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Certification 2.0

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 updates to Title 10 U.S. Code Section 384 in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) of Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 are achieved through the 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
The Secretary of Defense shall carry out a program to be known as the "Department of Defense Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program" to oversee the development and management of a professional workforce supporting security cooperation programs and activities of the Department of Defense.
- Tile 10 U.S. Code Section 384

Program Overview

The Certification 2.0 Program, an element of the DOD Security Cooperation Workforce Development Program (SCWDP) prescribed by Title 10 U.S. Code Section 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

graphic of certification 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.
- Interim Implementation Guidelines for the DOD SCW Program 2.0

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 updates to Title 10 U.S. Code Section 384 in NDAA of FY 2024 the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) initiated a rolling start of Certification 2.0 on September 30, 2023. 

Beginning October 1, 2025, 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.  

Certification 2.0 courses completed in 2024 remain valid for Certification 2.0 credit to include successful completion of “Beta Test” courses.

For personnel who join the SCW after October 1, 2025, 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 courses first, only Level 2, Practitioner, requirements.


Register for Courses 

Many DSCU courses are now available. SCW members can register and 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:

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