QUALIFIED CERTIFIED DIPLOMAT
Qualified Certified Diplomat is recognition of ability, integrity and competence of qualified commercial diplomats and is open to individuals who can satisfy council with significant career progression.

Prospective candidates must be able to produce evidence of seniority, and proven significant professional and maturity of experience in commercial diplomatic practice, field or service, or any field which involves or promotes the advancement and professional practice of responsible commercial diplomacy.

Role of the Presidium
The admission to the rank and status of QCD (Qualified Certified Diplomat) is by nomination and recommendation of the Court Assembly for Accreditation, before the final approval by the Presidium.

Professional Accreditation:
Qualified Certified Diplomat (QCD)

QUALIFYING ROUTE
Option One

• Successful completion of the MQCE Essential Examinations, which cover all the essentially required approved vocational training-related comprehensive learning modules in the modular-courses that prospective practitioner-candidates should have successfully completed in the MQCP Preparation Programme, and
• Currently in a related-relevant sector-specific employment (mid-career or senior-level (executive/management) position or equivalent, for an aggregate of at least five years.

Option Two

• By recommendation and subsequent direct invitation ad personam by the Presidium

Qualified Certified Diplomat [QCD]

• Qualified Certified Diplomat are passionately driven accomplished learned individuals that are interested in the professional practice of commercial diplomacy, and wish to contribute to the advancement of the unique profession as well as the work of the Professional Body (ACCD),
• Qualified Certified Diplomat [QCD] are selected for 'Admission to Practice', and subsequent accreditation (renewable) annually.

Requirement(s):

1. Qualifying Programmes:

Successful completion of an approved, acceptable and authorised advanced postgraduate programme, covering all related-relevant sector-specific mandatory qualifying competency-based modules in the modular-courses that make up the MQCP Preparation Programme. The completed programme must cover the following approved, authorised and recommended vocational training-related comprehensive learning modular-courses upon which prospective practitioner-candidates shall be examined in the MQCE Essential Examinations

The successfully completed programme should be related-relevant, sector-specific and cover all the essentially required ACCD-CDRA mandatory qualifying skills-based modules in the modular-courses that make up the MQCP Preparation Programme, including, but not limited to the following:

• Understanding the Concept of Commercial Diplomacy 
• Understanding the Role of the Commercial Diplomat(ist)
• Understanding the Commercial Diplomatic Code
• Understanding the Global Trading System
• Accession to the WTO
• Introduction to International Trade Arbitration
• Dispute Settlement in the WTO
• Trade Policy Analysis and Process
• Defining a Trade-related Policy Issue
• Analyzing Trade-Related Domestic Policy
• Trade Facilitation, Negotiation and Promotion 
• Trade Finance 
• Trade in Services and Investment 
• Trade Remedies
• Panels (Panel Process)
• Appellate Review (The Process)
• Implementation and Enforcement 
• GATT 1994
• GATS
• Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
• Government Procurement
• Anti-Dumping Measures
• Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)
• Safeguard Measures
• Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
• Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)
• Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
• Textiles and Clothing
• Agriculture

2. Other Requirements

• successful completion of the MQCE Essential Examinations, which cover all the essentially required approved vocational training-related comprehensive learning modules in the modular-courses that prospective practitioner-candidates should have successfully completed, and make up the MQCP Preparation Programme, and
• currently in a related-relevant sector-specific employment (mid-career or senior-level (executive/management) position or equivalent, for an aggregate of at least three years.

Plus:

• ability to advance, promote, and advocate responsible commercial diplomacy and commercial diplomatic practice, 
• ability to contribute to, and actively support the vision-specific goals and mission-driven objectives of the Association; and
• ability to promote and make significant contribution to the development and advancement of professional commercial diplomatic practice.

For Accreditation and Registration Fees, please contact enquiries@chartereddiplomats.org.uk

Role of CDRA

The appointment to the rank and status of Qualified Certified Commercial Diplomatist is by recommendation, before final approval by the Presidium. Therefore, in order to be appointed to the rank and status of Qualified Certified Diplomatist, the prospective practitioner-candidate shall:

• be a Qualified Policy Advocate (QPA or QA)

Also:

• satisfy the Regulation Authority of his/her ability to bring dynamism, vigour and energy of a distinguished inspirational leader, with proven impeccable integrity to bear, in professional practise, policy advocacy, institutional management, dispensation of justice, and peace building, before final confirmation of appointment as Qualified Certified Commercial Diplomatist by the Commercial Diplomats Regulation Authority (ACCD-CDRA);
• currently be in employment (senior management/executive/responsible position) with proven substantial relevant practical experience (experience may have been gained in any organization in the public-private sector, civil, public-private and foreign commercial diplomatic service, multinational corporation, intergovernmental organization, ministry of trade and investment, commerce and industry, agriculture and natural resources, or diplomatic institution, and can be combined with study);
• submit an acceptable portfolio of proven significant related-relevant hands-on professional experience;
• submit 2 acceptable official letters (of recommendation and reference);
• be willing, and able to advocate, and safeguard the integrity of the commercial diplomatic profession, and the global professional body; and
• be willing, and able to actively support the mission, and objectives of the professional body.

