History
In Ontario, the career development sector has decades of history supporting members of the profession from diverse fields.
1990
OACDP (Ontario Alliance of Career Development Practitioners) formed, with several Chapters.
2002
The Canadian Standards and Guidelines for Career Development were launched.
2004
Alberta and BC began certifying Career Development Practitioners followed by New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
2011
The Stewardship Group began to develop a certification model for practitioners in Ontario.
2014
​The Career Development Practitioners Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO) was incorporated and began to offer Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) certification in Ontario.
Supporting Career Professionals in Ontario
Beginning in 2014, the Career Development Practitioners Certification Board of Ontario (CDPCBO) began offering professionals the opportunity to apply for and obtain Certified Career Development Practitioner (CCDP) designation in Ontario.
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The following year in 2015, The Ontario Association of Career Development (OACM) incorporated as a professional association to offer education, professional development, and peer support opportunities for career professionals.
2015
The Ontario Association of Career Development (OACM) incorporated as a professional association.
2021
​The Canadian Career Development Foundation (CCDF) launched the Pan-Canadian Competency Framework for Career Development Professionals.
The Journey to National Certification
Canada has been on an exciting journey toward a national certification and competency framework for career development practitioners, focusing on professionalizing the field across every province.
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The Pan-Canadian Competency Framework (2021) and the National Career Development Certification (2024) have now established standardized skills, ethical guidelines, and best practices, ensuring consistency and credibility across the profession.
These initiatives enhance public trust, support professional growth, and strengthen the career development sector nationwide.
2023
CDPCBO members voted at their AGM to transition from a certifying body to a professional association after the launch of national certification.
2024
​OACM members voted at their AGM to merge with CDPCBO as a unified professional community of practice.
2025
The National Career Development Certification launches.
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Career Development Professionals of Ontario (CDPOntario) launches as a unified professional association.
Recognizing it would no longer be the provider of CCDP certification, CDPCBO conducted an extensive review of other career-related associations and surveyed its members about its future direction.
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In 2023, CDPCBO voted to transition into a professional association for career professionals in Ontario, without certification responsibilities. CDPCBO also engaged OACM, a strategic partner, in discussions about the future.
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Sharing a vision for a unified professional association, and with the strong support of its respective members, the united Career Development Professionals of Ontario (CDPOntario) launched in 2025.