ICCP CDP
Certified Data Professional (CDP)
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ExploreAbout this exam
The Certified Data Professional (CDP) is one of the certifications listed by the ICCP (the Institute for Certification of Computer Professionals), a non-profit organization founded in 1973 that describes itself as advancing the computer science, information systems, and information technology professions. The CDP sits within a portfolio that also includes data-adjacent credentials such as the Business Data Management Professional, Certified Big Data Professional, Certified Business Intelligence Professional, Certified Data Scientist, and Data Governance & Stewardship Professional. The CDP is aimed at experienced data practitioners - the ICCP publishes a certification levels and requirements table that places its senior credentials at five or more years of technical experience with a BA/BSc or higher and a current position at senior manager, CDO, CIO, CTO, or VP level; candidates should confirm the exact level that applies to the CDP before registering. The exam is delivered as a written examination of 90 minutes, and the ICCP's published qualifying grade for its exam-based certifications is 70%. Preparation should combine the ICCP's own study materials - sample examinations, examination guides, and examinations and outlines - with hands-on review of data management, warehousing and business intelligence, governance, and analytics practice. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the ICCP.
What you'll study
About ICCP CDP preparation
How long is the CDP exam and what score do I need to pass?
The ICCP lists its examinations as 90 minutes each, and candidates may sit one, two, or three exams. The published qualifying grade for the exam-based certification levels is 70%. Treat 70% as a floor rather than a target and aim well above it in practice, since the passing grade is applied to the whole exam.
What does the CDP exam cover?
The ICCP does not publish a CDP-specific topic breakdown in the material available here. Broadly, the credential sits among the ICCP's data certifications, alongside the Business Data Management Professional, Certified Business Intelligence Professional, Certified Data Scientist, and Data Governance & Stewardship Professional. Check the ICCP's Examinations & Outlines page for the authoritative outline before you build a study plan.
Is the exam multiple choice or written?
The ICCP describes the format as a written examination of 90 minutes per exam. The source material does not state the item type, number of questions, or whether it is delivered on paper or on a computer. Confirm the delivery format with the ICCP directly rather than assuming a multiple-choice format.
How hard is the CDP?
The ICCP positions its senior data credentials for practitioners with five or more years of technical experience and a bachelor's degree or higher, currently working at senior manager, CDO, CIO, CTO, or VP level. If you are early in your career, expect the breadth of data management, governance, and analytics to be the hard part rather than any single topic.
What happens if I fail - can I retake it?
The source material available here does not describe a retake policy, a waiting period, or a retake fee. The ICCP does publish a Certification Renewal page and a Lapsed Credentials page, which address keeping or restoring a credential you already hold. Contact the ICCP office directly for retake rules before you schedule.
How long is the certification valid, and how do I renew?
Validity is not stated in the available source material. The ICCP does maintain a Certification Renewal section covering renewal fees and the submission of professional development education credits, plus guidance on lapsed credentials. Plan on earning PD credits after you pass and check the current renewal fee schedule on the ICCP site.
What study materials does the ICCP itself provide?
The ICCP site lists Sample Examinations, Examination Guides, and an Examinations & Outlines section, along with Learning Outcome Assessments and Subject Outlines aimed at university programs. These are the most defensible sources for question style and topic scope. Use them before third-party material, which may not track the current exam.
In what order should I study the four domains?
Start with data management, because modeling, integration, and quality decisions underpin everything else. Move to data warehousing and business intelligence to see how those structures serve reporting, then governance and stewardship to learn who owns and controls the data. Finish with data science and analytics, where statistical and model-building questions assume the earlier foundations.
What are the most common ways candidates fail?
Two patterns dominate. First, memorizing tool features instead of principles - the exam rewards reasoning about trade-offs, not vendor trivia. Second, skipping governance and stewardship because it feels less technical; ownership, stewardship roles, policy, and metadata are easy marks that unprepared candidates leave behind. Also watch timing: 90 minutes is unforgiving if you linger on one exam.
How do I register and what does it cost?
The source material does not state a fee or a registration deadline for the CDP. The ICCP lists a Get Certified section and a Certification Roadmap, and its office can be reached at [email protected] or 1.800.843.8227. Confirm current pricing, scheduling, and any workshop requirement with the ICCP before committing.