National Certification for Educational Diagnosticians

The premier national credential for special education assessment professionals who hold high standards of practice

Why NCED?

  • Up to I million in professional liability coverage included with eligible NCED Professional Certificate Holder Fees 

  • Optional enhanced coverage available for $35/year for qualifying paid part-time educational work

  • Enhances professional credibility and visibility

  • Represents highly qualified status as an assessment professional
  • Permits use of “NCED” after name in reports and correspondence
  • Allows inclusion and recognition in the online NCED Registry
  • Provides a vehicle for potential salary supplement in the future (per state/district regulations)
  • Assures parents/school officials of rigorous standards for practice
  • Offers structured opportunities for ongoing professional development
  • Connects the practitioner with current trends/issues in the field of assessment

NCED’s Growing National Presence

The National Certification for Educational Diagnosticians (NCED) is proud to recognize Professional Certificate Holders who exemplify excellence in educational diagnostics. Earning the NCED credential reflects a commitment to the highest professional standards through demonstrated knowledge, successful completion of a rigorous national certification examination, and ongoing participation in continuing professional development.

Today, NCED Professional Certificate Holders are represented in 19 states, demonstrating the growing recognition and value of national certification throughout the profession. Each newly certified professional strengthens our national presence and reinforces our commitment to advancing excellence, promoting lifelong learning, and supporting high standards of practice for educational diagnosticians across the United States.

As our national network continues to expand, we look forward to welcoming Professional Certificate Holders from every state, further strengthening our nationwide community of certified educational diagnosticians and the profession we proudly serve.

News & Information

Letter from the NCED President

Letter from the NCED President

Hello Certificate Holders, I hope this post finds you and your family in good health and spirits. It is with great enthusiasm that I begin my year as President of NCED. I’d like to take a moment to welcome our newest NCED certificate holders who passed the...

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It is time to renew your NCED membership!

It is time to renew your NCED membership!

Hello Certificate Holder!  We know the start of the new school year can be quite busy, so we wanted to send out a friendly reminder that our membership year ended on June 30, 2022. Our current membership year runs from July 1, 2022- June 30, 2023. If you have not done...

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2022-2023 Board of Directors

2022-2023 Board of Directors

Congratulations to our 2022-2023 NCED Board of Directors! President: Cindy Simpson, Ph.D. Vice President: Michelle Norwood, M.Ed. Treasurer: Georgene Moon, M.Ed. Secretary: Becky Dieckmann, M.Ed. Exam Chair: Jana Cole, Ed.D. Exam Assist: Maribel Garza, ABD...

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Examination Test Sites

10/17/2026, Morristown, NJ

8:30 AM-11:30 AM

Morris County Public Library 

30 E. Hanover Avenue

Whippany, New Jersey 07981

 

10/19/2026, Baton Rouge, LA

L’Auberge Casino Hotel

 777 L’Auberge Ave.

Baton Rouge, LA 70820

 

11/5/2026, Spring (Houston Area), TX

9 AM- Noon

Holiday Inn Spring- The Woodlands 

24888 I-45N

Spring, Texas 77386

 

5/4/2027, Round Rock (Austin Area), TX

9 AM – Noon 

Kalahari Hotel and Resort

3001 Kalahari Blvd

Round Rock, TX 78665

Apparel and Gifts

                                      Board of Directors

Cindy Simpson, Ph.D.

President

Michelle Norwood, M.Ed.

Certificate Holder Chair

Donald Fontenot, M.Ed.

Treasurer

Jennifer Vasquez, M.Ed.

Secretary

Michelle Boughton, M.Ed.

Exam Chair

Suzanne Detraz, M.Ed.

Publicity Chair

Danielle Frith, Ph.D.

Professional Growth Chair

Amber Birchmier, M.Ed.

Professional Development Audit Chair

Advisors

Becky Dieckmann, M.Ed.

 Georgene Moon, M.Ed.

Ed Schultz, Ph.D. 

Joe Sutton, Ph.D.