Application Process
How do I apply for the CDS exam?
Log into your NDA portal account to access the application. The application is accessible through the Certification table “Apply for Certification”.
How do I request a testing accomodating during my exam?
NDA complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act to accommodate candidates with special needs. Candidates with documented visual, physical, hearing, or learning disabilities that would prevent them from taking an examination under standard conditions may request special testing accommodations and arrangements. For the exam administrations, special needs must be documented in writing by the candidate’s doctor or other qualified professional on official letterhead. This written documentation must accompany the CDS application. Please note that requests for accommodation must be received at least 30 days before the application deadline.
Am I able to transfer my exam to the next testing window?
You must notify NDA of your desire to transfer your exam into the next test window within a minimum of 5 business days prior to the scheduled exam. If you do not meet this timeframe, then your transfer cannot occur, and you will be subject to the rescheduling fee.
Preparing for the CDS Exam
How many questions are on the exam?
There are 110 questions on the CDS exam.
How long do I have to take the exam?
The CDS exam is two hours and thirty minutes.
How much does it cost to take the exam?
The application fee for NDA members is $595.00 and for non-NDA members, the fee is $755.00
Why is the exam so board?
The exam was developed to assure employers that candidates holding the CDS certification possess the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities to work across all fields of the demolition industry.
What is the format of the exam?
All questions on the exam are multiple choice. There will be one correct answer, and three plausible, but incorrect answers.
Exam Results
How long does it take for me to receive my official score?
How long does it take for me to receive my official score?
Official results will be emailed to candidates approximately six to eight weeks from the close of the testing period/window. Please note that the close of the testing window may be up to three weeks after an individual’s testing date.
Note: To ensure the confidentiality of exam results, actual scores will only be released via email to the candidate's email address on file with NDA. Scores will NOT be sent to employers, other individuals, or organizations under any circumstances. Names of candidates who do not pass the examination are confidential and are not revealed under any circumstances, except by legal compulsory process.
Why do I not receive my score right away?
To ensure industry best practices for certification programs, NDA determines the passing standard for the CDS by a process of statistical equating. Equating requires data on actual candidate performance to determine the passing standard, the scores cannot be released until after all candidates take the test.
How are the exams scored?
Each candidate taking the exam is judged against a predetermined standard rather than against other candidates. The predetermined standard is set by a committee of subject matter experts working with testing experts to ensure the validity, reliability, and legal defensibility of the exam. Scaled scoring will be used on all exam forms. Scaled scoring involves a mathematical conversion of the number of items that a candidate correctly answers transformed so that there is a consistent scale used across all forms of the exam.
Why can't I get a copy of the questions I got wrong or know what the right answers are to the questions I got wrong?
The exams are protected by copyright and the certification is seeking to be an accredited program in the future through ANAB/ISO17024. To protect the integrity of the exam and assure fairness to future candidates, the questions on exams, including answers to questions, may not be shared by NDA Certification Board, Test Development Volunteers and/or candidates who may have already taken the exam.
Will I receive a printed certificate in the mail after I pass my exam?
No, NDA will be offering digital badge certificates. Those who pass their certification exams will receive a digital badge from Credly, our digital badge platform, they can add to their online profiles and email signatures. In Credly, certificants will be able to download a PDF certificate they can print at their own convenience. Click here for a step-by-step guide.
Already Certified
When do I need to recertify?
Certificants need to recertify within three years. The certification cycle begins at the time of notification of successful completion of the certification exam and continues through March 31, every three years.
More information on continuing education units will be released at a later date.