The NADSP E-Badge Academy
Get credit for competency.
With E-Badges through the online platform Web Courseworks, DSPs and their FLSs can submit specific examples, experience, and education that highlights their achievements and contributions to human services. Human service organizations can establish administrative accounts, while users can upload testimonials of their accomplishments for review by NADSP, and then share the resulting E-Badges with others. As badges are accumulated, each user is also working toward meeting the requirements for NADSP’s voluntary, national certifications.
Why are E-Badges important?
For DSPs and FLSs, this is the opportunity to demonstrate that you have an up-to-date and relevant skill set, highlight your professional achievements, and document the value that you bring to your employer and the people you support. NADSP E-Badges can also be grouped together to achieve NADSP’s DSP-I, DSP-II and DSP-III certifications for DSPs. For agencies, this is the way to support their professional development, and to show the impact that they are having on the people they support, not only in principle, but also in practice. Agencies also benefit because they can prominently display the competencies of their staff and the impact they are having.
What types of E-Badges can DSPs earn?
Following the acquisition of the Code of Ethics Commitment E-Badge, the NADSP E-Badge Academy is currently divided into two main categories of E-Badges. These two categories are focused on the CMS Core Competency Areas and hours of NADSP Accredited Education. In both types, there needs to be specific evidence and examples of how the DSP or FLS met the requirements for the badge. When the DSP or FLS demonstrates that their professional skill and value meet the specified set of criteria, they can earn an electronic badge to display that accomplishment. There are dozens of different E-Badges that can be earned through the Web Courseworks Catalog.
The NADSP E-Badge Academy: Participating Organizations
Dozens of organizations are actively engaged in the NADSP E-Badge Academy – demonstrating their support of the professional development of Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) and Frontline Supervisors (FLSs). These agencies are recognizing the positive effect that their employees are having on the lives of the people who are receiving their services.
E-Badge Academy Updates & Resources

The Year in Review – The Year Ahead

News: New York Credentialing Pilot Leadership Update

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Nicole Swartz

News: NADSP and New York State Announce Bonuses for Incumbent Direct Support Professionals and Frontline Supervisors
What are the next steps?
- Your organization should complete the E-Badge Academy Application Form to learn more about purchasing an E-Badge Academy subscription. Please note that individual support staff should not apply for the E-Badge Academy. It is intended for agency administrators who manage numerous internal employees and are interested in providing access to the NADSP E-Badge Academy.
- Once you have submitted the E Badge Academy General Interest Form someone from NADSP will contact you to answer any questions and to provide you more information.
- Upon agreement by your organization, NADSP will send you a contract to purchase the E-Badge Academy for the number of identified users, detailed in our Pricing Guide. An invoice for the purchase price will be sent once the signed contract is received.
- With receipt of payment, NADSP will arrange for training of local administrators to enroll users as well as training to help users get started in the process of applying for E-Badges.
- After users are enrolled in Web Courseworks, they may start to apply for badges, starting with the Code of Ethics Commitment E-Badge; share their accomplishments with others to demonstrate the impact they are having on people supported; and seek out more E-Badges to build upon their online folio and continuing their professional development.
- As each user accumulates E-Badges, they can use them to apply for certifications from NADSP at the DSP-I, DSP-II, and DSP-III levels.
E-Badge Academy General Inquiry Form
If you have general questions, comments, or need assistance regarding the NADSP E-Badge Academy, you can fill out the form below and click the ‘submit’ button. After sharing your inquiry, NADSP will contact you as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I set up a NADSP E-Badge Academy account?
What is the first E-Badge that I need earn?
How do I demonstrate participation in NADSP webinars?
How long does it take to apply for an E-Badge?
How is confidentiality protected in the NADSP E-Badge Academy?
What are the differences between NADSP Certification through the E-Badge Academy and portfolio-based credentialing?
What are the requirements for DSP-I Certification through the NADSP E-Badge Academy?
- The Code of Ethics Commitment E-Badge
- The 50 hours of Accredited Education E-Badge
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Crisis Prevention and Intervention competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Safety competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Person-Centered Practices competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Health and Wellness competency area
What are the requirements for DSP-II Certification through the NADSP E-Badge Academy?
- The DSP-I E-Badge
- The 100 hours of Accredited Education E-Badge
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Evaluation and Observation competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Communication competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Professionalism and Ethics competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Community Inclusion and Networking competency area
What are the requirements for DSP-III Certification through the NADSP E-Badge Academy?
- The DSP-II E-Badge
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Empowerment and Advocacy competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Community Living Skills and Supports competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Education, Training, and Self-Development competency area
- At least one Core Competency E-Badge from the Cultural Competence competency area
How do I apply for re-certification?
NADSP Certification (DSP-I, DSP-II, DSP-III, FLS) requires recertification every two years. To initiate your re-certification, you must complete the Renewal Application Form. After you complete the form, you will be directed to a payment page to submit your payment for your certification.
How will the NADSP Code of Ethics be incorporated into the E-Badge Academy?
Can providers continue to use a cohort model, as with the traditional portfolio-based certification program?
Who reviews the E-Badge submissions? How are reviewers trained and evaluated?
NADSP E-Badge Academy Earners Of The Month

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Steven Valentine

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Racheal Ismail

NADSP E-Badge Earner of the Month: Chelsy Widmer
