The primary purpose of the Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) Certification 2.0 Program is to establish a framework to guide Department of Defense (DOD) security cooperation professional development. A second purpose is to provide a consistent, disciplined mechanism to ensure National Defense Strategy (NDS) objectives are achieved through appropriate education, training, and development in nine functional areas.
The most significant changes embodied in Certification 2.0 include completely new, enhanced curriculum and a requirement to properly code SCW positions in manpower systems of record to reflect these enhancements. The following changes were also made:
- Adding Capability Development as a core competency
- Replacing 5 Areas of Concentration (AOCs) with 9 Functional Areas
- Redefining the certification proficiency levels (Foundational, Practitioner, Expert, and Executive)
- Prescribing proficiency levels largely by military rank and civilian grade
Quote from NDS Implementation Report
Implementation of the NDS, especially integrated deterrence with allies and partners, will not be possible without a fully professionalized workforce.
Program Overview
The Certification 2.0 Program, an element of the DOD Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program (SCWDP) prescribed by 10 U.S.C. § 384, is required to ensure DOD personnel assigned to statutorily defined Security Cooperation Workforce (SCW) positions have the SCW competency-based training and experience necessary to carry out assigned Security Cooperation responsibilities.
The authoritative document defining Certification 2.0 requirements is the Interim Implementation Guidelines for the DOD Security Cooperation Workforce Program 2.0. There will be a forthcoming update to DoD Instruction (DoDI) 5132.15, "Implementation of the Security Cooperation Workforce Certification Program," dated May 7, 2021.
Four Elements of Certification 2.0
Quote from Interim Implementation Guidelines for the DOD SCW Program 2.0
Now is the appropriate time to build on the foundation of the past to continue the professionalization of the security cooperation workforce...Certification 2.0 is more academically robust, more effectively aligns security cooperation competencies to functional areas, and fulfills the intent of NDAA 2017 and 10 U.S.C. 384.
Getting Started With Certification
SCW members should familiarize themselves with the Certification 2.0 program using the Certification 2.0 FAQs and identify their security cooperation position code, which includes assigned functional areas and certification proficiency levels.
SCW Coding
All security cooperation positions must be coded in their manpower systems of record. Proper coding will ensure that SCW members take the competency-based courses that best meet the requirements of their assigned positions. The Security Cooperation Position Coding Guide has been provided to help Components identify their SCW members functional areas and certification proficiency levels.
The Certification 2.0 Proficiency-Level Waiver Request process allows position owners to propose upgrades and downgrades to prescribed proficiency-levels of positions within the SCW. Additionally, Certification 2.0 Waiver Process Map illustrates the waiver process, and the Action Memo must be completed by the position owners to recommend and route a proficiency-level waiver.
SCW members should contact their supervisor or organization’s Component Certification Authority (CCA) to verify their position’s SC code.
Learn About the Certification 2.0 Program
As directed in 10 U.S.C. § 384 and by the NDS the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) Director, the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) initiated a rolling start of Certification 2.0 on September 30, 2023.
Beginning October 1, 2024, SCW members will be required to complete required certification courses by the following deadlines:
- Foundational-level certification: One year to complete all required Foundational-level courses. Note, all SCW members require at least Foundational level certification, including those designated in the Support Enablers functional area.
- Practitioner-level certification: Two years to complete all required Practitioner-level courses, including core requirements, primary functional area requirements, and secondary functional area requirements.
- Expert-level certification: Two years to complete all required Expert-level courses, including core requirements, primary functional area requirements, and secondary functional area requirements.
For personnel who join the SCW after October 1, 2024, their timelines will begin on the day that they enter the SCW, which will be indicated by the DOD Component linking an individual to a coded SCW billet/position in the appropriate Military Department or Fourth Estate manpower system of record.
*Note, Certification 2.0 is a tailored approach according to proficiency level. For example, Practitioners do not need to complete foundation first, only Level 2, Practitioner, requirements.
