GPCI and GPC Recognized by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)

On May 31, 2019 and renewed in June of 2024, the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) granted accreditation to the Grant Professionals Certification Institute (GPCI) and the GPC credential for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE). The NCCA Standards were created in 1977 and updated in 2016 to ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. GPCI joins an elite group of more than 130 organizations representing over 315 programs that have received and maintained NCCA accreditation. More information on the NCCA is available online at www.credentialingexcellence.org/NCCA.

The GPC is the first professional credential for individuals working in the grants field to be recognized by NCCA. The GPC credential, which has been in use since 2007, is the only experienced-based exam of its kind. GPCI maintains the ongoing validity of the credential through its job analysis, psychometric review, and ongoing monitoring of the GPC exam.

The GPC credential certifies grant professionals based on key competencies and discrete skills that include grant research, organization development, program design, grant application construction and submission, grant management, ethics, professionalism, and funder relationships. Click here to review the eligibility criteria and determine if you are eligible to sit for the GPC exam.

The exam was designed with accreditation in mind, that is, to meet the strict standards of the NCCA, which accredits credentials based on the highest quality standards in professional certification. It ensures the programs adherence to modern standards of practice in the certification industry.

Watch a short video explaining the value of accreditation. The Grant Professionals Certification Institute is proud to be a member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence (ICE) in show of our support of the credentialing community and our commitment to strive for excellence.