Delegated Examining Certification Program
| Target Audience: HR professionals | Tuition: $365-$1140 | Location: Varies |
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View course schedule below.
Overview
The Delegated Examining Certification Program was developed for human resources professionals who are required to independently perform competitive examining activities for federal hiring. The program consists of an optional training course and required assessment, which aim to ensure these HR professionals have the necessary knowledge and skills to carry out their work in accordance with all laws, regulations, and best practices. The DE Certification program requires all HR practitioners involved in DE activities to pass a comprehensive DE Certification Assessment.
To register for the DE Training and/or the DE Certification Assessment, submit the DE Training and Assessment Registration Form.
Schedule
| Type | Date | Time Zone | Location | Instructional Hours | Tuition |
| Certification Assessment | Varies | Varies | In-person (preview a list of testing centers) |
n/a | $365 |
| Training | March 16-20, 2026 | Mountain | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | April 20-24, 2026 | Eastern | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | May 11-15, 2026 | Central | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | June 8-12, 2026 | Eastern | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | July 13-17, 2026 | Eastern | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | August 17-21, 2026 | Central | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | August 24-28, 2026 | Eastern | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | September 14-18, 2026 | Eastern | Online | 28 | $1140 |
| Training | September 21-25, 2026 | Central | Online | 28 | $1140 |
Learn more
You can find answers to specific questions related to the Delegated Examining Certification Program on the DE FAQ page. For additional questions, contact register@opm.gov.
Register
Resources
- OPM's Delegated Examining Operations Handbook: a 318-page Delegated Examining guide for federal agency examining offices.
- Delegated Examining Certification Preparation Toolkit
- DE Certification Assessment Information Sheet
- CHCO Memo - Delegated Examining Certification Checklists for Employees and Supervisors and Engagement After Failure: includes an employee checklist, more sample DE scenario questions, and a supervisory evaluation of employee readiness
- Sample DE Scenario Questions
- Delegated Examining Program Frequently Asked Questions
- OPM's Competitive Hiring Page

