Frequently Asked Questions
What is DEX?
DEX is an independent certification institution for persons. It certifies that someone is ready to work at a defined band of responsibility, in a defined industry.
DEX is not a course. It is not a training programme. It is not a membership club. It is not a job placement service.
The credential is earned by passing an assessment. It is not earned through coursework, attendance, or years of experience.
Who is DEX for?
DEX is for people whose skills are real but hard to prove on paper.
This includes career changers, newcomers to a country, people entering the workforce, and people returning after time away. It also includes anyone whose resume does not reflect what they can actually do.
DEX Associate Certification is the entry point. It is open to anyone. There are no prerequisites.
What does DEX certify?
DEX certifies readiness to perform at a defined scope of responsibility, in a defined industry.
It measures what someone can do now. It does not test what they have done in the past. It does not test memorisation or knowledge recall.
What are the four certification levels?
DEX has four master certification levels:
- DEX-A -- Associate. Supervised, entry-level readiness.
- DEX-P -- Professional. Independent work through expert-level scope.
- DEX-M -- Management. People leadership from frontline teams through corporate-wide scope.
- DEX-PF -- Portfolio. Enterprise leadership from regional through global scale.
Each level except DEX-A contains multiple bands. Bands show meaningful differences in operating scope.
What are the 13 bands?
Bands are tiers within each level. They show meaningful differences in responsibility and scope.
DEX-A (1 band): Associate.
DEX-P (4 bands): Specialist, Practitioner, Lead Expert, Strategist.
DEX-M (4 bands): Team Leader, Group Manager, Area Director, Division Head.
DEX-PF (4 bands): Regional, National, Cross-Border, Global.
Bands reflect scope of responsibility. They are not rankings.
What are the 10 industries?
DEX certifications are industry-specific. The 10 industries are:
Arts, DaaS (Drone as a Service), Education, Energy, Government, Healthcare, Human Resources, Marketing, Nonprofit/NGOs, Utilities.
How do band and industry combine?
Each certification names a specific band and a specific industry. The credential label uses the format: Band Name + Industry.
Examples: Specialist Healthcare, Division Head Energy, Cross-Border Nonprofit/NGOs, Global Human Resources.
There are 130 certification products in total. That is 13 bands across 10 industries.
How is the assessment structured?
The assessment has 90 questions. Candidates have 90 minutes. It is online and proctored.
The pass standard is based on minimum readiness at the certified band. No further structural detail is disclosed.
What does passing mean?
Passing means the candidate has shown minimum readiness at the certified band, in the certified industry.
The assessment measures readiness, not memorisation. The result confirms that the candidate can perform at the defined scope.
Are there prerequisites?
No. There are no required qualifications, experience thresholds, or degree requirements.
The assessment is the gatekeeper. Anyone can register for any band in any industry.
DEX may offer band-selection guidance. That guidance is advisory, not mandatory.
How much does it cost?
Prices are the same for all bands within a level. Prices are also the same for all 10 industries. All prices are in Canadian dollars (CAD).
| Level | With Membership | Without Membership | Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEX-A | $199 | $299 | $288 |
| DEX-P | $299 | $399 | $388 |
| DEX-M | $399 | $499 | $488 |
| DEX-PF | $499 | $599 | $588 |
What does the bundle include?
Each bundle includes:
- Assessment at the member rate
- One year of membership ($89/year)
- Study guide for the chosen band and industry
The bundle saves $149 compared to buying each item separately at the non-member price.
Can the assessment be retaken?
Yes. There is no required waiting period.
Each retake uses different questions. Previous questions are excluded.
There is no limit on the number of attempts. See the retake fees below.
What are the retake fees?
All retake fees are in Canadian dollars (CAD):
| Level | With Membership | Without Membership |
|---|---|---|
| DEX-A | $100 | $150 |
| DEX-P | $150 | $200 |
| DEX-M | $200 | $250 |
| DEX-PF | $250 | $300 |
How long is the certification valid?
Every DEX certification is valid for 24 months from the date of passing.
Renewal requires retaking the assessment. This keeps the credential current.
What does a candidate receive when they pass?
Every certification includes, at no extra charge:
- Digital badge with certification number
- LinkedIn credential badge linked to the verification database
- Verification link
- 24-month validity period
- Certification number
How do employers verify a credential?
The credential holder shares their credential ID with the employer. The employer checks the public registry.
No name-based search is available. No account is needed to verify.
What is credential stacking?
Credential stacking means earning more than one certification across bands or industries.
Stacking can be vertical (higher band, same industry), horizontal (same band, different industries), or diagonal (different band and different industry).
Each credential stands on its own. Candidates do not need to progress through bands in order.
What is the study guide?
The study guide is a preparation tool for a specific band and industry. It has three parts:
- Part 1: Industry knowledge and landscape.
- Part 2: Band-specific responsibilities and operating scope.
- Part 3: Content specific to the band-industry combination.
The study guide is not an assessment blueprint. It does not contain assessment questions.
What does membership include?
Membership costs $89 CAD per year. It applies across all levels, bands, and industries.
Membership includes:
- Assessment at the member rate ($100 savings at every level)
- Study guide included with each assessment
- Access to member resources
Membership does not mean certification. A member who has not passed an assessment is not a DEX-certified professional.
Is DEX recognised by employers?
DEX is an independent certification institution. It provides a structured, publicly verifiable, renewal-based system. Band-specific and industry-specific readiness is easier to read than resume signals alone.
Employer recognition will be reported when supported by outcome evidence. No unsupported claims are made.