Why Become an Accredited Commercial Diplomat(ist)?

• By enhancing their employability with an international qualification, certification and accreditation, practitioners will be distinguishing themselves as outstanding practitioners in the global commercial diplomatic sector-specific services,
• By improving their skills-specific knowledge on advocating responsible commercial diplomacy, advising on related-relevant sector-specific services and or counselling clients with cross-border operations and commercial diplomatic services, practitioners will be building their extraterritorial presence in the commercial diplomatic sector-specific services and market.
• By gaining new skills-based commercial-judicial diplomatic knowledge and techniques to benefit their personal and professional specialism-based expertise and development, they will be improving their earning and practicing potential as an extraterritorially qualified, recognised, certified and accredited commercial diplomat.

Role and Benefits of the MQCP

• MQCP Preparation Programme has been designed to prepare prospective practitioner-candidates for the MQCE Essential Examinations,
• Prospective, aspiring and existing experienced unaccredited professionals will have the opportunity to cover a range of core related-relevant sector-specific topics and to specialise in commercial diplomatic practice, depending on eligibility, suitability and qualification,
• MQCP Preparation Programme has been developed specifically for prospective practitioners and experienced participating-professionals, to be delivered by ACCD-CDRA's approved vocational education and training providers.

Professional Accreditation

• Raising Commercial Diplomatic Standards

Accreditation Status

• Qualified Certified Diplomat

Requirements of the Court Assembly
To be appointed to the rank and status of Qualified Certified Diplomat (QCD), the prospective, aspiring or existing experienced unaccredited candidate shall:

• have been invited and recommended ad personam by the Presidium

and, or

• satisfy the Presidium of his/her ability to bring dynamism, vigour and enthusiasm of a distinguished inspirational leader, with proven impeccable integrity to bear in professional practice, policy advocacy, and the resolution, settlement and management of disputes in international trade, investment and commerce, and capacity building, before final confirmation of accreditation status, admission into the commercial diplomatic profession, and registration as accredited commercial diplomat,
• have been granted exemption from or successfully completed all the ACCD-CDRA approved, authorised, recommended and mandatory vocational training-related comprehensive learning modules in the modular-courses that shall make up the MQCP Preparation Programme, on which prospective practitioner-candidates shall be examined, assessed and tested for understanding, skills-based knowledge, and competency,
• have been granted exemption from or successfully completed all the MQCE Essential Examinations, the mandatory qualifying vocational training-related comprehensive examinations which cover all related-relevant modules in the modular-courses that make up the Mandatory Qualifying Competency Programme (MQCP). Prospective practitioner-candidates shall be tested for understanding, skills-based knowledge, specialism-based expertise and competency,
• currently be in employment (senior executive/responsible position) with proven significant relevant-related practical experience or expertise, which may have been gained in any government, inter-governmental organization, legislature, multilateral organization, multinational corporation, diplomatic institution, or in the public-private sector, and can be combined with study),
• submit an acceptable portfolio of proven significant professional experience, with two acceptable official letters (of recommendation and reference),
• be willing, and able to promote, conserve, enhance, protect, strengthen and safeguard the commercial diplomatic integrity, professionalism and standards, including the integrity of the commercial diplomatic profession, and the global body; and
• be willing, and able to actively support the mission-driven objectives and vision-specific goals of the extraterritorial rules-based representative and professional regulatory body - ACCD.

Other Requirements
The prospective practitioner-candidate shall:

• present a pre-approved published (or publishable) advanced research project of high-quality standard on acceptable related-relevant subject or topic,
• submit 2 acceptable official letters (of recommendation and professional reference),
• submit certified copies of proof of qualification(s),
• be willing and able to promote, contribute to, and actively support the objectives of the global professional body, and
• be willing and able to safeguard the integrity of the commercial diplomatic profession, and the global Professional Body.

QUALIFIED CERTIFIED DIPLOMAT (QCD)
Symbol of Competency for Career Commercial Diplomats