Register for Courses
Registration for DSCU Certification 2.0 courses has begun and SCW members can find available courses on the DSCU Course Catalog. Due to capacity, demand, and instructor availability some course dates will not be available immediately.
DSCU created the Certification 2.0 Registration Fact Sheet to assist with course registration. The document details important information about SC Codes, myDSCU accounts, how to register for classes and certification timelines. The fact sheet will direct SCW members to the DSCU Course Catalog, and will aid in course registration according to a billet’s SC Code and proficiency level requirements.
Ask Questions
Many questions and additional details about Certification requirements and answers to common questions in the Certification 2.0 FAQs document. This FAQ also includes definitions of key terms, describes the SCW competencies, outlines the nine new functional areas, explains what courses count towards certification and much more.
A few key questions answered in the FAQ document can also be found below:
Security cooperation education, training and certification underwent a year-long reevaluation, which allowed for refinement of the DSCU curriculum and DOD certification requirements. This assessment resulted in a completely revamped program, Certification 2.0. The new certification requirements are tailored to the SCW’s competency needs, the current strategic reality, and answer tasks set forth by Congress and the NDS.
All members of the SCW—which includes members of the armed forces and civilian employees of the DOD who perform Security Cooperation functions—are required to be identified in the manpower systems of record and fully participate in the Certification Program. Security cooperation certification is a condition of employment for civilians and an order for service members. 10 U.S.C Section 384(j) (1)-(6) defines the DOD SCW.
All security cooperation positions must be coded in their manpower systems of record. Proper coding will ensure that SCW members take the competency-based courses that best meet the requirements of their assigned positions. DSCU has provided an updated Security Cooperation Position Coding Guide to assist the Military Departments, Fourth Estate, and other organizations with coding the SCW correctly. DOD Components should conduct an initial review of certification levels and ensure positions are coded in the appropriate Military Department or Fourth Estate manpower system of record by March 31, 2024.
SCW members are encouraged to begin their required courses—at the appropriate level—as they are made available by DSCU. DSCU will announce available courses on this website.
- Foundational-level courses will be offered starting Q2 FY24
- Practitioner-level courses will be offered starting Q3 FY24
- Expert-level courses will be offered by October 1, 2024
Beginning October 1, 2024, SCW members will be required to complete required certification courses.
The new proficiency levels within Certification 2.0 are Level 1 Foundational, Level 2 Practitioner, Level 3 Expert, and Level 4 Executive. Certification 2.0 requires all members of the workforce, including new and long-standing members, to obtain appropriate professional, proficiency-based certification primarily determined by rank/grade.
Many questions and additional details about Certification requirements and answers to common questions in the Certification 2.0 FAQs document. This FAQ also includes definitions of key terms, describes the SCW competencies, outlines the nine new functional areas, explains what courses count towards certification and much more.
Functional Areas
(A) Policy and Resourcing (Aligns with previous AoC 1)
(B) Foreign Military Sales and Financing (Aligns with previous AoC 2)
(C) Security Cooperation Organization (Aligns with previous AoC 3)
(D) Support Enablers *FM, HR, Legal, IT (Aligns with previous AoC 4)
(E) Acquisition (Aligns with previous AoC 5)
(F) Building Partner Capacity/DoD Train and Equip (New)
(G) Advise, Train, and Education (New)
(H) State Partnership Program (New)
(I) Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (New)
For More Information
- SCW members with questions about the Certification 2.0 Program, please contact: dsca.ncr.fo.mbx.scwdd@mail.mil
- SCW members with questions about DSCU courses, please contact: dsca.ncr.dscu.mbx.dscu-cao@mail.mil
- SCW members needing assistance with DSCU course registration or myDSCU, please contact: dsca.ncr.dscu.list.registrars@mail.mil
- Security cooperation stakeholders or members of the media who have a query, please contact: dsca.dscu.info@mail.mil