becoming CDAL-certified; now, if you have a bachelor’s degree, granted by an accredited entity, you need at least one year (2,000 hours) of work experience as an assisted living community executive director OR at least three years (6,000 hours) of work experience in a management capacity in one or more assisted living communities. If you don’t possess a degree, you are required to have at least three years (6,000 hours) of work experience as an assisted living community executive director OR at least five years (10,000 hours) of work experience in a management capacity in one or more assisted living communities.

Also in 2019, we’ve partnered with a new testing vendor, Kryterion, offering greater convenience to candidates seeking certification. Now, candidates can participate in on-demand testing and no longer need to wait for testing windows. In addition, test results will be available immediately following completion of the exam. Plus, we are evaluating opportunities to take the exam in conjunction with industry events, such as those held by Argentum and our association partners. Before taking the exam, be sure to review our exam preparation resources, including the Assisted Living Executive Director Community Primer, the Online Practice Test, and the CDAL Prep Course.

Once you’ve become CDAL-certified, you will need to recertify every three years and will recertify as of December 31st of the year recertification is due. Please review the CDAL Candidate Handbook for detailed information related to maintaining CDAL certification.

Finally, be loud and be proud when promoting your credential! We have shared several options for promotion—displaying your certificate, wearing your lapel pin, adding a CDAL badge to your email signature, sending a press release to media, and more—on our website. Check it out today to get the recognition you deserve!

“The CDAL program continues to attract participation from executive directors and department leaders who want to better position themselves for career advancement,” said John Schulte, executive director, Senior Living Certification Commission. “The CDAL program is designed to promote professionalism and recognizes those who demonstrate the high degree of proficiency needed for successful leadership of assisted living communities. We hope these improvements allow more executive directors to participate in the CDAL program.”